Best Hotels in Krabi for Every Budget — 35 Real Picks From £14 (2026)

Our pick for the best-value base in Krabi for 2026 is The Brown Hotel — over 1,400 reviews and rooms from around £23 — but the real story of Krabi is that this is one of Thailand's most breathtaking coastlines on a backpacker budget. Krabi's limestone cliffs and the majestic beaches of Railay draw travellers from around the world, yet the best hotels in Krabi for every budget start at just £14 a night. We've built this guide around 35 real, distinct, currently bookable hotels across Krabi Town and Ao Nang — every one on the mainland, every one linking straight to its live prices, and every one a short songthaew or longtail-boat hop from the cliffs and islands. There is no luxury or mid-tier padding here: Krabi's genius is that the whole list is cheap.

Jump to your stay: Best beach & budget stays · Cheap hotels under £90 · FAQs

Scout's 3 best budget picks right now: 🏝 Aonang Goodwill Hotel — from ~£14, the cheapest bookable stay in Krabi and within reach of Ao Nang beach. 🌊 T2 Ao Nang Krabi — from ~£15, a well-reviewed simple base near the beach strip. ⭐ The Brown Hotel — from ~£23, the most-reviewed cheap hotel in Krabi Town (1,400+ reviews). From-prices are live rates pulled while writing — tap any hotel for today's price on your dates.

Krabi sits on Thailand's Andaman coast, an hour or so by air from Bangkok and just across the water from Phuket and Phi Phi. Its defining sight is the limestone karst — sheer cliffs rising straight out of turquoise sea, most famously at Railay, a beach peninsula cut off from the road and reachable only by longtail boat. The mainland hubs are Ao Nang (the main beach strip, with restaurants, dive shops and the island-hopping pier) and Krabi Town (a riverside working town with the cheapest rooms and a lively night market). Every hotel in this guide is in one of those two hubs — all on the mainland — so from any of them Railay's cliffs, the Four Islands, the Tiger Cave Temple and the Emerald Pool are an easy day trip. Compare live Krabi hotel prices or search UK flights to Krabi (KBV) — there are no direct flights, so you connect via Bangkok or a Gulf hub.

A note on the tiers: most of our "best hotels" guides split into luxury, mid-range and budget. Krabi doesn't work that way. Our bookable inventory here is Krabi Town and Ao Nang guesthouses and 2–3 star resorts — real, honest, budget beach stays — so rather than invent a luxury tier that doesn't exist in our data, we've kept it to one honest section of 35 properties, sorted cheapest first. That's the true shape of a Krabi trip: the cliffs and islands are the luxury, and they're free.

Krabi's Best Beach & Budget Stays — 35 Real, Bookable Options

Every property below is a real, currently operating hotel we verified as distinct — no rebrands of the same building counted twice — with live wholesale rates on its JetMeAway page. From-prices were pulled on live searches while writing; rainy season (June–October) runs cheaper and peak season (November–February) higher, so tap through for your dates. They're listed cheapest first, so budget hunters reach the £14 rooms in the first tap. Krabi budget rule #1: judge the all-in price — our hotel pages show totals including taxes.

Cheap Hotels in Krabi Under £90 — 35 Real Options (from £14)

1. Aonang Goodwill Hotel — Ao Nang, Krabi · 2★ · 72 reviews · from ~£14/night. The cheapest bookable stay in this guide — a simple, no-frills 2-star within reach of Ao Nang beach and its restaurants. Rooms are basic and the price is honest; for backpackers who want the cliffs and islands rather than a resort, it's the budget default.

2. T2 Ao Nang Krabi — Ao Nang, Krabi · 2★ · 242 reviews · from ~£15/night. A well-reviewed budget base a short walk from the Ao Nang strip — one of the most-reviewed cheap stays in the area, which tells you the value holds up. Clean, simple rooms and a friendly front desk for tours and transfers.

3. Aonang Sunset Hotel — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 68 reviews · from ~£20/night. A small 3-star in the heart of Ao Nang, walkable to the beach and the evening market. A step up in comfort from the 2-star guesthouses for only a few pounds more — a solid Ao Nang all-rounder.

