How many days do you need in Krabi?

Three to four days is the right amount for most people's first visit to Krabi. It's enough time to see Railay Beach (at least a full day trip, ideally with an overnight stay), do the 4 Islands boat tour, climb the Tiger Cave Temple steps, and still have a morning or two to sit on the beach without rushing.

How four days breaks down

Day one is arrival and settling into Ao Nang. Take a longtail to Railay in the afternoon if you arrive early enough. Walk down to Phra Nang Cave Beach before the last boats leave.

Day two is a full day at Railay. Take the first longtail in the morning before the day-trippers arrive. Walk to Phra Nang, scramble up to the viewpoint, walk to Tonsai at low tide if climbing interests you. Take the last boat back.

Day three is the 4 Islands tour. Book it the night before from any tour shop on the Ao Nang strip. A full-day snorkelling trip gets you back by late afternoon. Tiger Cave Temple at sunrise or early morning on this day or the next.

Day four is the loose end: the mangrove kayak trip from Ao Thalane if you want something different, another slow morning at Railay, or transit south to Koh Lanta.

If you only have two days

Two days is enough to do Railay as a day trip and the 4 Islands tour, with very little slack. Skip Tiger Cave Temple and the kayaking. Those are the easy things to cut. Two days works if Krabi is a stop within a longer southern Thailand itinerary rather than the destination itself.

If you have five days or more

A fifth day makes it worth adding Koh Lanta: take the morning ferry south and spend two nights there. The beaches are quieter and the island has a different character from Ao Nang's resort strip. Coming back by morning ferry gives you the afternoon in Ao Nang before a flight or onward travel.

For a full breakdown of what to do and where to base yourself, see the Krabi travel guide.