Things to do in Railay
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Railay
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Calm seas, reliable longtails, best climbing conditions; peak December to February.
Monsoon: rougher crossings, some boats stop; September and October wettest.
What's on
- Songkran 13-15 April
Thai New Year water fights; busy and hot.
- Loy Krathong November full moon
Lanterns on the beach.
Best things to do in Railay
Phra Nang Beach
White sand, clear water and karsts; go before 10am for calm water and few boats.
Tham Phra Nang
Shrine cave at the south end of Phra Nang Beach dedicated to the princess spirit.
Railay Viewpoint
Steep rope-assisted scramble to a panorama over the peninsula; skip after rain.
Princess Lagoon
Muddy lagoon below the viewpoint; go for the view, the lagoon is optional.
Diamond Cave
Short boardwalk cave near East Railay; a 30-minute shade break.
Real Rocks Climbing School
Established Railay climbing school; half-day beginner courses with all gear.
Railay West Beach
The sunset swimming beach; fire shows on the sand most evenings in season.
Tonsai Beach
The climbers' beach: raw, cheap, walls overhead; walk the trail or take a longtail.
Where to stay in Railay
Railay West
The classic Railay trip
Railay East
Best value on the peninsula
Phra Nang
A splurge
Tonsai
Climbers and budgets
Think twice about
- Krabi Town
An hour-plus transfer each way to the boats; fine for a transit night, not as a Railay base.
- Ao Nang for a Railay-focused trip
More restaurants and nightlife, but you would commute to Railay by longtail daily.
- East Railay beachfront rooms
At low tide the East side is exposed mangrove mud; fine if you walk to West beach.
Best restaurants in Railay
Mangrove Restaurant
The Railay canteen: huge menu, low prices; order the khao soi and grilled fish.
Railay Family Restaurant
Family-run spot with big portions of Thai and seafood at fair prices.
Flame Tree Restaurant
Reliable Thai and international dinner where the Walking Street meets the beach.
The Grotto
Special-occasion dinner under a limestone overhang at Phra Nang Beach.
Jen Bar and Restaurant
Wooden restaurant with live music; good Thai food under the trees.
Kohinoor Indian Restaurant & Pizza
Railay's Indian option for when Thai food fatigue sets in.
Kamar Bar
Spacious bar-restaurant; the grilled chicken is the famous order.
Mama's Chicken Rice
Simple cheap chicken rice; the climbers' default lunch on Tonsai.
Best bars in Railay
The Last Bar
End-of-the-beach bar for sunset drinks in front of the fire shows.
Outdoor things to do in Railay
Poda Island
Main stop on the Four Islands longtail tour; snorkeling and sandbar beach.
Chicken Island
Clear-water snorkeling around the island's edges; calmest in the morning.
Hong Island
Hidden lagoon for kayaking, a viewpoint hike and a top beach; full-day trip.
Maya Bay
The famous Phi Phi bay; go on an early speedboat to beat the crowds.
Ao Nang Beach
Departure point for night kayaks and the evening trip for markets and nightlife.
Khao Ngon Nak
The area's best summit hike; 3 to 4 hours round trip with bay views.
Emerald Pool
Mineral-blue swimming pool on the inland day trip with the hot springs.
Best hotels in Railay
Sand Sea Resort
Right on West beach with a pool; the classic mid-range Railay stay.
Railay Village Resort
Villas and pool rooms on the West beach sand.
Railay Bay Resort & Spa
Cottages spread across the West beachfront.
Railay Princess Resort & Spa
Two pools on East Railay, short walk to the caves beach.
Bhu Nga Thani Resort
Resort pools on East Railay; good value for the peninsula.
Avatar Railay
Modern rooms near the Walking Street on the east side.
Rayavadee
The peninsula's landmark luxury resort by Phra Nang Beach.
Railay Phutawan Resort
Tropical rooms between East Railay and Phra Nang.
Is Railay expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | THB 1,500 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | THB 3,500 a person |
| Splurge | THB 9,000 a person |
| No limits | THB 15,000 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Real Rocks Climbing School: a few days ahead
- Poda Island: a few days ahead
- Chicken Island: a few days ahead
- Hong Island: a few days ahead
- Maya Bay: a few days ahead
- The Grotto: weeks ahead
- Sand Sea Resort: weeks ahead
- Railay Village Resort: weeks ahead
- Rayavadee December to March: book months ahead.
- Other Railay hotels November to April: book weeks ahead.
- Climbing courses in high season: book a day or two ahead.
Is Railay safe?
- Risks are the sea and the rock, not crime.
- Skip longtails in rough monsoon seas; wear grippy shoes on the viewpoint trail.
- Climb only with certified guides and checked gear.
- Emergency: tourist police 1155, ambulance 1669, police 191.
Railay travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Longtail price drift: agree fare and return time before boarding.
- Swimming at East Railay at low tide is mangrove mud; walk to West.
- 'Railay' hotels actually in Ao Nang: check the map before booking.
Getting around Railay: public transport and more
- No roads on Railay: everything is on foot; West to East is 5 minutes.
- Longtails to Ao Nang run in daylight; agree price and last boat before boarding.
- Bring enough cash from Ao Nang or Krabi; cards carry surcharges in small places.
- No scooters, no cars on the peninsula.
Who Railay suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | Good |
Make Railay your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App Store