4. B2 Krabi Ao Nang Premier Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 31 reviews · from ~£20/night. Part of the reliable Thai B2 budget-resort chain, with a pool and tidy modern rooms near the Ao Nang beach road. A dependable, no-surprises pick for travellers who like a known quantity.

5. Monotel Aonang — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 22 reviews · from ~£21/night. A compact, contemporary 3-star a short stroll from Ao Nang beach. Simple, clean and well-placed for the restaurants, dive shops and longtail pier — good value in the low-£20s band.

6. Green View Village Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 76 reviews · from ~£21/night. A leafy garden resort set slightly back from the Ao Nang bustle, with a pool and a calmer, family-friendly feel. The greenery and quiet make it a favourite for travellers who want the beach nearby but not the noise.

7. Tharapark View Hotel — Krabi Town · 2★ · 71 reviews · from ~£21/night. A budget 2-star in Krabi Town, handy for the riverfront night market, cheap seafood and boats to the islands. A good-value town base for travellers who prefer local life and the lowest prices over a beachfront spot.

8. Frank Ao Nang Krabi Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 67 reviews · from ~£21/night. A neat 3-star close to Ao Nang beach and the strip, with modern rooms and a pool. Walkable to the sand and the evening food scene — a practical, well-located choice in the low-£20s.

9. Centara Life Phu Pano Krabi — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 128 reviews · from ~£21/night. Part of the trusted Thai Centara group's value line — a hillside resort with pools and mountain-and-cliff views over Ao Nang. More reviews than most at this price, and the brand backing gives it a reassuring consistency.

10. Andaman Breeze Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 89 reviews · from ~£22/night. A pool resort a short ride from Ao Nang beach, with spacious rooms and a quiet setting. Good for travellers who want resort facilities at guesthouse prices and don't mind a five-minute hop to the sand.

11. The Phu Beach Hotel — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 100 reviews · from ~£22/night. A well-reviewed 3-star near Ao Nang beach with a pool and comfortable rooms. Close enough to walk to the sand and the strip, and a reliable mid-budget pick with a solid review count behind it.

12. The Verandah — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 118 reviews · from ~£22/night. A relaxed pool resort in Ao Nang with a good spread of reviews and a garden setting. Friendly, unfussy and well-priced — a dependable base for a beach-and-islands week.

13. The Brown Hotel — Krabi Town · 3★ · 1,464 reviews · from ~£23/night. By far the most-reviewed hotel in this guide — over 1,400 reviews — and a Krabi Town favourite for its clean modern rooms and central location near the night market. If you want a proven, popular cheap base in town, this is it.

14. Ao Nang Timber House — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 106 reviews · from ~£23/night. A wood-accented 3-star with a warm, characterful feel a short walk from Ao Nang beach. The timber styling sets it apart from the concrete blocks around it, and the reviews back up the value.

15. MW Krabi Beach Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 28 reviews · from ~£24/night. A tidy beach-oriented resort with a pool near the Ao Nang shore. A quieter, newer option for travellers who want the sea close and a modern room without the resort mark-up.

16. Phranang Place Hotel — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 52 reviews · from ~£24/night. Named for the Phra Nang cliffs and beaches nearby, a comfortable 3-star close to the Ao Nang strip and the longtail pier. Well-placed for island trips and the boat over to Railay.

17. Aonang Viva Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 90 reviews · from ~£25/night. A cheerful pool resort a short walk from Ao Nang beach, with bright rooms and a poolside bar. A sociable, good-value pick for travellers who want a bit of resort buzz at a budget price.

18. Cosi Ao Nang — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 53 reviews · from ~£25/night. A modern, design-led budget hotel from the Centara group's Cosi line, with a fresh, colourful look and a pool. Aimed at younger, tech-friendly travellers who want style without the price — smart value near the beach.

19. Aonang Paradise Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 100 reviews · from ~£26/night. A pool resort set back in the greenery a short ride from Ao Nang beach, with a relaxed, quiet feel. A hundred reviews back the value — a good choice for travellers happy to trade beachfront for space and calm.

20. Krabi Maritime Resort — Krabi Town · 2★ · 6 reviews · from ~£26/night. A larger resort on the edge of Krabi Town with a pool and river-and-mountain views. Quiet and spacious for the price — a calmer town-side base with resort facilities, a short ride from the night market.

