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What should you do if you only have 3 days in Krabi? The great news is that it is still possible to see all of the main attractions in the area, even if you only have three days. However, you will have to be extremely organized and plan your itinerary very carefully.
We’ve written this article to help you plan the perfect three-day trip to Krabi. We will show you exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. This article is designed to be a super helpful one-stop guide so you don’t need to look anywhere else to research your itinerary.
We have included all of the best things to do in the area and also some hidden gems. We have written this itinerary to be high-paced and action-packed because three days are not long to explore this area. If this itinerary is a little bit too packed for you, you can always drop some of the activities and slow down a little bit, taking time to rest and enjoy this beautiful area. After all, it is a lot easier to drop activities from an itinerary than to try and work out how to fill your time.
LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE SPECIAL? – Amazing Hotels in Krabi with Private Pools
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN KRABI? – Don’t miss our guide to how long to stay in Krabi
GET EQUIPPED BEFORE YOUR TRIP – Everything you need to know before you go to Krabi
3 days in Krabi – Summary
- Day 1: Explore Tonsai and Railay.
- Day 2: Explore the Krabi Province.
- Day 3: Take an island-hopping trip.
Map of the main attractions in this itinerary
Is 3 days really enough time to explore Krabi?
3 days is the minimum amount of time that we recommend spending in Krabi. This is especially true if you want to see all of the main attractions and take in the stunning beauty of this area. If you spend any less than three days, you will need to start cutting out some of the best attractions in the area. If you do only have three days in this area, we recommend being very planned and intentional with your time to make sure that you make the most of your visit. We have designed this itinerary to show you how you can spend three days in Krabi and see all of the best bits.
Don’t miss our amazing article to help give you a feel for The BEST things to do in the Krabi area
What is the best way to get around if you only have 3 days in Krabi?
We strongly recommend that you plan your transport in this area. Local taxis are a very convenient way to get around; however, they can be quite expensive, especially if you’re planning to go further afield, for example, visiting the emerald pool or tiger cave temple. So, you will need to consider your budget and plan the best ways of getting around. The cheapest way to get around the Krabi area is to rent a motorbike and ride. Motorbike rental in this area starts at only 200 baht per day (around £4 or $5). You can also rent a car in the area; this is a very convenient and relatively affordable way to get around. Car rental starts at around 1,000 baht per day.
Alternatively, you can use local taxis to get around; longer journeys are likely to cost over 2,000 baht (around £40 or $50) and even more if you have lots of stops and waiting time. Another way to explore the area is to book yourself onto some local tours; you can either do this through a local tour operator in Krabi or Ao Nang. Alternatively, you can book tours online in advance, typically ranging in price between 800 baht and 2,500 baht (£16 – £50 or $20 – $60), depending on what you book and who you book with.
Find out more about the best ways to get around in Krabi
How much will it cost you to stay in Krabi for 3 days?
The exact price of your trip to Krabi depends on how you get around, where you stay, and what you choose to eat. Here is a rough idea of the prices in the area to help you plan your budget for your three-day trip around Krabi.
For a solo traveler in Krabi, a 3-day trip is likely to cost between £85 – £500. This includes accommodation, activities, food, and transport. This cost excludes transport to the area, visas, and any other shopping you hope to do. On the more expensive end, you could easily spend more than this – especially if you want to stay in a very luxurious resort. If you are traveling as a couple or as a family, it is likely to cost a little less than this per person because you will be sharing accommodation and transport. Here is a more detailed breakdown of prices.
1 Accommodation prices
If you are traveling on a low budget, you can find a hotel in the area for as little as £10 per night ($12) for a simple private room with air conditioning. So, on the low budget end, accommodation is likely to cost you around £30 for 3 days (around $40). Alternatively, if you are planning a glamorous holiday, you can find luxurious resorts in the area starting at around £100 per night. At this end of the budget range, you can get a lot for your money in Thailand. So, a luxury stay accommodation is likely to cost you £300 for your trip.
2 Food prices
Food prices in the area are relatively cheap compared to other countries; however, if you have been traveling around Thailand, you may find the food in this area to be a little more expensive. Some of the local markets in the area are geared towards foreigners and charge noticeably more than an authentic local market. Many of the restaurants in the area are also geared towards tourists and therefore charge higher prices. Dishes like Pad Thai or green curry typically start at around (120 baht £2.50 or $3). A seafood meal in the area is likely to cost between 250 baht – 1,000 baht (£5 – £20 or $6 – $25), depending on what you have and where you eat. We recommend budgeting between £8 – £25 per person per day for food in the area ($10 – $30).
