Ao Nang Or Krabi Town: Which To Stay In?
Are you planning a trip to the Krabi region of Thailand and need help deciding whether Ao Nang or Krabi Town would be the ideal for you to stay?
This complete guide covers where to stay in each place with hotel recommendations, things to do, restaurant recommendations, and so much more!
Both Ao Nang and Krabi Town share a few similarities, but there are apparent differences between Ao Nang and Krabi Town; depending on your travel style, you will most likely favor one place over the other!
I had the pleasure to visit both and many other places in Thailand. While I enjoyed both, Ao Nang really shined for me because of the easy access to all the islands in Krabi!
Below, I’ve summarized each destination’s pros and cons in a category-based order to help you decide. I hope this comparison guide helps you plan your perfect Krabi adventure!
How to Get to Ao Nang or Krabi Town
Before we get into things completely, let’s cover how to get to both places. Depending on where you’re coming from, whether in Thailand or abroad, there are a few different ways to get to Ao Nang or Krabi Town.
The fastest way to get to Ao Nang or Krabi Town is to fly straight into Krabi International Airport (KBV).
Once at Krabi Airport, you can take a private airport transfer, taxi, or airport shuttle bus to Krabi Town or Ao Nang, which takes around 20 to 40 minutes.
For those coming from Phuket or the Phi Phi Islands, it’s best to take a ferry or miniBus taxi.
Ao Nang vs Krabi Town: Main Differences
For those in a rush, here’s a quick comparison of the main differences between both places!
While this table breakdown will give you a quick idea about the positives and negatives, I recommend reading further to decide where you should visit!
Ao Nang is well-known resort town in the Krabi Province, popular amongst many locals and tourists for its beach and excellent location for island hopping.
Krabi Town is the capital of Krabi Province, by the Pak Nam River, an authentic Thai town ideal for those who love to explore, relax, and experience local life in this tropical destination.
Cost-wise, Ao Nang is slightly more expensive than Krabi Town, which makes sense considering that Ao Nang is more of a resort town for those looking to visit, relax, and tour Krabi.
| Things to Consider | Ao Nang | Krabi Town |
| Main Attractions | Great | Good |
| Beaches | Okay | None |
| Restaurants | Good | Good |
| Hotels | Great | Good |
| Nightlife | Okay | Okay |
| Walkability | Great | Great |
| Touristy | Yes | No |
Ao Nang or Krabi Town: Things To Do
There’s no shortage of things to do in either. Ao Nang is famous for its main beach shoreline, quick access to many islands and nightlife! Krabi Town too offers plenty to do, famous for it’s night market, excellent river views and vibrant town bars!
So no matter where you choose to stay between the two, you won’t have to worry about boredom!
Whether you’re staying in Ao Nang or Krabi Town, you should know that both offer the same type of day trips.
Ao Nang is more convenient as a base for day trips, and this may be a deciding factor for those looking to experience much of Krabi’s surroundings. Ao Nang has beaches, while Krabi Town doesn’t. However, Ao Nang is far more touristy than Krabi Town!
Another thing to keep in mind is that Ao Nang and Krabi Town are only 20 minutes away from one another, so no matter where you stay, you can do things on either list below!
Things To Do in Ao Nang
Being the popular resort town it is, there are several things to keep you busy in Ao Nang.
From the main Ao Nang beach, daily night market, day trips to Railay Beach, which is only 10 minutes away by longtail taxi, and more. Here’s a short list of Ao Nang’s best things to do.
Relax at Ao Nang Beach
Ao Nang Beach is the main attraction in town, and the main beach here extends approximately 1.5km long.
With a relaxing atmosphere and countless restaurants and resorts located right along the beach, Ao Nang Beach is an ideal place to relax for the day, whether on the beach or stopping by for a meal and stunning coastline views!
At the end of the upper side of the beach is the famous Monkey Trail, a path with several monkeys jumping around, towering high limestones, and tropical nature.
Visit Railay Beach
When visiting Krabi, you must visit Railay Beach; by far, it is one of the most beautiful and tropical places in Thailand, and it shouldn’t be missed!
It’s Famous for being home to one of the best beaches in the world, Phra Nang Cave Beach, an absolute spectacle of beaches, it looks like something out of a movie!
Railay was once only popular with only backpackers, but today, all tourists come to visit Railay and the area is steadily growing, despite its small size!
Besides its breathtaking three beaches, Railay is known for rock climbing, viewpoint hikes, kayaking, and much more!
Getting to Railay from Ao Nang is so easy; there are two areas on Ao Nang Beach where several longtail boat taxis are waiting to take passengers over to Railay. It costs 100 BAHT (2.80 US) per way, and it’s a 10-minute boat ride.
Despite being on mainland Krabi, you can only access Railay by boat due to nature!
Krabi 4 Island Tour
One of the most popular tours to do from Ao Nang is the Krabi 4 Island Tour. This fun all-day trip includes visiting four stunning islands in the Krabi region.