21. Lada Krabi Residence — Krabi Town · 3★ · 75 reviews · from ~£27/night. A comfortable residence-style hotel in Krabi Town, handy for the riverfront, market and bus and boat connections. Roomy and well-kept — a sensible town base for travellers using Krabi as a hub for Koh Lanta and the islands.

22. Blu Monkey Hub & Hotel Krabi Town — Krabi Town · 3★ · 20 reviews · from ~£31/night. A stylish, modern hotel right in Krabi Town, walkable to the night market and riverfront. The freshest-feeling town-centre stay on this list — good for travellers who want a contemporary base with the town's cheap eats on the doorstep.

23. Whalecome Aonang Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 73 reviews · from ~£31/night. A relaxed pool resort in Ao Nang with a playful name and a comfortable, mid-budget feel. Walkable to the strip and the beach, with enough facilities to settle in for a few days.

24. Ao Nang Orchid Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 105 reviews · from ~£32/night. A well-reviewed resort close to Ao Nang beach, with a pool and gardens. Central for the restaurants, dive shops and island pier — an easy, reliable Ao Nang choice with a strong review count.

25. Keereen Resort - Ao Nang Krabi — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 47 reviews · from ~£40/night. A comfortable pool resort a short ride from Ao Nang beach, with spacious rooms and a quiet setting. A step up in space and calm as you move into the £40s — good for couples and families wanting room to spread out.

26. Krabi Apartment Hotel — Krabi Town · 3★ · 47 reviews · from ~£42/night. Apartment-style rooms in Krabi Town, useful for longer stays or travellers who want a bit more space and a kitchenette. Central and well-connected — a practical base for a slower Krabi trip.

27. Holiday Style Ao Nang Beach Resort Krabi — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 166 reviews · from ~£45/night. One of the better-reviewed beach resorts in Ao Nang, with a pool and a genuine holiday-resort feel close to the sand. The 166 reviews and beach proximity make it a strong family pick in the mid-£40s.

28. Aonang Hill @ 11/1 — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 44 reviews · from ~£46/night. A hillside resort above Ao Nang with elevated views over the bay and cliffs, and a pool to match. The short climb rewards you with the kind of outlook that's usually reserved for pricier properties.

29. Baan Habeebee Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 21 reviews · from ~£47/night. A tranquil bungalow-style resort tucked in the greenery near Ao Nang, with a natural, low-key feel. For travellers who want a garden hideaway close to the beach rather than a strip-side block.

30. Andamanee Boutique Resort Aonang Krabi — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 368 reviews · from ~£47/night. The best-reviewed beach-side resort in this guide after The Brown — 368 reviews for a boutique property with a pool near Ao Nang beach. Polished, popular and well-run, it's the pick when you want a touch more style in the mid-£40s.

31. Na Sook Resort — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 3 reviews · from ~£52/night. A quiet, newer resort near Ao Nang with a calm, garden setting — a peaceful choice for couples who want privacy over a busy strip. Fewer reviews so far, but the space and serenity stand out at this price.

32. Loy Chalet — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 25 reviews · from ~£64/night. A comfortable chalet-style resort near Ao Nang with a relaxed, homely feel. One of the pricier picks on the list, and the extra buys you space, calm and a settled, resort-style stay close to the beach.

33. Aonang Eco Villa — Ao Nang, Krabi · 3★ · 5 reviews · from ~£62/night. A green, eco-minded villa retreat set in the countryside near Ao Nang, for travellers who want nature and quiet over the beach strip. A different, slower pace of Krabi stay — cliffs and jungle rather than bars and shops.

34. Blue Orchid Beach Krabi — Krabi Town · 3★ · 6 reviews · from ~£34/night. A newer resort on the Krabi Town side with a pool and a quiet setting, a short ride from the riverfront and market. A calm, spacious town-area base for travellers who want facilities without Ao Nang's prices.

35. Tinidee Hideaway Tonsai Beach Krabi — Tonsai Beach, Krabi · 3★ · 40 reviews · from ~£84/night. The top of our list — a beachfront hideaway near Tonsai, out towards the Railay-area headlands, where the limestone cliffs meet the sea. At around £84 it's the splurge of this guide, and the closest you'll get to a Railay-style setting while staying bookable and on-network.

