How to Get to Railay Beach From Ao Nang: Boat Schedule & Guide
No road or bridge access, boat is the only way in
The standard way to reach Railay Beach from Ao Nang is a 10 to 15 minute shared longtail boat, 100 THB (RM13) one-way or 200 THB (RM25) return, departing from Ao Nang's southern pier roughly 8am to 6pm daily. Railay has no road or bridge access, boat is the only way in. Here's the full schedule and everything you need to know.
The standard route: Ao Nang to Railay West
Pay cash at the counter, board once the boat fills
Walk to the ticket counter at the southern end of Ao Nang Beach (the "Ao Nang Beach Long Tail Boat Service Club"), pay cash, and board once the boat fills, typically 8 to 10 passengers. Boats run 8am to 6pm daily, landing at Railay West. The crossing takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on weather and sea conditions.
Real pricing
Standard fare unchanged for years, with a night surcharge after 6pm
| Fare type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One-way (before 6pm) | 100 THB (RM13) | Standard shared longtail |
| Return | 200 THB (RM25) | Keep your ticket, losing it means paying again |
| One-way (after 6pm/6:30pm) | 150 THB (RM19) | Night surcharge applies |
| Private charter (up to 9–10pm) | 600–800 THB (RM76–102) | Whole boat, negotiate directly with the driver |
Sourced from weseektravel.com, outthailand.com, yodpimanriverwalk.com, and couplestravelstories.ca. RM figures are approximate conversions and will shift with the exchange rate.
Alternative routes, if you're coming from elsewhere
If you're based in Krabi Town rather than Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao Pier (roughly 12km south of Krabi Town, a 20-minute taxi ride) runs longtail boats to Railay East for 100 THB, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, Chao Fa Pier in Krabi Town itself runs boats directly to Railay for 100 to 150 THB, though this takes longer, 30 to 45 minutes depending on stops.
Buying your ticket and boarding
You don't need to book ahead, just walk up to the counter and pay cash. Boats depart once they reach roughly 8 to 10 passengers, meaning a short wait (10 to 20 minutes off-peak, faster during high season) is normal. If you buy a return ticket, keep it safe for the trip back, losing it means paying the fare again at the Railay end.
The wet landing, and what to wear
A completely normal part of the crossing
At low tide, the water can retreat far enough that you'll wade through soft, wet sand to actually reach the boat. Wear sandals you don't mind getting wet rather than shoes, this is a completely normal part of the crossing, not something to plan around avoiding.
Best time to go
8:30 to 9am makes a genuine difference before day-trippers arrive
Arrive at the Ao Nang pier around 8:30 to 9:00am specifically if you want to beat the day-tripper crowds and catch Phra Nang Cave Beach before boats start unloading around 10:30am. This timing lets you see all four of Railay's beaches, the Princess Cave, and the viewpoint in relative quiet.
Weather and seasonal considerations
November to April is the dry season and the most reliable window for crossings. The May to October monsoon period can bring bad weather that delays or cancels boat crossings entirely, worth building in slack if you have a same-day flight or tight connection afterward.
Practical tips
Confirm the price before boarding, even though 100 THB is the standard, confirming avoids any confusion or attempted overcharging.
Bring small cash bills, boats are cash-only and drivers may not always have change for larger notes.
Arrive early if crowds and photo opportunities matter to you, the 8:30 to 9am window genuinely makes a difference before the busier mid-morning period.
Check the Thailand Digital Arrival Card requirement if you're a non-Thai passport holder visiting the country, this is a newer, free requirement submittable from three days before arrival directly through the official immigration site, no need to pay a third-party site for it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Losing your return ticket. If you bought a 200 THB return fare, keep the ticket safe, losing it means paying the full fare again to get back to Ao Nang
- Wearing shoes you don't want to get wet. The low-tide wet landing is completely normal, sandals or footwear you're fine getting soaked are the practical choice
- Assuming boats run 24 hours. The standard shared service operates 8am to 6pm, after that you're looking at a night surcharge or a private charter, plan your return crossing with this cutoff in mind
- Not building in weather slack during monsoon season (May to October). Crossings can be delayed or cancelled in bad weather, avoid scheduling a tight same-day flight connection right after a Railay day trip during this period
- Paying a third-party site for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. It's free and available directly through the official immigration site starting three days before arrival, no need to pay a copycat service for something that costs nothing officially