During the full excursion, you’ll visit Koh Thap and Ko Mor, two twin islands that connect when the tide is low. Depending on the tide that day, you may be able to walk over from one island to the other; we did it, it was fun to do!
You will also see the famous Chicken Island and Ko Poda, this island is famous for it’s white sandy beaches and crystal clear water!
Overall, it’s a fun island-hopping day trip, allowing you to see the beauty of Krabi Province and experience a few of the many remote islands nearby!
If you’d like to experience plenty of island hopping in Krabi, I highly recommend you visit during the dry season. That’s when the current is less aggressive, and you’ll likely experience plenty of sunny days!
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
No matter where you’re visiting in Thailand, visiting the local night market is always a must!
Like your typical night market in Thailand, here you’ll find many street-eats to indulge in, from pad krapow, to pad Thai, soups, grilled seafood, and desserts.
If you’re on the hunt for souvenirs to take back home with you, there’s no better place to find them than at the night markets.
I collect keychains and magnets for fridges in every destination I visit. They had some unique elephant and Ao Nang keychains at the Landmark night market!
Best Things To Do in Krabi Town
There are several things to do in Krabi Town, from temple hikes to museums, river trips, hot springs visits, and more!
Besides that, Krabi Town is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is very walkable. You can walk to most spots in town within a few minutes.
Stroll the Pak Nam River
Krabi Town’s main attraction is the Pak Nam River, and most of the town’s activities are centered around this charming river.
The river is perfect for an evening walk or picnic to watch sunsets. The night market is nearby, and there’s a dock where you can do tours around Krabi.
Along the boulevard, you’ll find a greenery park area where many locals and tourists relax. Buy some food from the local night market, maybe a few snacks from 711 and have a picnic here to watch the sunset, that’s what we did!
Tiger Temple aka Wat Tham Seua Krabi
When it comes to main attractions just outside of Krabi Town, the Tiger Temple sits at the top of the list due to its stunning views.
The famous temple in Krabi sits high on a mountain, and it takes 1,200 steps to get to the top. For those who love a good hike, this should be on the top of your list of things to do in Krabi Town!
If you’re not a fan of hiking, trust me, it’s so worth the visit. The mountain-top 360° views of Krabi feature mountainous limestones, rolling hills, and sea views and are just spectacular!
The best time to do the hike is in the morning when it’s least crowded and temperatures aren’t nearly as high, the earlier, the better. The trail opens at 4:00 AM, I recommend hiking for sunrise!
Krabi Weekend Night Market
The famous Krabi Town Weekend Night Market is located in the heart of town and steps away from the Pak Nam River.
The Krabi Weekend night market only happens three nights a week. Because of this, the night market has more of a local feel to it. Unlike most night markets in Thailand, that can sometimes come off a bit too touristy!
At the market, you’ll find all the favorites: Thai pancakes, satay, pad Thai, mango sticky rice, clothing, sunglasses, and more. Performers also frequent the market as well, which adds to the fun!
So bring some Thai Baht with you and come try a wide variety of delicious street foods at this popular night market.
Krabi Town Night Market Hours: Friday to Sunday from 5 PM – 10 PM
If you don’t visit Krabi Town during the weekend and still want to visit a night market, go to the Poo Dam Night Market, which is open from Monday to Wednesday from 5 PM – 10 PM.
Mangrove Kayak Trip
What better way to admire the landscape of Krabi than from the water? Kayak your way through several mangroves in Krabi’s jungles, canyons, and many lagoons.
You can join this fun kayak tour and paddle your way through the many stunning scenic tropics in Krabi.
From the large limestones in the Andaman Sea to the long-branched trees in the mangroves, this kayak tour will leave you speechless!
Ao Nang or Krabi Town: Hotels & Resorts
Alright, let’s talk about the accommodations, a top consideration when deciding where to stay between both places!
Ao Nang has a more extensive selection of hotels because of its extensive beach shoreline and excellent location. Hotels here range from beach resorts to luxury hotels, and there are many budget-friendly options, too!
Krabi Town is a smaller town, and because of this, the town offers less hotel selection than Ao Nang. Krabi Town is known for its mid-range hotels, hostels, and affordable accommodations.
I’ve included three top hotel choices for both. No matter what your budget is, you should find a great option below!
Where to Stay in Ao Nang
- Holiday Ao Nang: This beautiful 5-star resort is located directly on Ao Nang Beach. The large resort also has a pool and is a short walk from shops, restaurants, markets, and more.
- Panan Krabi Resort: A modern hotel just steps away from the main beach with a stunning rooftop pool for guests to enjoy.
- K Bunk Ao Nang: Ranked #1 hostel in Ao Nang, the hostel has beautiful mountain views and a delicious breakfast restaurant in the lobby.
Where to Stay in Krabi Town
- The Brown Hotel: Rated #1 boutique hotel in town, located right in the heart of Krabi Town.
- Krabi SeaBass Hotel: Fully equipped modern hotel with a beautiful pool and many amenities.
