The crossing
Ao Nang to Railay by longtail boat: ten to fifteen minutes
Railay is a peninsula, not an island — but limestone cliffs cut it off from the mainland completely, so the only way in is by boat. The crossing from Ao Nang is one of the shortest and most-asked-about boat rides in Thailand.
Quick answer
A longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay takes ten to fifteen minutes. Boats run through the day from the beach at Ao Nang and land at Railay West. There is no road: the cliffs behind Railay make it reachable only by sea, which is exactly why it feels like an island when you get there.
The crossing, at a glance
- Time
- 10–15 minutesAo Nang to Railay West
- Boat
- Longtailshared, leaving when full
- Departs from
- Ao Nang beachoff the sand, not a pier
- Lands at
- Railay Westalso off the sand
- Road access
- Nonecliffs cut the peninsula off
- Also reachable from
- Ao Nammaoa similar short crossing
- From Krabi Town
- About 40 minutesa longer boat ride
- Private longtail day trips
- From $127island hopping from Railay itself
- Wet landing
- Normalyou wade the last couple of metres
- Shoes
- Ones you can get wetor carry them
What the crossing is actually like
Off the sand, and back onto sand
A wet landing at both ends, ten to fifteen minutes, and cliffs getting bigger all the way.
There is no pier at either end. The boat comes in bow-first onto the beach, you wade a couple of metres and climb over the side. Do that in shoes you do not mind soaking, or carry them.
Boats leave when they are full. Shared longtails run through the day and go when enough people are aboard, so the wait is the variable rather than the crossing.
The crossing itself is short and shallow. Ten to fifteen minutes around the headland, with the cliffs of Railay getting bigger the whole way.
Railay West is where you land. From there Railay East, Phra Nang beach and the climbing walls are all a short walk.
Island hopping from Railay instead of Ao Nang
The same islands from a different side
If you are sleeping on Railay, start your boat day there — it saves two crossings.
You do not have to come back to Ao Nang to start a boat trip. A private longtail island hopping trip leaving from Railay costs $127 and runs four to six hours — the same four islands, approached from the other side.
Why it matters: if you are staying on Railay, this removes two crossings and a lot of faff from your day.
And if you are staying in Ao Nang, the Ao Nang departures are the ones to book: from $105 for a private longtail, or $53 for a shared seat on the sunset run.
Common questions
The crossing, answered
How long is the longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay?
Ten to fifteen minutes, landing at Railay West.
Is there a road to Railay?
No. Limestone cliffs cut the peninsula off from the mainland, so boats are the only way in and out.
Where do the boats leave from?
Off the beach at Ao Nang rather than from a pier. You wade the last couple of metres at both ends.
Do the boats run on a timetable?
Shared longtails leave when they are full rather than to a fixed schedule, so the waiting is the variable, not the crossing.
Can I do an island hopping trip from Railay?
Yes — a private longtail from Railay is $127 for four to six hours around the same islands.
What should I wear for the crossing?
Shoes you can get wet, or carry them. Landings are on sand at both ends.
Go deeper
More on island hopping in Krabi
What it costs
From $53 to $611, plus the park fees nobody mentions.
The verdictWhich trip is best
All fourteen ranked, by islands rather than by number.
The classicThe four islands
Poda, Chicken, Tup and Mor, and the sandbar between them.
The lagoonThe Hong Islands
A separate group, and an almost enclosed lagoon.
SunsetThe sunset run
Seven islands, a barbecue, and a swim after dark.
Further outPhi Phi
An hour out by speedboat, and what the day costs.
