My route
Sign in
WorldThailandKrabiRailay BeachMy routeRoute

Railay Beach, Krabi

Railay West: longtail boats in shallow turquoise water off the sand, jungle-covered cliffs on the right
Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free — public beaches
Hours
Beach — 24 hours; boats ≈ 8:00–18:00
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
3 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Longtail from Ao Nang
About 100 baht per person, ≈ 15 minutes; more after 18:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Swimming
At Railay West and Phra Nang; Railay East is mangroves — no swimming
Landing
A 'wet landing' — into knee-deep water from the boat
Rock climbing
Schools and gear rental at Railay and Tonsai
Best time
November–April; boats run less often May–October
Coordinates
8.01141, 98.83653YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

Boat onlythere's no road — cliffs cut the peninsula off from the mainland
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
4 areasPhra Nang, Railay West, Railay East and Tonsai
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
1970sthe first tourists — backpackers — began arriving
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Rock climbingRailay's limestone walls draw climbers from around the world
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Mangrovescover the east shore, which isn't suitable for swimming
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
≈ 15 minutesby longtail from Ao Nang
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Diamond Cavea cave with a walkway inside, on the trail to Tonsai
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Ferriesrun from Railay West to Phi Phi and Phuket
SourceEnglish Wikipedia

What is Railay?

Railay is a small peninsula between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Tall limestone cliffs cut it off from the mainland, so you can get there only by boat. That's what makes it special: there are no cars, and the beaches lie beneath sheer, jungle-covered walls.

The peninsula has four parts. Railay West is the main beach, with white sand and a short walking street of cafés. Railay East has the pier, mangroves and a boardwalk of restaurants and bars. Tonsai is for climbers and backpackers. Phra Nang is the cave beach at the southern tip.

Boats and prices

From Ao Nang Beach, shared longtails take about 15 minutes and cost about 100 baht per person; the boat leaves once 8–10 passengers have gathered. After 18:00 the fare goes up. Boats also run from Krabi Town and Ao Nam Mao pier to Railay East.

Landing at Railay West is a 'wet landing': the boat pulls up to the beach and you step into knee-deep water. Bring a waterproof bag. Return boats leave from the same beach; check the time of the last one.

What to see and do

  • Railay West beach — white sand with cliffs on both sides.
  • Phra Nang Beach and its cave — 10 minutes on foot.
  • Rock climbing — schools for beginners and experts.
  • Diamond Cave — a walkway inside the cave on the way to Tonsai.
  • The viewpoint and lagoon — a steep trail with ropes.
  • Sunset on Railay West.

How to get to Railay

Tap a route to highlight it on the map.

Loading the map…

on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

More tips

  1. From Ao Nang Beach — by longtail, about 15 minutes, to Railay West.
  2. From Krabi Town — by longtail, about 30–45 minutes, to Railay East.
  3. From Ao Nam Mao pier — by longtail, about 10–15 minutes, to Railay East.
  4. From Phi Phi and Phuket — by ferry to Railay West in season.
  5. Railay West and Railay East are 5–10 minutes apart on foot.

How long do you need, and when to go?

Give Railay a full day: a morning boat from Ao Nang, a swim at Railay West, a walk to Phra Nang, then sunset and the boat back. Many people stay overnight to see the beaches without the day-trippers.

The best time is November to April: calm seas and frequent boats. In the monsoon season, May to October, the waves are bigger and boats run less often, sometimes not at all.

Is Railay worth visiting?

Yes: it's one of Thailand's most beautiful places — white sand, turquoise water and sheer cliffs — and with no cars it's peaceful.

The YesGo take: Railay West and Phra Nang are crowded by day, and everything on the peninsula costs more than on the mainland. Come early in the morning or stay the night to see the beach empty.

Before you go: checklist

Ready: 0 of 5

Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.

Krabi beaches: compare and choose

Krabi beaches and bays rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Ao Nang Beach412 hFree2.7 km
Phra Nang Beach372 hFree11 min walk
Railay Beachyou are here363 hFree—
Koh Tup and Chicken Island272 hpark fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra6.2 km
Koh Poda253 hpark fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 3005.5 km
Khao Phanom Bencha National Park221 h 30 min≈ 200 baht26.8 km
Than Bok Khorani National Park221 h 30 min≈ 300 baht; kayaking extra43.4 km
Emerald Pool202 h 30 min≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 20048.5 km
Koh Hong164 hpark fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra19.0 km

Krabi by sea in a day

A morning boat from Ao Nang Beach to Railay, Phra Nang Beach in the afternoon, and back to Ao Nang for sunset. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Ao Nang Beach2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht
  2. 47 min walk from the previous stopRailay Beachyou are here3 h · free; longtail ≈ 100 baht
  3. 11 min walk from the previous stopPhra Nang Beach2 h · free; toilets charge

3 places · about 7 h 58 min with walks · 58 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Phra Nang Beach

Krabi, Thailand

2 h · free; toilets charge · 11 min walk

How to do it right

  • The best shot of Railay West is from the water as your boat comes in.
  • Come early in the morning — before the groups.
  • Everything costs more on Railay — bring water from the mainland.
  • The beaches are 5–10 minutes apart on foot.
  • Nearby: Phra Nang Beach and its cave.

Questions

How do I get to Railay?

Only by boat: about 15 minutes from Ao Nang, 30–45 minutes from Krabi Town.

How much is the boat to Railay?

About 100 baht per person from Ao Nang (according to guides).

Where can I swim on Railay?

At Railay West and Phra Nang; Railay East is mangroves.

Can you go rock climbing at Railay?

Yes, there are schools for beginners and experienced climbers.

Is there an entry fee?

No, the beaches are public.

Can I stay overnight?

Yes, there's accommodation for every budget on the peninsula.

When is the best time to go?

November to April.

How long do you need?

A full day.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia — Railay Beach: peninsula, boat-only access, four areas, Railay East mangroves, rock climbing, Diamond Cave, ferries
  • 2026 travel guides — longtail fares and hours, wet landing (unofficial)
  • OSM — Railay West coordinates
  • YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThere's no official website. The peninsula and its areas are described from English Wikipedia; in line with YesGo policy we don't mention the events of 2004. The 100 baht longtail fare and hours come from 2026 guides and are marked unconfirmed. Travel times from Krabi Town and Ao Nam Mao come from guides. The viewpoint trail is described from guides, covering its difficulty without detailing incidents. Phra Nang has its own page.

Top YesGo picks: Krabi

Ao Nang Beach

Krabi, Thailand

2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht

Koh Tup and Chicken Island

Krabi, Thailand

2 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra

Tiger Cave Temple

Krabi, Thailand

2 h · free

Koh Poda

Krabi, Thailand

3 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 300

Emerald Pool

Krabi, Thailand

2 h 30 min · ≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 200

Koh Hong

Krabi, Thailand

4 h · park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra

All places: Krabi →