If you’re wondering whether Ao Nang or Krabi Town is the right choice for your next Thailand trip, this complete guide will help you decide where to stay. Ao Nang and Krabi Town are located very close together on the West coast of southern Thailand.
Most people refer to the area as just Krabi, which is mostly due to the international airport and major bus station located there. However, Ao Nang is actually far more popular among tourists, so you should take care when choosing where to stay.
We summarised all the pros and cons of staying in Ao Nang vs Krabi Town to help you plan your perfect Thailand trip.
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Why you can trust this article about Ao Nang and Krabi
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for South East Asia travel tips and information. I’ve been traveling to Thailand for more than 25 years, which feels crazy to say, but it’s true.
Needless to say, Thailand has changed a lot over the years, and I’m here to keep you updated on travel information and the best things to do or see. I live in Bali, which is just a short journey from beautiful Thailand, and I end up coming here several times per year for extended trips.
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Krabi and, specifically, Ao Nang have always been a go-to destination for me since there is a fantastic mix of nightlife, activities, and nice beaches in the area. I’ve stayed in both Krabi Town and Ao Nang plenty of times, so I can tell you exactly what the pros and cons of either of them are.
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No time to read? Should you stay in Ao Nang or Krabi Town?
For the majority of tourists, I would recommend staying in Ao Nang instead of Krabi Town. Ao Nang is easier to navigate as a tourist, and it has a bigger selection of activities, nice hotels, and nightlife. But most importantly, it has direct beach access, while Krabi Town does not.
Most tourists coming to southern Thailand are looking for a beach vacation, so I would highly recommend Ao Nang instead of Krabi Town if you want to spend most of your time by the water.
Ao Nang is a beach town made for tourists, so you’ll find everything you might need there. Krabi Town, in comparison, is a larger city with mostly local residents, which can make your trip more authentic but also slightly disappointing if you were hoping for more tourist activities.
| Ao Nang | Krabi Town | |
| Authenticity | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Things to do | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Restaurants | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nightlife | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Beaches | ★★★★☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Hotels | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Ao Nang vs Krabi Town pros and cons
Here are the pros and cons of staying in Ao Nang vs Krabi Town at a glance.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Ao Nang | -beaches -nightlife -good hotel selection -more things to do | -bars can be loud -fewer cultural activities -very touristy -further away from the airport and bus station |
| Krabi Town | -quieter -museums and culture -more authentic -closer to the airport and bus station | -no beaches -not as much nightlife -not as many hotels -fewer activities |
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What’s more touristy: Ao Nang or Krabi Town?
Ao Nang is definitely a lot more touristy than Krabi Town. It consists mostly of larger hotels, bars, clubs, and affordable restaurants made for tourists.
If you’re looking for a more authentic experience and a glimpse into Thai culture, this is probably not the place for you. In Ao Nang, everything is made for tourists, while tourism in Krabi Town is more of a byproduct.
You’ll get to visit more local temples and museums in Krabi Town and will find places to eat that are more authentic than what you’ll come across in Ao Nang.
But keep in mind that Krabi Town is not necessarily a cultural hub like Chiang Mai or even Bangkok. If your main goal is getting to know the real Thailand, Krabi is not the best choice in my opinion. Yes, it’s less touristy than Ao Nang, but it’s not one of the most beautiful or authentic places in Thailand in general.
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Ao Nang vs Krabi: Things to do
Winner: Both
Ao Nang is small, so there aren’t a lot of things to do in town itself. Most activities are located further out, like the popular Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool, or the hot springs. If you’re hoping to go there, it doesn’t really matter if you stay in Krabi or Ao Nang since you’ll have to get a grab or taxi there anyway.
There are some specific attractions located in Ao Nang and Krabi Town. In Ao Nang, you’ve got the beaches, the Monkey Trail, the Muay Thai Stadium, Klong Root, and the Mountain Buddha Temple right in town. You can also go to the night market or jump on a boat to Railay Beach, which you can’t really get to directly from Krabi Town.
Ao Nang’s pier is also where most boat tours in the area start, so if you’re planning on going snorkeling or booking a day trip, this is the way to go.
Krabi Town has Khao Khanab Nam Cave, the Andaman Cultural Study Center, the night markets, the Pak Nam River, and the HM Lanta War Ship Museum.
There is no obvious choice between Ao Nang and Krabi if you’re mainly concerned about the number of activities because so many of them are day trips, and both towns have local attractions to explore.
Ao Nang vs Krabi: Restaurants & food
Winner: Ao Nang
Both Ao Nang and Krabi have delicious and affordable food options, the main difference is that you’ll find more international and diverse offers in Ao Nang, while Krabi is mostly local Thai food.
Since Ao Nang is more touristy, there are a variety of cuisines available, such as Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian or Mexican. You’ll also find some nicer Western restaurants and cafes here.
Krabi has those, too, but just a lot less to choose from. Luckily, there is plenty of authentic Thai food around, so if you’re not too worried about varriety, you’ll be happy either way.
Both Krabi and Ao Nang have large night markets. I always find the Ao Nang markets busier and more touristy, while the Krabi Town markets are more geared towards locals and slightly more affordable.