Budget tier summary: cheapest overall — Aonang Goodwill Hotel £14; best-reviewed cheap hotel — The Brown Hotel, 1,400+ reviews, £23; best beach-side resort — Andamanee Boutique Resort, 368 reviews, £47; top-end splurge near Railay — Tinidee Hideaway Tonsai Beach £84. Compare all Krabi hotels with live prices → or search UK flights to Krabi (KBV) →.

Best Krabi Hotels for Specific Trips

Here's how the 35 hotels above sort by traveller type — all budget, all bookable, all a short hop from the cliffs and islands.

Best Krabi Hotels for Value (from £14)

The cheapest bookable stays are Aonang Goodwill Hotel (£14) and T2 Ao Nang Krabi (£15), both simple Ao Nang bases. For the best value with a pool and a proper resort feel, Green View Village Resort (£21) and Centara Life Phu Pano Krabi (£21) are hard to beat. In town, Tharapark View Hotel (~£21) is the cheapest riverside base.

Best Krabi Hotels for Families

Calm mainland beaches and pools make Krabi easy with kids. Green View Village Resort (£21) has a garden setting, Holiday Style Ao Nang Beach Resort (£45) sits near the sand, and Andamanee Boutique Resort (~£47) is polished and well-reviewed. All are a short walk or ride from Ao Nang beach and the island-tour pier.

Best Krabi Hotels for Couples

For quiet and romance, Loy Chalet (£64), Na Sook Resort (£52) and Aonang Eco Villa (£62) trade the strip for garden calm. For the closest thing to a Railay setting, Tinidee Hideaway Tonsai Beach (£84) puts you on the beach beneath the cliffs.

Best Krabi Town Bases (Cheapest Rooms)

If you want the lowest prices and local life, base in Krabi Town: The Brown Hotel (£23, most-reviewed), Blu Monkey Hub & Hotel Krabi Town (£31, most modern), Tharapark View Hotel (£21) and Lada Krabi Residence (£27). All are walkable to the night market and the boats.

Best Ao Nang Hotels for the Beach and Islands

For the beach on your doorstep and the longtail pier close by, The Phu Beach Hotel (£22), Ao Nang Orchid Resort (£32), Frank Ao Nang Krabi Resort (£21) and Phranang Place Hotel (£24) put you steps from the sand and the boats to Railay and the Four Islands.

Beyond the Beach — Krabi's Essentials

A few things worth planning around your stay:

• Railay Beach by longtail boat — reachable only by boat from Ao Nang (10–15 minutes, ~£2–3). Towering cliffs, hidden lagoons, Phra Nang cave beach and world-class rock climbing. The single most breathtaking half-day in Krabi.
• Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) — 1,237 steps to a hilltop shrine with a panorama over the karst valley. Go at dawn to beat the heat; the view is the reward.
• Four Islands longtail tour — Phra Nang Cave Beach, Tup, Chicken and Poda islands, with snorkelling stops, from Ao Nang (~£20–30 for a half-day). The classic way to see the cliffs rising from turquoise water.
• Hong Islands tour — a quieter alternative to the Four Islands, with a stunning enclosed lagoon (the "Hong") and calmer snorkelling.
• Ao Thalane kayaking — paddle through mangrove channels and under limestone overhangs, spotting monkeys and mudskippers. A gentle, family-friendly half-day.
• Emerald Pool and Hot Springs — inland jungle spring-fed pools of clear green water, best paired with a scooter or tour day out from Ao Nang.
• Ao Nang and Krabi Town night markets — cheap street food, fresh seafood and local snacks. Krabi Town's weekend riverfront market is the livelier of the two.

JetMeAway's Scout feature surfaces this kind of neighbourhood intelligence automatically once you book.

UK Practicalities

• Flights: No direct UK–Krabi flights. Connect via Bangkok (BKK or DMK) or a Gulf hub (Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi), then a short hop to Krabi (KBV). Search flights to KBV.
• Airport: Krabi International (KBV) is ~20 minutes from Krabi Town, ~35–45 minutes from Ao Nang. Shared minibus ~£3–5; private taxi to Ao Nang ~£13–18.
• Getting around: Songthaews between town and beach (50–60 baht), longtail boats to Railay and the islands, Grab in Krabi Town, scooters (~£5/day) for inland trips.
• Currency: Thai baht (THB). Cards work in Ao Nang hotels and bigger restaurants; carry cash for markets, boats and street food. 7-Eleven everywhere.
• Best months: November–February (cool, dry, peak prices); March–May (hot, dry); June–October (rainy, green, cheapest — short downpours rather than all-day rain).
• Budget: Rooms £14–50/night, street meals £1–3, longtail boats £2–5, island tours £20–30. A two-week Krabi trip can run under £50/day per person before flights.

