Field Guide No. 03
Ao Nang to Railay by longtail boat
Quick facts: The longtail from Ao Nang to Railay is 100 THB one-way (200 THB return), a 10-15 minute crossing. Boats go from the south end of Ao Nang beach, running 08:00-18:00 daily (last return from Railay 18:00), and leave once about 8 (boat departs when full) passengers are aboard. Railay has no road - the longtail is the only way in.
Railay is a small peninsula walled off from the Krabi mainland by sheer limestone cliffs. There is no road and no bridge, so every visitor arrives by boat - and from Ao Nang that means a traditional wooden longtail. It is one of the cheapest and most iconic short boat rides in Thailand.
Step by step
- 1Go to the longtail pier
Walk to the south end of the Ao Nang beach strip, near the Ao Nang Long Tail Boat Service Club (by Boogie Bar / Burger King). This is the official cooperative point - do not pay touts wandering the beach.
- 2Buy a ticket at the booth
Pay 100 THB per person one-way (200 THB return) at the wooden ticket booth. Fares are fixed and posted on a board.
- 3Wait for the boat to fill
Boats leave once about 8 passengers are aboard. In busy season that is minutes; off-season you may wait or pay to charter the whole boat.
- 4Cross to Railay
The crossing to Railay West takes 10-15 minutes. Boats land on the beach, so expect to wade the last few steps - wear sandals and keep valuables dry.
Fares and hours
| One-way (shared) | 100 THB |
| Return (shared) | 200 THB |
| After 18:00 / whole-boat charter | ~600 THB |
| Operating hours | 08:00-18:00 daily (last return from Railay 18:00) |
| Crossing time | 10-15 min |
Good to know
- Wade landing: boats beach at Railay West, so you step into shin-deep water. Wear sandals.
- Low tide: departures may move to Nopparat Thara Pier - ask your hotel that morning.
- Cash only: pay at the pier booth, not to touts on the beach.
- Onward: the same boats connect Railay to Tonsai and Phra Nang beach.
Staying longer in the water? The Krabi 4-island longtail tour leaves from the same stretch of coast and passes Railay on the way to Poda and Chicken Island.
Common questions
How much is the longtail from Ao Nang to Railay?+
100 THB per person one-way, or 200 THB return. Fares are fixed by the boatmen's cooperative and posted at the pier. After 18:00 the shared service stops and you must charter privately, from about 150 THB per person or around 600 THB for the whole boat.
Where do longtails to Railay leave from in Ao Nang?+
From the south end of Ao Nang beach, at the Ao Nang Long Tail Boat Service Club cooperative point near Boogie Bar and Burger King. On a very low tide or in stormy weather departures shift to Nopparat Thara Pier, usually with a short tuk-tuk transfer.
How long is the boat from Ao Nang to Railay?+
The crossing takes 10-15 minutes to Railay West beach. Railay is a peninsula cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs, so there is no road - the longtail is the only practical way in.
What time do the longtails run?+
Roughly 08:00 to 18:00 daily. The last boat back from Railay leaves around 18:00. For a sunrise trip or a late return you need to charter privately outside these hours.
Do the boats leave on a schedule?+
No fixed timetable. Boats depart when they have about 8 passengers. In high season that is quick. If you are in a hurry or travelling off-season, you can pay for the empty seats and leave immediately, or charter the whole boat.