3 Activities and transport costs
Activities and transport will also be a large part of the cost of your trip. The cheapest way to book tours is to book with a local tour agent and make sure you barter for the best. The cheapest way to travel around the area is to rent a motorbike. Motorbike rental in the area starts at around 200 baht per day. If you are doing this itinerary on a budget, it is possible to do it for as little as 1,500 baht for all transport and activities (cheap island hopping, shared taxi boats & using a motorbike to explore the area). On the other hand, if you book more expensive tours and trips and use private taxis, it may cost as much as 6,000 baht (£120 or $150).
- Tonsai and Railay beach – 100 baht per person each way by shared taxi boat.
- Day trip around Krabi – 200 baht bike rental, 1,000 baht car rental, or 1,500 baht on a tour.
- Island hopping trip – 800 baht with national park fees (book locally) 1,500 baht for a more expensive island hopping tour. Private boat tours in this area generally range in price from 2,500 baht – 7,000 baht (£50 – £140 or $60 – $160). Find out more about Island Hopping in Krabi.
What things do you need to plan and prearrange before your trip?
We have designed this itinerary to enable you to book things locally in Krabi or Ao Nang if you wish to go local with tours and activities. This is a relatively cheap and convenient way to book your activities and tours. On the day that you arrive, we recommend that you get your tours and trips booked for day 2 and 3. It is not possible to pre-book a shared taxi boat to Tonsai and Railay – so we have put this activity on day 1.
Here are the details of an excellent tour operator in Ao Nang:
Vaveewa Travel and Carrent 123 Moo 3, T-Ao Nang A.Muang, Krabi, 81180
WhatsApp +66612544700 krabitourcar@gmail.com
Here is a summary of the things that you will need to pre-book for this itinerary:
1 Book your accommodation
PLAN AN AMAZING TRIP – Find out about the best areas to stay around Krabi
Book your accommodation well in advance to find the best places. We recommend staying in Ao Nang. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants in the area, and transport connections are easy and convenient from this area. Use booking.com or Agoda to get competitive prices for accommodation in the area.
Here are a few LOVELY places to stay in the area…
Loma Place – simple stylish accommodation for backpackers on a budget – Find Loma Place Agoda or find them Loma Place on Booking.com
Aonang Glory Resort – surprisingly luxurious accommodation for the price – Find Aonang Glory Resort Agoda. You can also find Aonang Glory Resort on Booking.com
Groovy Bungalows – trendy property for mid-range backpackers – nice rooms & pool, great price – Find Groovy Bungalows on Agoda or find Groovy Bungalows on Booking.com
Baannai Lake View Resort – stunning lakeside resort with bungalows and villas, very beautiful! – Book Baannai on Agoda or on Reserve a bungalow on Booking.com
Baan Pinya Balinese Style Pool Villa – This is the one in the picture above. Very impressive 3 bedroom villa with private pool – Reserve you place at Baan Pinya on Agoda or on reserve Baan Pinya on Booking.com
2 Krabi Area Road Trip (Day 2)
You will need to pre-book a tour or transportation for your road trip around the Krabi area on the second day of this itinerary. If you are renting a motorbike, you can do this informally when you arrive in the town. However, if you are planning to rent a car, we recommend contacting a car rental dealer in advance and negotiating a good price. 1000 baht per day is a fair price for car rental. If you are planning to book a tour to explore Krabi, you will either need to do this with a local tour agent when you arrive, or you can do this online in advance. We recommend using Klook to get great prices for tours in the area.
3 Island Hopping Trip (Day 3)
You will also need to pre-arrange your Island hopping trip for the third day of this itinerary. Again, you can either do this with a local tour operator, or you can book online in advance. Booking online in advance gives you a little more security and peace of mind, but you will not be able to barter for the lowest prices.
Ok now we have been through all the preamble, grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy reading this EPIC 3 day itinerary for Krabi….
Day 1: Explore Tonsai and Railay Beach Area
If you only have a short time in Krabi, we highly recommend that you spend some time exploring the Tonsai Beach and Railay Beach area. There is plenty to do in the area, and these are genuinely some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is not possible to access this area overland, so you will need to take a long-tail boat to these beaches. Here is a super useful map of the boat pick up points in Ao Nang. Just show up and buy your ticket (8am – 6pm daily).
You can take shared taxi boats to Tonsai or Railay for 100 baht per person each way. It is not possible to pre-book shared taxi boat tickets, and you will not be able to purchase your return ticket, so when you want to return, you will need to buy a ticket on the beach. Oh yeah, and they wont barter so don’t waste time trying. Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE – how to travel to Tonsai & Railay from Ao Nang. Also find out more about THE BEST Hotels in Krabi.
