Railay Travel Guide: Hidden behind towering limestone cliffs, the isthmus of Railay lies in Krabi province and is only accessible by sea. For anyone who loves beautiful beaches and breathtaking landscapes, it's arguably one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. But the days when Railay was a hidden gem are long gone! It remains a popular destination with stunning beaches, breathtaking scenery, climbing opportunities, unspoiled nature, monkeys, and all the amenities for tourists (bars, hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, boat trips, etc.). Railay West boasts a long, fine sandy beach surrounded by towering limestone formations, some with steep cliffs topped with verdant vegetation, and crystal-clear blue water – a true feast for the eyes! A photographer's paradise! Railay West is the busiest spot. Personally, I prefer Phra Nang Beach, which is a bit quieter as it's less well-known and requires a short walk to reach. It's worth noting that Railay East beach, with its mangroves, isn't suitable for swimming, especially since most boats from Krabi and Ao Nang dock there at the long pontoon. Tonsai beach, separated from Railay West by a small rocky promontory, can be reached quickly via a steep path or more leisurely through the forest, and in my opinion, it's much quieter, more beautiful, and more charming. Thanks to the cliff, you can also find shade more easily. In Railay, you're clearly surrounded by tourists; the place has developed exclusively for vacationers, and there's no authentic local life. Almost constantly, at least during the high season (December to the end of April), you can hear the engines of longtail boats bringing in new tourists or taking excursions to the nearby islands. Railay's relative inaccessibility is increasingly failing to protect it from the ever-growing influx of tourists. It's already quite difficult to find affordable accommodation there, especially in Railay West. The cheapest places to stay tend to be in Railay East. Despite its proximity to the metropolis of Krabi, the lack of road access, and the region's tourism boom, everything there is noticeably more expensive. Railay is no longer the backpacker destination it was 30 years ago, but in my opinion, it's still more pleasant than Ao Nang, as it offers similar tours and is only a 15-20 minute longtail boat ride away. You can find all the information you need about getting around in Railay in our "Getting Around in Railay" section.

Accommodation in Railay: The selection of accommodation in Railay is large, but often very limited during peak season. Budget hotels are rare. There are no inexpensive resorts in Railay West. The most affordable accommodations are located in Railay East, which still offers some of the best value for money in Thailand. Alternatively, you could stay at Tonsai Beach, but it's difficult to reach with luggage unless you charter a boat. If you book a nice resort in Railay West online, it's best to ask the resort directly if they offer a transfer from Ao Nang. Some resorts provide this service, and for the more expensive accommodations, it's even included in the price. Find accommodation in Railay. Choose a destination: Amphawa Ayutthaya Bang Saphan Bangkok Buriram Cha Am Chachoengsao Chaiyaphum Chanthaburi Chiang Dao Chiang Khan Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chonburi Chumphon Dan Sai Hat Yai Hua Hin Kalasin Kamphaeng Phet Kanchanaburi Khao Lak Khao Sok Koh Chang Koh Jum Koh Kood Koh Lanta Koh Larn Koh Lipe Koh Mak Koh Phangan Koh Phayam Koh Phi Phi Koh Samet Koh Samui Koh Sichang Koh Tao Koh Wai Krabi Lampang Lamphun Loei Lopburi Mae Hong Son Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Phanom Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Si Thammarat Nan Nang Rong Nong Khai Pai Pak Chong Pattaya Phang Nga Phang Nga Phayao Phetchabun Phetchaburi Phitsanulok Phrae Phuket Prachuap Khiri Khan Pranburi Railay Ranong Ratchaburi Rayong Roi Et Samut Songkhram Sangkhlaburi Sattahip Sukhothai Surat Thani Surin Tak Trang Trat Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani all categories less than 300 THB from 300 to 500 THB from 500 to 1000 THB from 1000 to 2500 THB from 2500 to 5000 THB plus 5000 THB // grey Less prices not available in the city selection ("All prices are available at any time") function findAccommodationCategories(citySelect) { var option=citySelect.options[citySelect.selectedIndex]; var price=parseInt(option ? option.getAttribute("data-price") : 0,10) || 0; var categories=citySelect.form.elements["categories"]; if(!categories) return; for(var i=0;i<categories.options.length;i++) { var val=categories.options[i].value; categories.options[i].disabled=!(val=="all" || val=="-" || (Math.pow(2,parseInt(val,10))&price)); } } (function() { var forms=document.querySelectorAll("#form-accommodations form"); var form=forms[forms.length-1]; if(form && form.elements["cities"]) findAccommodationCategories(form.elements["cities"]); })(); My Recommendations I am often asked which accommodations I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations for Railay. Railay Garden View Resort Hotel in Railay, Railay East (8.0/10) Book now More details arrow_circle_right Show all accommodations in Railay

Practical information about Railay: There are no cars in Railay, hardly any traffic, not even two-wheelers. So you get around on foot or by boat to reach neighboring beaches like Tonsai or Phra Nang. Day trips to Railay are offered from Krabi or Ao Nang. However, you can just as easily travel independently by longtail boat (150 THB one way, 150 THB round trip). I personally enjoy staying overnight in Railay, as I particularly like the sunset and the early morning hours. You usually reach Railay via the floating pontoon from Railay East. From there, you have to carry your luggage to your hotel on foot. There are no tuk-tuks or porters with their carts like on Koh Phi Phi.

How do I get to Railay? Railay is only accessible by boat. Some resorts in Railay offer their own speedboat shuttles connecting Ao Nang (20 km from Krabi) or another pier near Krabi. Alternatively, longtail boats will take you there from Ao Nang (until 6:00 PM) or from Ao Nam Mao Pier or Chao Fah Pier in Krabi Town. The journey takes between 15 and 45 minutes and costs 100 to 150 THB each way. During the high season, ferries also operate from Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. [arrow_circle_right] See all ways to get to Railay

How do you get around in Railay? There are no proper roads, no cars, and very few two-wheelers in Railay. Instead, there are only paths, some of which are paved, nature, and hotel complexes. So, you get around on foot or by longtail boat from one beach to another.

Other sights in Railay: Phra Nang Cave Shrine & Princess Cave. I present these two small caves on Phra Nang Beach on a single visitor page. These two shrines are dedicated to the goddess who gave the beach its name, and the offerings presented to her are, let's just say, quite special!

How do you ask for directions to Railay in Thai? I want to go to Railay / Yak pai thi Raï lae. Where is Railay? / Raï lae yu thi nai?