Can you day trip to Railay from Ao Nang?

Yes, and it works well. The longtail from Ao Nang pier costs 100 THB per person and takes 15–20 minutes. Boats run throughout the day and depart whenever they fill up (usually a short wait of 10 minutes or less in high season).

How to make the most of a day trip

Go early. Take the first or second longtail of the morning, around 8–9am, before the boat tours start arriving. Walk straight to Phra Nang Cave Beach, five minutes south along the base of the cliffs from where the longtail drops you at Railay West. You'll have it mostly to yourself for the first hour or two.

By late morning, Phra Nang fills up with day-trippers coming off the 4 Islands tours. Head back to Railay West for the busy hours, or scramble up to the viewpoint from Railay East to wait it out. By 4–5pm the tours have left and the beaches are quieter again.

If the tide is low, walk the rocky path north from Railay West to Tonsai Beach. It's a 10-minute scramble along the cliffs, rewarded with a quieter bay and a look at the climbing scene.

The last longtail from Railay back to Ao Nang leaves around sunset, roughly 6:30–7pm. Missing it is not a disaster, but negotiating a private charter back costs considerably more than the 100 THB fare.

Is a day trip enough?

For most people, yes. A full day at Railay, arriving early and spending time at both Phra Nang and Railay West, doing the viewpoint hike, having lunch at one of the beach restaurants, is a complete day. The main thing you miss by not staying overnight is the morning and evening quiet when the beaches are at their best and the day-trippers haven't arrived yet.

If the first day trip leaves you wanting more, you can always go back. It's only 100 THB.

For more on what to do once you're there, see the Railay Beach guide.