Krabi Piers Compared: Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao, or Railay - Which Should You Pick?
railay teamKrabi has 3 main piers: Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao, and Railay East. Each one goes to different islands, charges different boat prices, and suits a different kind of traveler. Ao Nang Pier is closest to Ao Nang hotels. Ao Nam Mao has scheduled shuttle boats and connects to islands near Krabi. Railay East is for travelers already staying in Railay. This guide compares all 3 on location, boat prices, schedules, where they go, and how to pick the right one for your destination.
How Many Piers Does Krabi Have and What Are They For?
Krabi Province has more than 20 piers in total, but only a few matter for tourists. The biggest one for long ferry routes is Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi town, which serves Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Yao Yai. For nearby islands and Railay, there are 3 main piers: Ao Nang Pier, Ao Nam Mao Pier, and Railay East Pier. Tha Len Pier is used for kayaking through the mangroves.
Each pier has its own strength. Ao Nang is best for visitors staying in Ao Nang hotels. Ao Nam Mao is best for travelers coming straight from the airport and visiting nearby islands. Railay East is best for travelers already in Railay who want to head back to Krabi town.
Before picking a pier, check your destination and where your hotel is. This saves time and the cost of a taxi between your hotel and the pier.
Ao Nang Pier: Closest to Hotels in Ao Nang
Ao Nang Pier sits at the south end of Ao Nang Beach. It's 500 meters from the center of Ao Nang. You can walk from your hotel in 5 to 10 minutes. It's 25 kilometers from Krabi Airport, about 40 to 50 minutes by taxi. Boats depart from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.
The main feature is the number of longtail boats. There are 80 to 100 boats parked at the pier. Boats leave every 15 to 20 minutes after waiting for 8 to 10 passengers. Boat fares are 100 baht to Railay West, 100 to 150 baht to Railay East, and 250 to 350 baht to Poda Island.
Destinations from Ao Nang include all Railay beaches, Poda Island, Chicken Island, Tup Island, Mor Island, and other nearby islands within 30 kilometers. Boat rides take no more than 45 minutes.
The downside is there are no scheduled shuttle boats. You have to wait until the boat fills up. On slow days, that means 30 to 45 minutes of waiting. Also, no direct boats to Phi Phi. You have to transfer at Ao Nam Mao. Check schedules and book passenger boats from Ao Nang to Railay and Phi Phi on the passenger boat page.
Ao Nam Mao Pier: New, Big, and Has Scheduled Shuttle Boats
Ao Nam Mao Pier is in Sai Thai sub-district. It's 12 kilometers from Krabi town and 18 kilometers from the airport. Taxi takes 30 to 40 minutes from the airport at 350 to 450 baht. It opens every day from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. It has a big parking lot, clean toilets, and 3 to 5 food shops.
The main feature is scheduled shuttle boats that run every 30 minutes. No waiting to fill up. Fixed prices. Shuttle to Railay costs 150 baht per person. Boats to Phi Phi cost 350 to 450 baht per person. Boats to Koh Lanta cost 500 to 650 baht per person.
Destinations from Ao Nam Mao include Railay East, Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Maya Bay, Koh Lanta, Hong Island, and every nearby island. There are also private charter boats for family tours and 4-island tours.
Read our Ao Nam Mao Pier boat schedule for every boat trip and destination from this pier. This pier suits travelers coming straight from the airport who don't want to wait for boats.
Railay East Pier: For Going Back and Short Trips
Railay East Pier sits at Railay East Beach. It's for travelers already staying in Railay who want to head back to Krabi town or connect to another island.
Return boat to Ao Nang costs 100 to 150 baht per person. Return boat to Ao Nam Mao costs 150 baht per person. Private charter boats from Railay East cost 1,500 to 2,500 baht per boat for short routes.
Boats leave every 15 to 20 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The last boat of the day is 6:30 p.m. You must catch it before night, or stay overnight in Railay.
This pier is not a starting point for visitors coming from outside Railay. It's only a connecting pier for people already in Railay. Read our Railay shuttle boat guide for the full going-and-coming schedule.
Comparing the 3 Main Krabi Piers
| Pier | Distance from Airport | Shuttle Boats | Railay Price | Phi Phi Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang | 25 km | No | 100-150 baht | None direct | Ao Nang hotel guests |
| Ao Nam Mao | 18 km | Yes | 150 baht | 350-450 baht | Airport arrivals |
| Railay East | 30 km (with boat) | No | — | None | Railay hotel guests |
Which Pier for Which Island?
Going to Railay
Both piers work. Ao Nang for 100 to 150 baht with a longtail boat (15 to 20 minutes). Or Ao Nam Mao for 150 baht with a shuttle (10 to 15 minutes). Pick based on your hotel.
Going to Phi Phi
Ao Nam Mao is the main pier. Shuttle boats cost 350 to 450 baht per person each way. The ride takes 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. There are 4 to 6 boats per day. Full-day Phi Phi tours cost 1,500 to 2,500 baht per person including food and a guide.
Going to Koh Lanta
Ao Nam Mao. Shuttle costs 500 to 650 baht per person. The ride takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. There are 2 to 3 boats per day. During rainy season, this drops to 1 boat per day.
Going to the 4 Islands (Poda, Chicken, Tup, Mor)
Both piers work. Full-day tours cost 1,200 to 1,800 baht per person including food and snorkel gear. Ao Nang has 5 to 7 departures per day. Ao Nam Mao has 3 to 4.