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Ao Nang vs Krabi: Nightlife
Winner: Ao Nang
Ao Nang has a decent amount of nightlife, which is very similar to what you will find on many Thai islands like Koh Phangan or Koh Phi Phi. There are plenty of loud bars selling buckets and cheap mixed drinks. You can go out and party almost every day of the week, and you’ll find that the crowd is mostly young backpackers.
There aren’t many large clubs, but mostly bars with dance floors and a DJ. Most venues are open air and you won’t be charged entry. If you’re after something less hectic, you’ll also find quite a few bars playing live music.
Krabi Town has a lot less nightlife, although you can still find quite a few lively bars. There is generally less dancing and more live music bars. If you’re not too keen on going out, Krabi Town might be better for you. However, if you’re staying in a quiet part of town, you can also have a relaxing time in Railay Beach.
Ao Nang vs Krabi: Beaches
Winner: Ao Nang
Krabi Town does not have a beach, so you’ll have to drive around 25 minutes to Ao Nang to the nearest beach. If you don’t mind this, then staying in Krabi Town can be a great choice.
The main beach in Ao Nang is actually not the best, and the water can be quite cloudy. It’s still a nice beach for swimming and relaxing, but it’s not as beautiful as others around Thailand. If you’re hoping to spend as much time as possible at stunning beaches in Thailand, you should have a look at this island-hopping itinerary.
Railay Beach is definitely the best beach close to Krabi and Ao Nang, and you can easily go there on a day trip. If you follow the Monkey Trail, you’ll get to Pai Plong Beach, which is slightly nicer than Ao Nang Beach.
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Ao Nang vs Krabi: Hotels & resorts
Winner: Ao Nang
You’ll find a decent selection of hotels for all budgets in both Krabi Town and Ao Nang. However, Ao Nang has a much better selection of nice resorts and better-quality hotels.
Most hotels in Krabi Town are slightly lower quality and best for shorter stays, while Ao Nang has some very impressive and comfortable options perfect for a beach holiday.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for backpackers?
Most backpackers choose to stay in Ao Nang instead of Krabi Town, mostly because of the beaches and nightlife. Prices in Ao Nang are very affordable, and it’s easy to get around on foot, so the town is perfect for budget travelers.
The hostels in Ao Nang are more lively and party-oriented than in Krabi Town, so there is always something going on.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for families?
Depending on the age of the kids, it’s probably best to choose Ao Nang instead of Krabi Town for a family vacation. This is mostly because of the lack of beaches in the latter but also because of the hotel selection, which is a lot more family-friendly in Ao Nang.
Just keep the nightlife in mind, which can get very loud in some parts of town. Make sure to choose a hotel in a quiet corner to make sure everyone can sleep through the night.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for couples?
Neither Ao Nang nor Krabi Town are particularly romantic destinations, and if you’re looking for a true hidden getaway, you might enjoy Railay Beach or Koh Lanta more.
However, if you’re only choosing between Ao Nang and Krabi Town for a couples’ vacation, I would recommend Ao Nang. The beaches make it a true winner, plus the nightlife might be fun to explore with your significant other.
Is Ao Nang or Krabi Town better for solo travelers?
If you’re traveling solo in Thailand and are hoping to make some new friends along the way, you’ll love Ao Nang. The hostels here are very social, so you’ll meet others in no time.
Krabi Town is not a bad option either, but in my experience, the hostels aren’t quite as busy in comparison.
How to get around Ao Nang & Krabi Town
Luckily, both Ao Nang and Krabi Town are very walkable, so getting around is easy. If you’re planning day trips or need to figure out transportation from the bus station or airport, you should check out our complete transport and grab guide to Krabi and Ao Nang.
You’ll find out everything you need to know about getting around, hiring a private driver, renting a scooter, and much more.
How to get from Krabi Town to Ao Nang
The best way to get from Krabi Town to Ao Nang or vice versa is to take a grab. If that is unavailable, you can also get a taxi or jump on a Songthaew bus. The drive takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on where you’re staying.
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Krabi Town vs Ao Nang FAQ
Railay Beach is much more beautiful and quieter than Krabi, but there is also less going on, and it’s slightly more expensive.
Krabi is less touristy than Phuket and close to incredible nature, while Phuket is larger and more developed.
Ao Nang is a very safe place, much like most other places around Thailand. Just keep your belongings close on a night out.
Ao Nang has better beaches and nightlife, while Krabi has more museums and culture.
Ao Nang is a great place for an affordable beach vacation, and with its many activities, it’s well worth a visit.
Railay Beach is very small and secluded, with stunning beaches, while Ao Nang is much larger, with a better selection of hotels and restaurants and slightly lower prices.
Ao Nang Beach is not extremely crowded, and you can usually find a quiet spot to sit if you walk for a bit.
Before you go…
You’re ready to plan your trip to Krabi or Ao Nang, so we think you might enjoy our other Thailand travel guides.
Here are the best things to do in Bangkok on your birthday, our Thai currency guide, and our article on how to visit Koh Tao’s famous lost hotel. You might also find our transport guides to places like Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Tao, and Khao Sok helpful.
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