From Wikitravel

Krabi (กระบี่) is the provincial capital of Krabi Province, Thailand.

[edit] Understand

Krabi is a small city with a population of around 18,000. Located just upriver from the coast, it has no beaches and hence visitors make a beeline for Had Yao, Ao Nang or Rai Leh (Railay).

[edit] Get in

Direct connections are by air and road; travellers can also take a train to Surat Thani and continue on to Krabi by bus from there.

[edit] By plane

Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 10 km from the city limits, 15km from city centre, 40km from Ao Nang and 23km from Had Yao. Thai Airways operates daily direct flights to/from Bangkok, likewise Air Asia from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Tiger Airways flies direct to/from Singapore nearly every day of the week and to/from Darwin on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. One-Two-Go Airlines operates daily flights to Krabi from Bangkok (DonMuang). Krabi Airline, a newly established airline will start it's operations in January 2008. Tentative 1st Flight Operation From Oslo (OSL) Norway and Munich (MUC) Germany on 19th of January 2008 respectively. Destination Air Shuttle, Thailand's only Seaplane service also routinely flies in and out of Krabi (Au Nangh) from Phuket and to a numerous outer islands.

The international departure tax surcharge is 700 baht but is included in most tickets now; domestic departure tax is included in the price of the flight.

National Car Rental has a branch at the airport; motorcycle taxi rides are available outside the terminal.

Krabi Limousine (tel. +66-75692073) has a desk inside the terminal and provides "limousine taxi" (using large air-conditioned sedans) transport to Krabi for 500 baht; Ao Nang for 800 baht; Phuket for 2500 baht. Krabi.com offers taxi and minibus (minivans) for less however travellers have to make deposit payment of 200 baht online via credit card.

An airconditioned Airport Bus service started in 2007, fares are 90baht to Krabi and 150 baht to Ao Nang. The bus service meets all incoming flights and serves most outgoing flights (note: it is not possible to catch the first 12go plane in the morning with the new airport bus service) A songthaew to Krabi town is 40 baht from the road outside. Going to the airport they will drop you right at the departure terminal.

[edit] By train

Krabi has no train station. There are multiple daily trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The most comfortable are the overnight trains that arrive in Surat Thani early in the morning. There are many bus connections from Surat Thani to Krabi.

[edit] By bus

Buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (tel. +66-24351199) to Krabi take about 12 hours and depart as follows:

• VIP bus - 07:20 - 710 baht
• First class bus - 19:00 - 486 baht
• Second class bus - 07:30, 19:00, 19:30, 21:00 - 378 baht

Buses also run from the east coast with connection to ferries to Ko Samui and onward. Choose your ticket carefully - the trip should take no more than three hours, but some travellers have endured ridiculous ten hour rides (giving thieves ample time to go through the bags underneath the bus) which included extensive "repair stops" right in front of restaurants coincidentally affiliated with the bus company... such hassles can be avoided by using state/government-run BKS buses instead of dodgy private operators.

Shuttle buses run between Krabi airport and Phuket airport several times a day. There are also regular buses that make the 2 hour run.

Buses to/from Ao Nang charge 40 baht and run every ten minutes during the day and every 30 minutes after dark.

[edit] By car

Krabi is located on Highway 4. Shared songthaews (pickup truck taxis) from Ao Nang to Krabi are frequent and cost Bt 40.

[edit] By boat

Ferries run from/to Ko Phi Phi, Ko Jum and Ko Lanta daily. Most depart in the morning. Tickets can be purchased at the dock or from tourist offices and most local guesthouses and hotels. The normal passenger ferry does not start from the center of town anymore, but from a new passenger port about 3 km outside Krabi. Free taxi transfer to the pier should be included in the price of your ticket. If your boat starts from the old piers in the center of town (Chao Fah pier or Phi Phi pier), you are most likely on a more expensive and longer tourist boat ride. Also, make sure that when you arrive at the airport the taxi driver takes you to the correct pier. Many times they'll take you to a travel agent near the old pier and sell you additional accommodations or services. Only ever buy the ticket you need. Prices will often get cheaper the closer you get to your next destination.

