We absolutely loved our time in Krabi!
It’s a stunning province in southern Thailand known for its breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear waters, and limestone cliffs.
However, there are so many things to do in Krabi that planning a perfect itinerary can be overwhelming – we know, we’ve been there!
So, to help you plan your trip, we crafted this 3-5 day Krabi itinerary with all the best things to do in Krabi for every type of traveler with the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. The best part is that you can easily adjust it to your preferences. Plus, it’s perfect for first-time visitors to Krabi.
Visiting soon? – Browse the best Krabi Travel Resources
MUST DO KRABI EXPERIENCES – book on Viator or GetYourGuide
- Iconic Maya Bay, Phi Phi & Four Islands Trip 💫
- Hong Island Day Trip – lagoon, beach & viewpoint
- Krabi Jungle Tour – highlights
WHERE TO STAY: Read our Guide to best areas & hotels in Krabi, or choose one of our hand-picked best Krabi Hotels.
- Best Luxury Hotel – Rayavadee Resort
- Best Mid-range Hotel – Navinda Hotel & Resort
- Best Budget Hotel – TAN Hostel
DATA: This is the best Thailand eSIM to stay connected – click to get 5% off with code SHIPPEDAWAY)
TRANSPORT
- Domestic flights / international flights to Krabi
- Affordable bus, ferry & taxi to Krabi
- Rent a car / book a driver
INSURANCE: We recommend Heymondo insurance. As our reader, you get 5% off the price. – click to get the deal
Perfect 3-5 Days Krabi Itinerary for first timers
Depending on what you want from your Krabi trip, 3 to 5 full days is the perfect amount of time to explore this area.
Our Krabi itinerary is easily adjustable, so it’s perfect for every type of traveler. You can easily remove or add a day or choose whether you want it to be more relaxed or more active; there are plenty of options for both!
If you’re staying longer than 5 days or are looking for alternative activities, definitely check out our 26 things to do in Krabi travel guide for even more ideas on what to see and do.
Good to know:
If you want to know more about specific Krabi attractions listed in this 3-5 day Krabi itinerary, read our Krabi Travel Guide.
Day 1: Discovering Railay Beach, Viewpoints, Caves, Climbing
As the first thing on your Krabi itinerary, we suggest visiting the beautiful Railay Beach. It is one of Krabi and Thailand’s highlights for many travelers, and it was for us as well.
The only way to get to Railay Beach is by boat. There are regular longtail boats departing from Ao Nang to Railay, and they cost 200 baht ($6) one way. Read more about getting to Railay Beach in our transportation guide.
Railay Peninsula offers many things to do, not just the Railay Beach. And the best thing is, they are free!
If you’re into relaxation, we suggest visiting Phra Nang Beach. In our opinion, it’s a bit nicer for swimming and sunbathing than Railay Beach.
If you’re up for a more active time while at the Railay Peninsula, we suggest hiking to the Railay Viewpoint and Princess Lagoon (read our guide before visiting).
After that, you can also hike to Bat Cave Viewpoints, which is probably our favorite thing to do in Railay. Read our guide to Bat Cave Viewpoints.
And if you’re looking for something unique to do on your Krabi itinerary, rock climbing is a perfect choice! Krabi is one of the most famous places for rock climbing for all levels, from beginners to advanced, so this is a great opportunity to try it. We suggest taking a half-day rock climbing tour (preferably in the morning), which still leaves you with a half-day in Railay in the afternoon.
- Read our full Railay guide here.
After watching the sunset at Railay Beach, return to Ao Nang. The area gets alive during the night, with lots of restaurants, bars, and markets everywhere. Many beach bars also have live music and fire shows.
Need a reliable mobile package to stay online in Thailand?
We recommend affordable eSIM packages from Thailandesim, where you also get a local number for ride-hailing and other services.
Tip: Shipped Away readers get 5% off with the code SHIPPEDAWAY
Also read:
Best Thailand SIM Cards
Day 2: Four Islands and Phi Phi Islands
Let’s go with a classic (but with a spin! 😁) on the second day of your Krabi itinerary!
Go on an exciting island-hopping adventure to explore the famous Phi Phi Islands and the beautiful, so-called “local” Four Islands. This perfect combo tour takes you to these two of Thailand’s most famous areas.
You’ll visit the well-known Maya Bay, famous from the movie ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo DiCaprio, and a few other highlights of the Phi Phi Islands, such as Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, and Phi Phi Don (in some tours).
At the end of the day, you’ll watch the sunset at one of the Four Islands. Usually, that’s Koh Poda or Koh Tup Island, depending on your tour.
