Krabi or Koh Phi Phi? A mainland base with cliffs and boat trips, or a small car-free island.
The short answer: Krabi, usually meaning Ao Nang and Railay, is on the mainland, with an airport under an hour away, plenty of hotels and restaurants, and boat trips from the beach to the Four Islands, the Hong Islands and Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi is a small island two hours away by ferry: no roads or cars, a lively village around Tonsai pier, and Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh close by. Both are in Krabi province and share the same Andaman weather.
Below: a side-by-side comparison, who each one suits, and whether to stay on Phi Phi or see it on a day trip.
Krabi and Koh Phi Phi side by side
The practical differences that usually decide it. Checked in November 2026.
| Krabi (Ao Nang, Railay) | Koh Phi Phi | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Krabi Airport, under an hour from Ao Nang | Only by boat: about 2 hours by ferry from Krabi, or from Phuket's Rassada pier |
| Getting around | White songthaews between Krabi Town and Ao Nang, longtail boats to Railay | No cars or roads: you walk, or take a longtail boat |
| Beaches | Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara; Railay and Phra Nang under the cliffs, by longtail boat | Tonsai and Loh Dalum by the village, quieter beaches reached by boat |
| Nightlife | Bars in Ao Nang and Railay | Beach bars and fire shows on Loh Dalum, busy most nights |
| Day trips | Four Islands, Hong Islands, Phi Phi, the Emerald Pool and hot springs | Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island |
| Weather | Andaman coast: drier from about November to April, wetter from May to October | The same |
Going to both? Krabi to Koh Phi Phi by ferry or speedboat.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Krabi as a base if you want choice and easy connections: the cliffs at Railay, a different boat trip every day, and the airport close by.
Stay on Koh Phi Phi for a night or two if you want time on the island before the day-trip boats arrive in late morning, and you do not mind carrying your bags along footpaths.
See Phi Phi on a day trip from Ao Nang if you are short of time: tours visit Phi Phi and Maya Bay and come back the same day.
Getting there
Krabi International Airport has flights from both Bangkok airports and around a dozen international routes; Ao Nang is under an hour away, and the airport bus costs 150 baht. See Bangkok to Krabi.
Phi Phi can only be reached by boat. From Klong Jilad pier in Krabi Town the ferry takes about two hours for about 450 to 500 baht, all year; from Ao Nang, boats take about an hour but run mainly from November to April. From Phuket, boats leave Rassada pier. See Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi.
Beaches and atmosphere
Ao Nang is a busy beach town, and Railay, a short longtail ride away, has no road and sits under huge limestone cliffs. See where to stay in Krabi.
Phi Phi Don is about 8 km long, with one busy village around Tonsai pier and everything in walking distance. Day-trip boats fill the bays from late morning, and the island is busy most nights, with beach bars and fire shows on Loh Dalum. You pay a 20 baht island fee in cash when you land. See where to stay on Koh Phi Phi.
Day trips
From Ao Nang, longtail boats and speedboats leave the beach for the Four Islands, the Hong Islands and Phi Phi; see our Phi Phi trip from Krabi page.
From Phi Phi Don, longtails go to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh, which has no hotels. The national park fee there is 400 baht for foreign adults, swimming at Maya Bay is not allowed, and the bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September.
Travelling between Krabi and Koh Phi Phi
The ferry from Klong Jilad pier in Krabi Town takes about two hours and runs all year, with morning and early afternoon sailings; many tickets include a van from your hotel to the pier. Speedboats take about an hour.
In rough weather any boat can be cancelled, so do not plan a tight connection with a flight on the same day.
Krabi vs Koh Phi Phi FAQ
Is it better to stay in Krabi or on Koh Phi Phi?
Krabi is the easier base, with more choice and the airport nearby. Phi Phi is worth a night or two if you want the island without the day crowds.
Can I visit Koh Phi Phi as a day trip from Krabi?
Yes. Many tours from Krabi and Ao Nang visit Phi Phi and Maya Bay and return the same day.
How long is the ferry from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi?
About two hours from Klong Jilad pier in Krabi Town, for about 450 to 500 baht.
Are there cars on Koh Phi Phi?
No. Phi Phi Don has no roads or cars; you walk, and porters or longtail boats carry bags.
When is Maya Bay closed?
Every year from 1 August to 30 September. Swimming at Maya Bay is not allowed at any time.
Last checked: 7 November 2026. Krabi airport, airport bus, songthaews and Railay longtails from our Bangkok to Krabi and Phuket vs Krabi pages; ferries, piers and the season from our Krabi to Koh Phi Phi page (Visit Thailand Today, 12Go, Direct Ferries); Phi Phi Don size, getting around, nightlife, Maya Bay fee and closure from our Koh Lanta vs Koh Phi Phi page (Nomado, Portail Asie, phuketferry.com).