Explore More of Thailand

Planning a wider Thailand trip? Here are our other budget-first city and beach hotel guides:

• Best Hotels in Bangkok for Every Budget — the capital's temples, street food and rooftop bars, from backpacker Khao San rooms up.
• Best Hotels in Phuket for Every Budget — Krabi's bigger neighbour across the water: Patong, Kata and island-hopping.
• Best Hotels in Chiang Mai for Every Budget — the northern temple city, Old City guesthouses and elephant sanctuaries.
• Best Hotels in Koh Samui for Every Budget — the Gulf island's Chaweng and Lamai beaches and wellness retreats.
• Best Hotels in Pattaya for Every Budget — beaches, Walking Street and the Sanctuary of Truth, close to Bangkok.
• Best Hotels in Ayutthaya for Every Budget — the UNESCO ancient-capital temple ruins, an easy trip from Bangkok.
• Best Hotels in Hua Hin for Every Budget — the royal beach town, night market and golf.
• Best Hotels in Kanchanaburi for Every Budget — the Bridge over the River Kwai, Erawan Falls and the Death Railway.

Krabi Hotels FAQs

The questions UK travellers ask most about booking Krabi hotels — cheapest areas, how low prices go, best months and getting from the airport — answered plainly.

What is the cheapest area to stay in Krabi?

Krabi Town itself is the cheapest base — a working riverside town where guesthouses and 2–3 star hotels start around £14–20 a night, well below the beach rates. Ao Nang, the main beach strip, is a little dearer but still budget-friendly, with plenty of rooms in the £20–35 band. Both are a short songthaew or longtail-boat hop from Railay's limestone cliffs, so you never pay a beachfront premium to reach them.

How cheap are Krabi hotels in 2026?

Genuinely cheap. On the live searches behind this guide, real bookable rooms in Krabi Town and Ao Nang started at £14 a night (Aonang Goodwill Hotel) and most of the 35 properties here sit under £50. Even the top end of our list — a beachfront hideaway near Tonsai — comes in around £84. Rainy season (June to October) shaves those numbers further; peak season (November to February) pushes them up, so book ahead for winter dates.

Are there hostels and guesthouses in Krabi under £20 a night?

Yes — Krabi is one of Thailand's best-value beach destinations. Aonang Goodwill Hotel (from ~£14) and T2 Ao Nang Krabi (from ~£15) are the two cheapest bookable stays in this guide, both simple 2-star bases within reach of Ao Nang beach. Add breakfast at a street stall and a 7-Eleven run and you can do Krabi on a true backpacker budget, with the cliffs and islands as the free scenery.

Where should I stay in Krabi — Krabi Town or Ao Nang?

Ao Nang if you want the beach on your doorstep, the restaurants and dive shops, and the pier for island-hopping and Railay boats. Krabi Town if you want the lowest prices, the night market, and a more local, riverside feel — it's about 30 minutes by songthaew from the beach. Many travellers split the difference and stay in Ao Nang for the sea, saving Krabi Town for a cheaper final night before flying out.

How do I get to Railay Beach from Ao Nang or Krabi Town?

Railay has no road access — it's cut off by the limestone headlands — so you reach it only by longtail boat. From Ao Nang beach, boats leave when they fill (about 8–10 passengers) for roughly 100–150 baht (£2–3) and take 10–15 minutes. From Krabi Town's Khong Kha pier it's a longer ride. That short boat hop is exactly why the budget hotels in this guide, all on the mainland, still put Railay's cliffs and beaches within easy reach.

What are the best months to visit Krabi?