1 Take a boat to Tonsai
We recommend starting with a visit to the beautiful and tranquil Tonsai beach. This is the quietest and most peaceful beach in the area. It is also the best spot for climbing. There is an impressive overhang which is a great spot for bouldering, and there is also a rope swing here. There is a small restaurant and bar on the beachfront, and there is a climbing shop where you can rent kit or arrange climbing trips.
2 Walk to Railay Beach
It is possible to walk from Tonsai to Railay beach. The walk takes around 10 to 15 minutes and follows a beautiful undulating jungle path. There are actually two Railay beaches: Railay West beach (next to Tonsai) and Railay East beach. What’s more, there are lots of things to do on Railay Beach: you can swim, paddle, sunbathe, or rent a sea kayak to explore the coast. There are also a few bars and restaurants along the beachfront. It is also possible to see dusky leaf monkeys on this beach. You can then walk to Railay East beach where you will find more shops and cafes, and there is also a popular climbing spot.
3 Walk to Phra Nang beach
From here, you can take a short walk along a beautiful path to reach Phra Nang Beach and the beautiful Princess Cave. If you are feeling energetic and adventurous, you can also take an intrepid trek to reach a hidden Lagoon deep in the jungle. This is called Princess Lagoon, and it is a very beautiful and impressive Lagoon. The trek to Princess Lagoon is extremely challenging with a few sections of vertical down climb to reach the lagoon and then vertical ascent to get back to the beach. There are ropes along this route, but it is still extremely challenging and potentially risky. We strongly recommend against attempting this route during or after a rainstorm (find out more about seasons in Krabi).
After you have thoroughly explored this area, we recommend taking a boat back to Ao Nang. The boats cost 100 baht per person. Railay West Beach is the best spot for boats back to Ao Nang. When you are back in town, we recommend trying some of the local food. There is a large food night market called the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market. This market sells a wide range of local Thai food and also some western dishes.
Day 2: Explore the Krabi Province
On the 2nd day, we recommend exploring the Krabi province, visiting some of the attractions further out of town. This is a pretty long and action-packed day. It will be possible to do this day by local taxi; however, this would be pretty expensive. If possible, we recommend having your transport so that you can do it at your own pace and for a reasonable budget.
If you do not have your transport options, you can also book a tour locally that includes some of these attractions (e.g., Tiger Cave Temple and the Emerald Pool tour). For this day, we recommend packing to be out for the entire day. If you are hoping to swim at the emerald pool, remember to bring your swimming kit and towel. There is also some challenging trekking during the day, so bring comfortable clothing for physical activity in the heat and a dry change of clothing.
1 Sunrise viewpoint
If you have the energy, we recommend starting the day by visiting an amazing sunrise viewpoint called Din Daeng Doi. This is situated around a 20 to 30-minute drive from Ao Nang. If you’re planning to visit this Sunrise spot, you will probably need to get going around 5:00 a.m. The sun rises in Thailand around 6:00 a.m. The best colors typically occur around 30 minutes before sunrise.
You do need to buy an entry ticket to visit the Din Daeng Doi viewpoint. This costs 50 baht for adults (Just over £1 or £1.20) and 20 baht for kids (£0.40 or $0.50). There is a short uphill walk to the sunrise spot, which takes around 10 minutes. If you arrive early, we recommend bringing a torch to see the trail. The sunrise spot is extremely impressive, and there is a small cafe serving a range of drinks and breakfast. This cafe is open early so that you can enjoy your breakfast while watching the sunrise.
2 Try kayaking
Since you’re up nice and early and you’re already in the area, why not rent a kayak at the stunning Klong Root Clear Water Canal? It is only a 10-minute drive from Din Daeng Doi, and they open around 7 a.m. At this time, you are likely to have this landscape all to yourself. So make sure you bring your best camera! It costs 300 baht to rent a kayak (£6 or $8). There are no time limits, and they also include life jackets. There is no need to pre-book. Just show up, pay and off you go. Need something a little more chill? Why not head to the stunning Baan Ton Mai Cafe. This jungle tree house cafe is a real hidden gem in the area.
3 Visit Tiger Cave Temple
After seeing the sunrise and kayaking, you may just want to sleep. Alternatively, you could head over to Tiger Cave Temple and trek up a steep mountain to an absolutely stunning viewpoint with some Buddhist statues at the top of the mountain. It is free to visit Tiger Cave Temple and also to trek up the mountain.