Going to Hong Island
Both piers work. Half-day or full-day tours cost 800 to 1,500 baht per person. Ao Nam Mao has more departures because it's closer to Hong.
How to Pick the Right Pier for Your Trip
If you're staying in Krabi town or arriving from the airport, use Ao Nam Mao. It's closer, has shuttle boats on schedule, and covers many destinations.
If you're staying in Ao Nang, use Ao Nang Pier. You can walk from your hotel. Boat fares are cheaper. If you need to go to Phi Phi or Lanta, then travel to Ao Nam Mao.
If you're already in Railay, use Railay East Pier when leaving. You don't have to travel out of Railay to board.
If it's your first time in Krabi and you're not sure, use Ao Nam Mao. It's the safest starting point with scheduled shuttle boats. No worry about whether a boat will show up.
Railay Eco Tour: Pick the Pier Closest to Your Hotel
Our sea tours at Railay Eco Tour let you pick the starting pier nearest your hotel. No long travel. We offer free pickup from Ao Nang, Krabi town, and Railay hotels if you book a full-day tour.
Our guides know which pier opens early on which day. Which one has the smallest waves in rainy season. And which one suits boarding with small kids or older travelers who need comfortable seats.
Our premium Speedboats depart mainly from Ao Nam Mao Pier. It's the biggest and most modern pier. Best for big boats holding 15 to 25 people.
For first-time Krabi visitors, contact our team for advice on the right pier and boat for your group size, the number of islands you want to visit, and the season you're coming.
Krabi Piers: Don't Miss This Before Planning Island Trips
Ao Nam Mao Pier is the safest, easiest starting point for first-time visitors. It has scheduled shuttle boats, fixed prices, and access to many islands including Phi Phi and Lanta.
Ao Nang Pier is best for people staying in Ao Nang who want to visit Railay or nearby islands. Cheaper fares and walkable from hotels.
Railay East Pier is mainly for the return trip. Not a starting point for visitors coming from outside Railay.
Plan ahead by checking your hotel location, your destination, and when you want to board. This saves both time and taxi costs. For trip plans that include sea routes, read our complete Krabi travel guide to see full itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Krabi pier is closest to the airport?
Ao Nam Mao Pier. 18 kilometers from Krabi Airport, 30 to 40 minutes by taxi for 350 to 450 baht. Closer than Ao Nang Pier at 25 kilometers (40 to 50 minutes).
Which Krabi pier goes to Phi Phi?
Ao Nam Mao is the main pier to Phi Phi. There are no direct boats from Ao Nang to Phi Phi. Shuttle boat costs 350 to 450 baht per person. The ride takes 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. There are 4 to 6 boats per day.
What time do Krabi piers open?
Ao Nam Mao opens 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Ao Nang opens 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. Railay East opens 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day. Rainy season has the same hours, except on days with waves over 2 meters.
Can I park at Krabi piers?
Ao Nam Mao has a big parking lot for 200 to 300 cars. Parking fee is 30 to 50 baht per day. Ao Nang has 80 to 120 spots for 50 to 80 baht per day. Railay East has no parking lot because Railay can only be reached by boat.
Do Krabi piers have ATMs?
Ao Nam Mao has 1 ATM with 50 to 100 baht fees per transaction. Ao Nang has 2 to 3 ATMs near the pier. Railay East has no ATM at the pier directly. There are ATMs in the Railay East area, 200 meters from the pier.
References
Krabi walking street runs in the old-town quarter of Krabi town, on weekend evenings only — not every night. Visitors staying in Ao Nang who drive in without checking the day regularly find an empty street. The draw is freshly cooked food at local prices that Krabi people actually eat: grilled seafood, regional sweets, fresh-pressed juices, plus handicraft stalls from people in the area.
Railay EcoPoda Island is a small island in Krabi province, south of Ao Nang — roughly 20 to 30 minutes by longtail boat or about 15 minutes by speedboat. What stands out is the fine white sand and the water, which stays shallow on a long gentle slope.
Railay EcoPileh Lagoon sits on Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province — a bay almost completely ringed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow gap for boats to pass through. No swell reaches inside, so the water sits still, and the white sand floor below reflects the light back as emerald. Every trip to Phi Phi Leh stops here, because it is only minutes from Maya Bay.
Railay EcoKrabi Airport sits roughly 15 kilometres from Krabi town and 30 to 40 minutes by road from Ao Nang. To reach Ao Nang you can take the airport bus, a shared minivan, a taxi, or a private transfer booked in advance. Railay is a different matter: it is a peninsula no road reaches, so you take a vehicle to a pier and then a boat. The mistake people make most often is landing late and finding the last boats into Railay already finished for the day. This guide covers each transport option, journey times, rough costs, and how to handle a late arrival.
Railay EcoNopparat Thara Beach is in Krabi town district, immediately west of Ao Nang — five to ten minutes away on foot or by car. It runs for several kilometres, holds far fewer people than Ao Nang, and has the national park headquarters sitting right on the sand. The detail most visitors miss: at the lowest tides a sandbar emerges and you can walk out to the small island offshore without a boat. It also serves as a departure point for some island routes, so it works both as a place to rest and as a way out to sea. This guide covers how it differs from Ao Nang, how to get there, and when to go.
Railay EcoHong Island belongs to Krabi province and sits inside Than Bok Khorani National Park, north of Ao Nang — roughly 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat, or about an hour by longtail. What makes it different from the other Krabi islands is the lagoon in its middle: a pool of water almost entirely enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow opening that small boats can slip through when the tide is high enough.
Railay Eco