Planning
Is Ao Nang or Railay better to stay?
Updated
Short answer
Ao Nang for logistics and flexibility. Railay for the beach and atmosphere. Most first-time visitors are better off in Ao Nang with a full day trip to Railay.
It comes down to what you want the trip to feel like.
Stay in Ao Nang if: you want a central base for day trips, you're watching the budget, you want more dining and nightlife options, or you're travelling with people who have different ideas about what to do each day.
Stay in Railay if: you want the best beach as your front door, you're happy eating at a smaller selection of restaurants, you don't mind paying more for the convenience of being there, and you're not planning to use Krabi as a hub for lots of different day trips.
The practical differences
From Ao Nang, Railay is 100 THB and 15 minutes by longtail boat. You can visit Railay as many times as you want during your stay. The logistics of getting there add some friction, but not much.
From Railay, getting anywhere else (Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi Town for ferries, a different beach) requires a longtail to Ao Nang first and then transport from there. This isn't a big deal for a two-night stay focused on the beach, but it adds time if you're trying to cover more ground.
Accommodation on Railay is noticeably more expensive than Ao Nang for comparable quality. There are no convenience stores and no ATMs on Railay. Bring enough cash before you get on the boat.
The case for Ao Nang
Most people visit Krabi with a list of things they want to see (Railay, the 4 Islands, Tiger Cave Temple), and Ao Nang puts all of those things within easy reach. A full day at Railay, arriving on the first morning longtail and staying until the last evening boat, gives you the beaches at their best times of day, and you come back to a wider choice of restaurants and a lower hotel bill.
The case for Railay
Waking up on Railay before the day-trip boats arrive is a different experience from what most visitors get. The beach is quiet. The cliffs are lit by morning light. You're there before everyone else has got on a longtail. If the whole point of the trip is beach and nothing else, staying on Railay makes that version of the trip more easily available.
For more on both options, see the Krabi travel guide and the Railay Beach guide.
Related questions
What is the best beach in Krabi?
Phra Nang Cave Beach at Railay. Smaller, more sheltered, clearer water, and limestone cliffs rising straight from the sand. It earns the trip.
How many days do you need in Krabi?
Three to four days covers Railay, the 4 Islands, Tiger Cave Temple, and beach time. Two days works if Krabi is a stopover.
Is Krabi worth visiting?
Yes. The beaches and limestone scenery are genuinely good. The key is staying in Ao Nang, not Krabi Town, which has no beach at all.