- Leisure Hostel: Centrally located hostel, clean accommodations at an affordable price.
Ao Nang or Krabi Town: Restaurants
I’m a big foodie, so food is at the top of my list of considerations when it comes to deciding which destination to stay in.
With Ao Nang being the larger town, there’s a broader selection of restaurants to choose from catering to all food preferences, much more so than Krabi Town.
In addition to the local Thai food, Ao Nang offers Arabic, Mexican, and famous American fast food chains. It also has around four different night markets that are open most nights.
Krabi Town has excellent Thai cuisine, and the town is more famous than Ao Nang for its local cuisine. That said, there are also a few Italian restaurants, as well as Indian ones. As mentioned earlier, you can always visit the two night markets in town for a bite to eat also!
Where to Eat in Ao Nang
- Kodam Kitchen – Thai Restaurant
- The Hilltop Ao Nang – Viewpoint Restaurant
- Manana Mexican Restaurant – Authentic Mexican Food
- Ton Ma Yom ThaiFood – Authentic Thai
Where to Eat in Krabi Town
- Ko Suang Restaurant – Authentic Thai
- The Rivier Restaurant & Bar – Authentic Thai Riverview Restaurant
- Uno Restaurant – Classic Italian Food
- Pirates House Restaurant – Authentic Indian Restaurant
- Pad Thai and Fried Mussels – Local Grab&Go quick street food
Ao Nang or Krabi Town: Nightlife
Are you someone who loves to party? This category may help you quickly decide which would be better for you to visit!
Ao Nang and Krabi Town have similar nightlife atmospheres, including beach bars, a nightclub or two, night markets, reggae bars, and bars with local talent performing!
Don’t expect any large-scale parties in either place, for something like that, you’ll have to go to Phuket!
Nightlife in Ao Nang
- Tribe Beach Bar: Fun cocktail bar with a live DJ and beautiful beach views.
- Bamboo Bar: Popular open-layout bar with plenty of pool tables.
- Upbeat Bar: Located along the beach road, popular for its large selection of liquors.
- Reggae Town Bar: Rasta-style Jamaican bar serving plenty of Thai dishes, many drinks/weed with live performances.
Nightlife in Krabi Town
- Booze Bar: Laidback Jamaican rasta-style bar with beautiful river views.
- Deep: Fancy NYC-style bar with the best cocktails in Krabi Town.
- Ole Bar: Popular bar featuring board games and live music some nights.
- The Living Room: Open layout restaurant/bar, an excellent restaurant for food and drinks; there’s a pool table here too.
Best Time to Visit Ao Nang and Krabi Town
Last but not least, weather should be a top consideration regardless of the two places you choose to visit!
The best time to visit Ao Nang and Krabi Town is during the dry season which is from November through April. During this time, the weather is ideal for island hopping, long days at the beach, and vibrant sunsets!
Dry Season: November to April
Rainy Season: May to October
Krabi’s rainy season runs from May through October, and during this time, you’re more likely to encounter rainfall, thunderstorms, and fewer sunny days.
These two seasonal trends also apply to all of southern Thailand’s popular destinations, such as the Phi Phi Islands and Phuket!
You can visit Ao Nang or Krabi Town during the rainy season and still have several sunny days. However, don’t be surprised if you experience rainfall some days, and it’s essential to know that humidity levels will be far higher during this time compared to the dry season!
Ao Nang vs Krabi Town — Final Thoughts
Have you made up your mind about which of the two you plan to visit? If not, here are a few parting words about each place that may convince you to visit one over another!
While I prefer Ao Nang over Krabi Town, I enjoyed Krabi’s laid-back atmosphere. I visited both places during two months of travel all over southern Thailand, so finally, being in a small walkable river town that wasn’t too touristy was a treat!
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for backpackers?
Both are well-suited for solo travelers. Ao Nang has a beach with slightly more things to do, though Krabi Town is more authentic, less touristy, and very affordable. Make your pick.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for fouples?
Depending on the trip you are looking to have with your loved one, Ao Nang does offer better accommodations, dining options, etc. Ao Nang is more suitable for couples versus Krabi Town.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for a group of friends?
It depends on the type of group you are with, but Ao Nang would be the better pick between Krabi Town and Ao Nang for most friend groups.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for families?
Ao Nang is a far better destination for families than Krabi Town. There are many hotels to choose from, a wide variety of dining options, and more activities for kids in Ao Nang.
Ao Nang is better if you’re looking to be by the beach, and the town is more accommodating to tourists. Krabi Town is less of a touristy destination and has more of a local experience feel to it!
The best and cheapest way to get to Ao Nang from Krabi Town is by Songthaew, a shared taxi pickup truck. Hop on, pay 60 Baht, and it will take you directly to Ao Nang from the Krabi Town river.
Krabi Town is known for its laidback vibes, temple mountain hikes, hot springs, national parks, and authentic Thai town culture and food.
Happy & Safe Travels
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