Railay Beach

Travelers come for limestone cliffs, rock climbing and beaches reached only by longtail boat, at a slower pace than the towns nearby.

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Railay is a limestone peninsula on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand, in Krabi Province. No road reaches it, so you arrive by longtail or speedboat from Ao Nang or Krabi Town. Most visitors come for the steep limestone cliffs that rise out of the sand and water, and for climbing them. The west and east beaches are lined with bungalows, resorts and restaurants.

Railay suits travelers who want beach days, rock climbing and boat trips to nearby islands, and who don't mind taking a boat for every outing. It is quieter and more relaxed than the towns on the mainland, but it has fewer shops and services. The dry season, roughly November through April, is the most reliable time to visit. May through October brings more rain and rougher seas. Plan two or three nights to cover the beaches and a climbing session.

Railay Beach in five

Get to Railay only by longtail boatRailay has no road, so every trip in and out is by longtail boat from a pier on the mainland. Ask your hotel which pier it uses before you book, since the boat schedule and fares differ by pier.Getting around
Carry baht cash for boats and small shopsLongtail fares, small restaurants and beach stalls often want cash, so carry Thai baht in small notes. Agree the fare with the driver before you board.Money and costs
Check the tide before a beach dayThe tide changes how much sand you get at Railay West and how close boats can come to the shore. Look up a tide table for your dates before you plan a beach day or a boat transfer.
Pack water shoes for the rocksThe shore and the limestone paths between the beaches are sharp, so water shoes are more useful than flip-flops. Bring them for the walk to Phra Nang Cave Beach too.
Leave the Phra Nang shrine offerings alonePhra Nang Cave Beach has a spirit shrine where people leave offerings, including carved wooden figures. Do not touch, move or take them, and keep your voice down near the shrine.

Things to do in Railay Beach

See all attractions in Railay Beach

Woman on beach with longtail boat and cliffs

Beach · Railay BeachRailay Beach

Sight · Railay BeachTham Phra Nang

Landmark · Railay BeachEast Railay Bay Beach

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Need to know

Currency: Thai baht (THB)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) filed online before arrival Read more
Emergency: 191 police, 199 fire, 1669 ambulance; tourist police 1155
Tipping: Not required; rounding up or small tips are welcome
Time: UTC+7, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, cooler
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, pleasant
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh34°Low25°Dry, hot
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, Songkran
MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Rains start
JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Wet season
JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Wet, rough sea
AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Wet season
SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet season
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rain, easing
NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry season starts
DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, busy

Average daily high and low in Railay Beach, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Railay Beach

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 97%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Railay Beach

03:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today31°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°24°98%Wednesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
Thu30°23°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri31°24°98%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
Sat31°23°98%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Sun30°24°92%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.

Updated 01:06 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Ao Nangabout 20 to 30 min by longtail boatHotels, shops and the main road links, a short boat ride from Railay.
Krabi Townabout 40 to 60 min by boat and roadThe provincial capital, with markets and a more local feel than the beaches.Read the guide
Phi Phi Islandsabout 1.5 to 2 hours by speedboatSnorkeling and island tours; choose a tour that suits the tide and the weather.

Before you go to Railay Beach

eSIM for ThailandOffline maps help when signal dropsRead the guide

Insurance for boats and climbingCover for boat transfers and climbsRead the guide

Cash and cards in ThailandBaht cash for boats and small shopsRead the guide

Stays on Railay West and EastCompare bases before you bookRead the guide

Rules for Railay Beach, checked

Many passports enter visa-free, but the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be filed before you arrive. Check tdac.immigration.go.th for current rules.Source
E-cigarettes and vapes are banned in Thailand, and bringing them in can lead to fines or prison. Check Thai Customs before you travel.Source
Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and shrines, and take off your shoes where asked.

Plan around Railay Beach

All of Thailand

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Thailand trip

Read the guide Krabi province

The province, the boats out to Railay and the wider coast

Read the guide Where to stay

Bases for a beach, climbing or quiet stay

Read the guide Getting around Thailand

Flights, buses and boats for the trip to Krabi

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical costs for a Thai trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and how to file the arrival card

Read the guide

Railay Beach FAQ

Is Railay Beach worth visiting?

Yes, for the limestone cliffs, rock climbing and beaches reached only by boat. It suits travelers who want quiet evenings, since the choice of bars and shops is small.

How many days do you need in Railay?

Two or three nights covers a beach day, a climbing morning and one boat trip to nearby islands. Stay longer only if you plan to climb a lot or want slow days.

Should I stay in Railay West or Railay East?

Railay West has the main beach, most of the restaurants and the most boat traffic. Railay East is quieter, with resorts and mangrove views, but it has fewer places to eat.

When is the best time to visit Railay Beach?

November to February has the most reliable weather. From about May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and rough seas, and boat trips can be canceled.

Can you rock climb at Railay without experience?

Yes. Climbing schools on Railay run beginner sessions with guides. Choose an operator with qualified guides and ask about its safety record before you book.

Is Railay Beach better than Ao Nang?

Railay is quieter and more secluded because it has no road access. Ao Nang has more hotels, shops and transport links, so it is the easier base for a first trip to Krabi.