November to February is the cool, dry peak season — the best weather, the calmest seas for island trips, and the highest room rates. March to May is hot and still mostly dry. June to October is the rainy (green) season: cheaper rooms, fewer crowds, and short heavy downpours rather than all-day rain, though some island boat trips pause in rough weather. Budget travellers get the best deals in the shoulder months of May and October.

How far is Krabi Airport from Ao Nang and Krabi Town?

Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 15 km from Krabi Town (20–25 minutes) and roughly 30 km from Ao Nang beach (35–45 minutes). Shared minibuses and airport shuttles run to both for around 150–200 baht (£3–5) per person; a private taxi to Ao Nang is roughly 600–800 baht (£13–18). Many hotels in this guide can arrange a pickup — worth it after a long connection through Bangkok.

Are there direct flights from the UK to Krabi?

No — there are no direct flights from the UK to Krabi. You connect through Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi BKK or Don Muang DMK) or a Gulf hub such as Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then take a short domestic or regional hop to Krabi Airport (KBV). Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia all serve the Bangkok–Krabi leg several times a day.

Is Krabi good for families on a budget?

Very. The mainland beaches at Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara are calm and shallow, the resorts in this guide have pools, and street food keeps meals cheap. Family-friendly picks include Green View Village Resort (from ~£21) with its garden setting, Holiday Style Ao Nang Beach Resort (from ~£45) near the beach, and Andamanee Boutique Resort (from ~£47). Island day trips like the Four Islands tour are easy half-days that kids love.

How much does a mid-range hotel in Krabi cost per night?

What counts as mid-range in Krabi is bargain by UK standards — a comfortable 3-star resort with a pool typically runs £30–65 a night. Properties like Andamanee Boutique Resort (£47), Krabi Apartment Hotel (£42) and Loy Chalet (~£64) sit in that band. You'd pay two or three times as much for the equivalent on a Mediterranean beach, which is a big part of why UK travellers keep flying the long way to Krabi.

Which Krabi hotels are closest to Ao Nang beach?

Beach-adjacent picks in this guide include Holiday Style Ao Nang Beach Resort, The Phu Beach Hotel, Ao Nang Orchid Resort and Frank Ao Nang Krabi Resort — all a short walk from the sand and the main strip. Ao Nang is compact, so even the hillside resorts like Aonang Hill are only a few minutes from the beach road by foot or a 20-baht songthaew.

Is Krabi Town worth staying in, or is it just for transit?

It's worth a night or two if you like local atmosphere over resort polish. Krabi Town has a lively weekend night market on the riverfront, cheap seafood, the Tiger Cave Temple nearby, and the lowest room prices in the province — Blu Monkey Hub & Hotel Krabi Town (from ~£31) and Tharapark View Hotel (from ~£21) are solid bases. It's also the departure point for boats to Koh Lanta and some islands.

Can I do Krabi as a two-week trip on a small budget?

Easily. With rooms from £14–30 a night, street meals at £1–3, longtail boats at £2–5 and island tours around £20–30, a two-week Krabi trip can run well under £50 a day per person before flights. Stay in Ao Nang for the beach and boats, take a couple of island tours, and use Krabi Town for the cheapest nights. The scenery — cliffs, caves and islands — is largely free.

What is there to do in Krabi besides the beach?

Plenty. Climb the 1,237 steps to the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) for the valley view, kayak through the mangroves and lagoons at Ao Thalane, take the Four Islands or Hong Islands longtail tours, swim at the Emerald Pool and Hot Springs inland, or rock-climb Railay's world-famous limestone routes. Ao Nang's night market and dive shops fill the evenings.

Do Krabi hotels have pools at budget prices?

Most 3-star resorts here do, even at £20–30 a night. Green View Village Resort, Aonang Viva Resort, Aonang Paradise Resort and The Verandah all have pools in the budget band, which is a luxury you rarely get at that price in Europe. The cheapest 2-star guesthouses (from £14) usually skip the pool, but the beach and hotel-pool day passes are never far away.

Is Ao Nang or Railay better for a first visit to Krabi?

Ao Nang for a first visit — it has the widest choice of hotels, restaurants, tour operators and the easiest transport, plus it's the launch point for Railay boats. Railay itself is stunning but small, pricier for its handful of resorts, and reachable only by boat. Base yourself in Ao Nang from this guide's list and treat Railay as a spectacular day trip or a single splurge night.