TRAVEL TIP
If you want a more relaxed time, we suggest booking this sunset tour to the Four Islands with a bioluminescent night snorkel (very cool!). This tour is more relaxed and aims to avoid the crowds of the Four Islands by not stopping directly at the hotspots. We absolutely loved it! You can read more about it here.
No time to read now?
Pin it for later
Day 3: Hong Island Day trip
On day three of this 3-5 days Krabi itinerary, visit the stunning Hong Island. This was one of our favorite Krabi day trips!
Hong Island is famous for its stunning viewpoint, unique Hong Lagoon, and beautiful beaches with clear waters.
Depending on the tour you book, you can also kayak in this area.
If your budget permits, we suggest booking a private luxury boat for this trip. We did this and don’t regret it! Having a more personalized experience was awesome.
TIP: The trip to Hong Island can be a half-day or a full day. We did a half-day one to squeeze in more Krabi exploration on the same day, but we highly recommend a full-day Hong trip. That will give you more time to enjoy this stunning area, and you won’t feel rushed. A full day also gives you more time to chill at the beautiful beach on the island.
Need more Thailand 🇹🇭 inspiration?
North Thailand: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai
Central Thailand: Bangkok – Floating Markets – Dragon Temple
South Thailand: Phuket – Phi Phi Islands – Krabi
Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui – Koh Tao – Koh Phangan
Day 4: Emerald Pool, Hot Springs & Tiger Temple
On day four of the Krabi trip itinerary, it’s time to visit some mainland highlights.
While Krabi offers absolutely amazing island hopping trips, there are also some pretty awesome things on the Krabi mainland.
The most popular spots and also the most worth visiting are Krabi Hot Springs, Emerald and Blue Pools, and Tiger Temple (Wat Tham Suea).
Getting around on Day 4
For this day in Krabi, we suggest renting a car or a scooter and driving to these areas, as this option gives you the most freedom.
A scooter rental in Krabi costs around 200-300 baht daily, while Krabi car rentals start at 20+ USD daily.
- Read next: Guide to Driving in Thailand as a Tourist
However, be prepared for lots of driving as these spots are located a bit further away from the best areas and hotels to stay in Krabi. Getting to Krabi’s Hot Springs from Ao Nang Beach takes around one hour and around 15 minutes from the hot springs to the Emerald Pool. From there, it takes around 1 hour to Tiger Cave Temple.
If you’re not comfortable driving in Thailand, you can also hire a car with a driver for a day or take this favorite Jungle Tour.
Krabi Hot Springs
Start your day early and head to Krabi Hot Springs first, which opens at 8:30 a.m. One of the main highlights of the natural Krabi Hot Springs is its waterfall flowing into a river. However, there are also three constructed thermal pools that can give you a jacuzzi-like bath experience.
The entrance tickets cost 200 THB ($6) for adults and 100 THB for children.
Emerald Pool and Blue Pool
Then, head to the Emerald Pool and Blue Pool, both part of a forest park with short nature trails that lead to the pools.
Emerald Pool is a natural pool with crystal-clear emerald-green water, perfect for a refreshing dip. Blue Pool is a picture-perfect spot where the pool water is heated naturally by the Earth’s geothermal energy, reaching temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius. Needless to say, you can’t swim in this one.
The Emerald and Blue Pools entrance fee is 400 THB ($12) for adults and 200 THB for children.
Note: The Blue Pool opens later (from 10 AM) than the Emerald Pool and is closed in the period from May to October.
Tiger Cave Temple
After you’ve finished bathing and chilling in the pools, head back to Krabi town and drive to the famous Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea). Challenge yourself to climb the 1237 steps to the top of the temple, which is perched atop a limestone cliff and offers stunning panoramic views of Krabi’s landscapes.
Tip: This is an active temple, so follow Thailand temple etiquette (covered knees and shoulders).
The temple is free to visit. But be careful of mischievous monkeys on the way up. They might make you pay by stealing something from you and then asking for a bribe to return it. Ensure all your valuables, food, and bottles are safely stored inside your backpack.
Night Market
Once back in town, finish the night with a dinner at the great Krabi Night Market. You’ll find affordable Thai street food, snacks, and drinks here. If you already ate before getting to the market, at least drop in for some banana pancakes! That was our very touristic go-to snack in Krabi. Yum!
Day 5: Relaxing on the Beach, Other Activities, or Hiking
On the last day of your Krabi itinerary, you can choose to relax on the beach, go hiking, or participate in other fun activities like kayaking.
The best hike in Krabi is definitely the one to Dragon’s Crest (Ngon Nak Nature Trail). This 4 km hike is tough but well worth it. It can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete.
