Where to Stay in Railay Beach, Thailand

Where to stay in Railay Beach comes down to a few deciding factors. Railay Beach is a secluded peninsula, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs that make it only accessible by boat. Each morning, longtails pull into Railay Beach, packed with bleary eyed day trippers from Krabi or Phuket. Railay is a must-stop on every island hopping trip around Krabi, but for those looking for a private slice of paradise should plan to stay in Railay Beach overnight.

Is it Worth it To Stay in Railay Beach?

The short answer is yes. Many first time travelers planning a beach trip in Thailand gravitate to Phuket or Krabi. Both offer easy access via local airports and a plethora of activities, including day trips to Railay Beach; but don’t be mistaken. Staying in Railay Beach and visiting during a day tour are two very different experiences. For those looking for unspoiled beauty and quiet evenings, then it is absolutely worth it to stay in Railay Beach.

To me, it was better to stay in Railay Beach than just stop for the day to be able to experience the legendary beauty of Phra Nang and Railay Beach, crowd-free in the early mornings. While hundreds of tourists flock to the beaches and nearby caves each day, we had it all entirely to ourselves every morning. From mid-morning through late afternoon, the beaches become overly touristy, but those quiet moments at dawn and dusk make it well worth the stay in Railay.

Potential Cons to Staying in Railay Beach

Staying in Railay Beach isn’t for everyone! To start, Railay doesn’t have much of a nightlife scene. Laid-back bars play Bob Marley in lieu of the full moon parties that take place on Phuket or Krabi’s beaches. If you’re a party-goer, you may get bored after dark.

It’s worth restating: the only way in or out of the peninsula is by boat. Although there are nearby islands to day trip to, you are very isolated. The one walking street and its food options may feel repetitive after a few days.

How to Get to Railay Beach

The most direct way to get to Railay Beach requires three modes of transportation. First, fly into Krabi. Then, take a shuttle to a pier, followed by a boat to Railay.

There are many direct flights to Krabi from other cities in Thailand, as well as a few destinations abroad. If traveling from abroad, break up the trip with a 24-48 hour layover in Bangkok before continuing on to Krabi.

If you are staying in Railay Beach, most luxury resorts provide round trip shuttle services from the airport to Railay. We spent four nights of our two week Thailand honeymoon at Rayavadee. Upon arrival in Krabi, we were greeted by a Rayavadee concierge, who led us to our air conditioned van.

The entire trip took a little under an hour between the van to the resort’s private dock, and the scenic boat transfer. Alternatively, pick up is available from Phuket airport, but travel time is around two and a half hours to Rayavadee.

As the boat pulled in through the limestone cliffs of Railay, the hotel staff descended onto the beach to meet our arrival. We were greeted with a cold towel and jasmine florals before being ushered to check-in. With a signature drink in hand, we were shown the way to our private villa.

Where to Stay in Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a haven for hippies and honeymooners, and the hotel options reflect just that. Accommodations range from budget-friendly to ultra luxury. If you fall into the honeymooners camp, there is absolutely nowhere better to stay in Railay Beach than Rayavadee. Rayavadee stands far above the rest in every category – location, dining, accommodations, and amenities.

The Resort with the Best Location

While most of the hotel options line either the white sands of Railay West or mangroves of Railay East, Rayavadee is uniquely situated at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, bordering three iconic beaches. On one side is Railay West, often renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. To the east, is Railay East, a floating pier where most overnight travelers will arrive. But the most serene of all is Phra Nang, a boat free oasis that offers an idyllic swimming spot.

The beaches border 26 acres of flora and fauna. Spectacled leaf monkeys leap from tree to tree along the jungle canopy and brick paths weave between the 94 private two-story villas. There are many incredible resorts along Thailand’s coast; But when it comes to uniqueness and location, Rayavadee is the best place to stay in Railay Beach.

Honeymoon Stay at Rayavadee

Rayavadee is the obvious choice for those looking for quintessential Thai hospitality, lux accommodations, and unique dining experiences. The property is dotted with private two-story pavilions; the basic accommodation for each guest, which is anything but. Elements of the local landscape are woven through the interior, creating a transitional space that organically blends into the jungle surroundings.

Seven larger villas are tucked throughout the resort for those wanting a private pool, or more space when traveling as a family.

Booking directly through Rayavadee will offer the best value. The resort typically runs a 4-night special that includes:

Four nights in a Deluxe Pavilion
Daily breakfast
Three dinners
One 75 minute massage at The Rayavadee Spa
Half-Day Poda & Chicken Island snorkeling boat tour
Round trip van and boat transfers to and from Krabi International Airport

This ideal mix of nearly all-inclusive is the perfect middle-ground that still allows for lunch-time exploration of the Railay Walking Street restaurants.

What to do When Staying in Railay Beach

The best time of day in Railay Beach is the early morning before long tails come in and dock for the day. My favorite way to spend a morning at Rayavadee is to take kayaks out on Phranang Beach. Enjoy a peaceful piece of paradise before day tourists fill the narrow sands of Phranang. Kayak along the caves, and pop out of the water to check out the – er, phallic offerings of fertility. After the beach starts filling with tourists, retreat to your lounger in the secluded Rayavadee coconut grove.

The Best Day Trip from Railay Beach

While staying on Railay Beach, a full day boat trip around Phi Phi is a must-do. Most boat tours will take you to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and a few beaches and snorkel stops along the way. Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon are the cannot miss stops. Monkey Beach is sadly ridden with trash, and should be a brief stop if you stop at all.

Excursions can be booked directly with Rayavadee for ease, but expect to pay a premium. Instead, take a walk down the main walking street of Railay and stop by the many tour vendors selling boat trips. The standard option is a join-in on a group tour, but tour operators will also accommodate private tours. If your budget allows, the premium you will pay for the private options is absolutely worth it.

One piece of advice for a day trip from Railay Beach to Phi Phi, is to take a private tour that leaves early. This will allow you to make your own schedule. That way, you can stay as long or as little as you’d like at each destination along the way. You can also leave earlier than the group tours to beat the rush to Maya Bay. Most group tours leave around 9 AM, so plan to meet your private charter around 7:30 AM to get a head start on the day.