There is a very steep set of steps leading all the way to the top, and it is likely to take around 30 minutes to one hour to trek to the top. Bring plenty of water and prepare for a relatively challenging hike. We also recommend having a scarf to cover your shoulders when you are walking through the temple at the bottom. Also, don’t miss the actual cave temple which is located in the temple complex at the bottom of the mountain.
4 Head to the Emerald Pool
By the time you have explored Tiger Cave Temple, it is likely to be late morning or lunchtime. We recommend finding a bite to eat and then heading over to the Emerald Pool and Hot Spring. The drive to the Emerald Pool from Tiger Cave Temple is likely to take around 45 minutes to one hour. When you arrive at the Emerald Pool, there is a large car park. You will need to pay for a parking ticket which costs 40 baht for a car and 15 baht for a motorbike. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants at the entrance of the Emerald Lagoon.
However, there are no cafes or restaurants inside this area. You will need to buy an entry ticket to visit the Emerald Lagoon, and it costs 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children. Once you have paid for your ticket, the walk is around 1 km to the Emerald Pool. This is a very beautiful walk through the jungle past the crystal pool. It is possible to swim at the Emerald Pool, and the water here is particularly clear, and you may even see small fish swimming in this pool. After enjoying the Emerald Pool, you can also walk a further 0.6 km to reach the impressive and unique Blue Pool. The trail for this part of the walk closes at 3:30 p.m. each day.
5 Visit the Hot Spring
After visiting the Emerald Pool, you can also drive over to the Krabi hot spring and take a dip in the geothermal water. The drive from the Emerald Pool to the hot spring typically takes around 15 minutes. The hot spring is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It costs 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for kids. The hot spring is a 300m walk from the entrance.
After visiting the Emerald Pool and hot spring, we recommend heading back to Ao Nang for some rest and tasty food.
Day 3: Take an Island Hopping Trip
The final day of this itinerary is an island-hopping tour of the Krabi Bay area. This is actually a pretty enjoyable and relaxing thing to do on your final day in the area. We recommend taking the 4 island tour. This tour starts in the morning and takes around 7 – 8 hours. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, towel, swimming stuff and a water bottler. We recommend using a dry sack for your valuables.
You do need to pre-arrange this tour either booking online or arranging with a local tour operator in the area. An island-hopping tour can cost as little as 800 baht per person, including national park fees (£16 or $20). Private boat tours in this area generally range in price from 2,500 baht – 7,000 baht (£50 – £140 or $60 – $160). Island-hopping tours normally include snorkel and mask rental, drinking water, fresh fruit, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
1 Hotel pick up
They normally pick you up around 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. We recommend getting a good breakfast before you are picked up. The island-hopping tours do include lunch and drinking water; however, you will need your energy for the first part of the day. The island-hopping tours normally start with a transfer to the pier where you will board a long-tail boat and meet your guide. TOP TIP – keep your receipt to show the guide on arrival.
2 Explore Tonsai and Railay
They will then take you to the Tonsai and Railay area for around 1 hour. This is a great chance to explore any areas that you missed before or just relax on the boat taking in the stunning scenery.
3 Tup Island & Mor Island
After this, your boat is likely to go to Tup Island & Mor Island. These two small and beautiful islands are joined by a sandbar. This area is relatively shallow, and there is not really any good kayaking in the area. There is, however, a small snack shop and plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy.
4 Snorkel at Chicken Island
After this, you are likely to visit Chicken Island. Boats do not generally dock on this island; instead, they visit a lovely area of reef where you can enjoy snorkeling. The water is around 2-3 meters deep in this area, as you can see plenty of coral reef and fish.
5 Lunch and snorkeling at Poda island
The final stop on this trip is Poda Island, where you will have lunch and there is also a lovely snorkeling area just off the beach. They normally serve a buffet lunch, including Thai food such as rice curries and noodles. If you have any special dietary requirements, we recommend speaking to your tour operator when you book your trip.
6 Return to Ao Nang (hotel drop off)
The boat typically returns to Ao Nang by 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. On your final evening, we recommend exploring the beautiful town. You can try local food, enjoy a massage, or do some shopping. There are plenty of cafes, shops, and restaurants in the area. By this point, you really have seen all of the best things to do in the area.
If you do take the island-hopping trip, we recommend being very careful where you swim. They normally have allocated swimming areas, which are marked with rope and buoys. It is important to remain in these areas for swimming and snorkeling because there are many boats moving around these islands, and this can be particularly risky if you are snorkeling. It is also important to consider some protection when you are snorkeling in the tropics. You are very exposed to the sun, but you will often not realize when you’re burning because the water cools you down. Therefore, we recommend wearing an SPF 50 rash guard and also using a high factor sunscreen.