Once at the summit, you are rewarded with sweeping views of the Krabi coastline, the far-off islands, and limestone hills.
The Dragon Crest Mountain trail is open from 8 am to 2 pm daily, and the entrance fee is 200 THB ($6) for adults and half for children.
If you’re not into hiking, you can check out some of the other great activities that Krabi offers, such as kayaking in mangrove forests or the clearwater canals and lakes.
You can also join a cooking class to learn how to make all the awesome Thai dishes you tried on this Krabi trip.
If you only want to relax, choose one of the best Krabi beaches. Our favorites are Phra Nang Cave Beach and Tubkaek Beach.
Recommended Experiences
Where to stay in Krabi
Check our hand-picked list of the top 3 Krabi hotels for all budgets! Or browse through all Krabi hotels.
Tip: If you want more information on where to base yourself, read our Where to stay in Krabi guide, with info on each area and the best hotel recommendations for all budgets.
Also, check our dedicated best Railay hotels guide or Ao Nang hotels guide to find where to stay in Krabi’s two best areas.
The top 3 Krabi hotels for all budgets
Rayavadee – Best Luxury Hotel in Krabi
Hidden 5-star resort with two-story pavilions, luxurious villas with private pools, four restaurants, and an activities center.
Navinda Krabi – Best Mid-Range Hotel in Krabi
Within walking distance of Nopparat Thara, the hotel boasts contemporary rooms, a restaurant with all-day dining, and a rooftop infinity pool.
TAN Hostel – Best Budget Hotel in Krabi
A top-rated 2-star hostel comprising dorms, private rooms, and a café serving delicious food and drinks, including roasted coffee.
Krabi Travel Tips
Booking tours and activities
If you’re planning your Krabi trip during the peak months for Krabi travel (November to April), booking tours and activities ahead of time is a smart choice. This way, you can secure a place on popular tours like the favorite Four Islands Tour, the famous Phi Phi Island hopping Tour, and the Hong Island trip.
We suggest booking your tours and activities online on GetYourGuide, Viator, or Klook. These are the platforms we use as they offer the best selection of tours and usually have a free cancelation policy, which is great in case our plans change.
The best time to visit Krabi
The absolute best time to visit Krabi is from November to April, during the dry season. During this time, you can enjoy perfect weather for outdoor activities: lots of sunshine, minimal rainfall, and calm seas. The hottest months are March and April, the same as in Cambodia and similar to Vietnam.
The busiest months in Krabi are December to February, which have the highest prices.
Krabi’s rainy season is from August until October, and we wouldn’t recommend visiting during this time due to rough sea conditions and lots of rain.
All the months in between (April to August) are transitional periods during which you can expect a bit of everything. We once visited Krabi during this time and experienced a mix of rain and sunshine. But prices will be lower during this time.
- Also read: Best time to visit Thailand (Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
Our itinerary is based on the perfect time to spend in Krabi for first-timers: three to five days. This gives you enough time to see the main attractions, join Krabi’s best island hopping tours, and enjoy the beaches.
Krabi can be a very affordable place to visit. You can enjoy delicious street food, find budget-friendly places to stay (usually homestays), and use cheap transportation. There are also many activities and tourist attractions that are free to visit, especially Railay Peninsula and Krabi Town. Some tours, like the local “Four Islands” one, can be done affordable if you take a shared tour. So yes, it’s possible to do Krabi on a budget.
Krabi is a dream for people who love adventure. You can try rock climbing on the limestone cliffs, kayaking through mangrove forests, jungle trekking, diving, and more. This area is perfect for these experiences, so your Krabi itinerary can be full of adventure activities.
Krabi is a great place for people who love Thai food. You should try fresh seafood at Ao Nang Beach, many delicious variations of Thai curry, and the classic Pad Thai.
Booking Krabi airport transfer online in advance is the easiest way to get from Krabi airport to your hotel. However, you can also use public transport to get to your hotel. It’s about a 20-minute ride to Krabi Town and around 40 minutes to Ao Nang Beach. We recommend reading our transportation guide if you’re staying in the Railay Peninsula.
Have any other questions about Krabi?
Read our complete Krabi Travel guide!
Thank you for reading our 3-5 days Krabi itinerary. We hope we helped you plan your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below! 🥰 And make sure to read our other Thailand guides.
Continue planning your Thailand trip
Find a list of over 60 travel guides to Thailand’s South, Central, and North.
Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai
Phi Phi Islands – Maya Bay – Koh Hong
Koh Samui – Koh Tao – Koh Phangan
Similan Islands – Surin Islands