Ferry tickets to Ko Phi Phi are 350 baht when purchased from a travel agent.

The large displayed time-tables in the many travel agencies are just for show and the times are not to be taken literally. Ask. As of July 2007, there were two ferries a day from Krabi to Ko Phi Phi a day: 10am and 2:30pm. They add additional ferries during high-season.

The pier at Klong Jilad, for ferries to and from Ko Phi Phi has a taxi desk with posted prices: 150 baht to Krabi town, and 350 baht to the airport.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

This article is about the town of Krabi. See Krabi province for attractions elsewhere, including Krabi's famous beaches.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Krabi town, too, is far cheaper than any of the tourist resorts - this is reflected in the price of food and drinks especially. There are two night markets in Krabi town that are worth a look, also a vogue department store where real items can be found cheaper than in Ao Nang. Do check out the Tesco Lotus Shopping Mall which is near the airport. Prices are cheap and there are lots of eateries available there.

[edit][add listing] Eat

At night there is a charming night market close to the promenade next to the piers. Food is good and cheap, with Muslim influences. From time to time the town organizes shows on a small stage next to the market.

An even better market can be found on Maharat Soi (Lane) 10 in the centre of town. This market has plenty of fresh fruit and lots of authentic cooked food. Only a few places have menus, otherwise point and enjoy. This market does not sell alcohol.

Not to be missed is the covered morning market (the biggest in South Thailand) on Maharat Soi 7 (behind the Shell station). For early birds only. After 8am all the action is subsiding. Exactly at that time you can watch a show of national pride: the national anthem is playing and almost everyone comes to a standstill for a minute. The best place to get all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetable, khao njao (sticky rice), PatongKhoo, ChaThai (sweetened Thai-Tea) or fresh hot soymilk. The section of fresh fish and meat sellers is for hardened stomachs only.

There are several Italian restaurants of varying degrees of authenticity. Viva has Italian management and probably the best food.

The Hotpot Buffet Restaurant on the 2nd floor of the Tesco Lotus shopping is value for money! Pay 139 baht and eat all the crap you can stomach!

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are a number of bars and cafe bars in Krabi town center that cater for tourist, expat and locals. A few of them will have live local bands at the weekend belting out cover songs. Stick to the main areas and it is most unlikely you will have anything but a pleasant time

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Chan Cha Lay, 55 Utarakit Road, ☎ +66''-75620952 (chanchalay_krabi@hotmail.com). A great, highly recommended budget option. This small hotel is clean and well-kept, and the design interesting & tasteful, cosy, cheery. Centrally located, there are endless food options nearby. Rooms 250 baht with shared bath, 350 baht with for private bath (low season). Air-con rooms also available. edit

• City Hotel, 15/2-4 Sukon Road, ☎ +66-75611961 (fax: +66-75621282). Standard western style hotel, comfortable but not especially luxurious. Trappings include hot water and cable TV. Double rooms with fan start from 450 baht and rooms with air-con from 550 baht. Annoying free wake-up call at 11AM. edit

• Good Dream Guesthouse, 83 Uttarakit Road, ☎ +66 -75622993 (krabidream@gmail.com, fax: 75622993). Centrally located budget guest house with many foreigner options for food and drink nearby and free Internet/Wi-Fi for guests. All rooms have hot water. 120-450 baht.  edit

• Phanom Bencha Mountain Resort, ☎ +66-75660-501 (info.pbmr@gmail.com), [1]. This garden resort is a 15-minute ride from downtown Krabi and the airport, and has a natural swimming pool and trekking opportunities in the adjacent Phanom Bencha National Park. Low/high season prices are: double bungalows for 4 people 1000/1300 baht; single bungalows 500/800 baht; tents 350 baht. This is an eco resort. edit

• Swallow Guesthouse, 31 Maharaj Soi 4. One of the longest running guesthouses in Krabi, right in town, minutes from all markets, shopping, etc. Extremely clean fan rooms only and friendly service. 200-350 baht [2007-8].  edit

[edit] Get out

• Ko Siboya

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