How do I get around Krabi without a car?

Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run set routes between Krabi Town and Ao Nang for 50–60 baht, longtail boats cover the beaches Railay and the islands, and Grab works in Krabi Town for private rides. Many travellers rent a scooter for around 200–250 baht a day to explore inland spots like the Tiger Cave and Emerald Pool. Most hotels here can arrange tours and transfers directly.

Are Krabi's beaches safe for swimming?

The main mainland beaches — Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara and Railay — are calm and safe for swimming most of the year, especially November to April. During the rainy season (June–October) the sea can get choppy and some island boat trips pause; watch for any red flags and check locally before long swims. The shallow, gentle water is part of why Krabi suits families and less confident swimmers.

Which is the cheapest bookable hotel in Krabi right now?

On the live prices behind this guide, Aonang Goodwill Hotel is the cheapest at around £14 a night — a simple 2-star base within reach of Ao Nang. T2 Ao Nang Krabi follows at about £15. Prices move with the season and your dates, so tap through to each hotel's live page for the current rate; midweek and rainy-season stays are consistently the cheapest.

Do I need a visa for Thailand as a UK traveller?

UK passport holders can enter Thailand for tourism under the visa-exemption scheme for stays up to a set number of days — check the current allowance and any registration requirements before you fly, as Thai entry rules change from time to time. You'll need a passport valid for at least six months and proof of onward travel. No advance visa is needed for a standard short beach holiday.

What currency do I use in Krabi and are cards accepted?

The Thai baht (THB) is the currency. Hotels, larger restaurants and tour desks in Ao Nang take cards, but Krabi Town markets, street food, songthaews and longtail boats are cash-only. ATMs are plentiful (they charge a ~220 baht fee per withdrawal), and 7-Eleven stores are everywhere for top-ups. Carry cash for the day-to-day and keep a card for hotels and bigger tours.

Which Krabi hotel has the best reviews on a budget?

The Brown Hotel stands out with over 1,400 reviews — by far the most-reviewed property in this guide — and rooms from around £23, making it one of the best-known cheap stays in Krabi Town. For beach-side reliability, Andamanee Boutique Resort (368 reviews, ~£47) and Holiday Style Ao Nang Beach Resort (166 reviews, ~£45) are strong, well-reviewed Ao Nang picks.

Can I book these exact Krabi hotels at the prices shown?

Yes — every hotel name in this guide links to its own live page on JetMeAway, with real-time rates, all taxes shown, and a date picker to match your trip. The from-prices quoted were pulled on live searches while writing; your dates will differ, especially between rainy and peak season, so tap through for today's number. No booking fees either way.

Is Krabi cheaper than Phuket?

Generally, yes. Krabi's room rates, food and tours tend to run lower than Phuket's busier, more developed resort areas, while the scenery — limestone cliffs, quieter beaches and easy island access — is arguably better. Phuket has more nightlife and a wider hotel range at the top end; Krabi wins on value and natural drama, which is why budget travellers and families often prefer it.

How many days do I need in Krabi?

Four to five days is a comfortable first visit — enough for a couple of beach days in Ao Nang, a Railay day trip, one island tour (Four Islands or Hong Islands), and an inland trip to the Tiger Cave Temple or Emerald Pool. With a week you can add Koh Lanta or a slower pace. Because rooms are so cheap, extending your stay barely moves the budget.

Are Krabi hotels good for couples?

Very much so. Quieter, adults-friendly resorts like Loy Chalet (£64), Na Sook Resort (£52), Aonang Eco Villa (£62) and Tinidee Hideaway Tonsai Beach (£84) offer garden or beachside calm at prices that leave plenty over for sunset longtail trips and cliff-top dinners. Krabi's dramatic scenery makes it one of Thailand's most romantic beach bases on a modest budget.

What's the best way to see Krabi's limestone cliffs and islands?

Take a longtail-boat island tour. The classic Four Islands tour (Phra Nang Cave Beach, Tup, Chicken and Poda islands) and the Hong Islands tour both showcase the towering karst cliffs rising straight out of turquoise water, with snorkelling stops. Half-day trips run around £20–30 and leave from Ao Nang or Nopparat Thara pier — the single best-value way to see why Krabi is one of Thailand's most breathtaking coastlines.