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The small fishing town of
KRABI
is a major transport hub for the islands of Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta. During high season, heaps of travellers stop off here and wait for the next boat, but it's a nice spot for a couple of nights too. Although Krabi has no beaches of its own, it's only a 45-minute boat ride to the stunning bays of Laem Phra Nang and about the same time in a songthaew to Ao Nang. Every Krabi travel agent sells day-trips to Ao Phang Nga
and snorkelling trips to four or five nearby islands, and many agents also offer interesting tours of Krabi's mangrove swamps.
Overnight air-con
buses
to Krabi leave from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal; you'll need to book ahead.
Only a few buses drop their passengers in central Krabi: most pull in at the bus terminal 5km north of town in the village of Talat Kao, from where there's a frequent songthaew service to Krabi's Thanon Maharat. Ferries from Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta dock at Chao Fa pier, but the longtails from Laem Phra Nang often pull in at the pier 300m further north. Most Krabi tour agents can arrange domestic air tickets and bus tickets direct to Malaysia and Singapore. For
accommodation
, hard-core budget travellers tend to head for
Cha Guesthouse
(under $10), opposite the post office on Thanon Utrakit, offering huts set in a garden compound, as well as motorbike rental (B150);
KL Guesthouse
on Maharat Soi 2 (tel 075/612511; under $5) is a similar no-frills place.
Grand Tower Hotel,
at the corner of Utrakit and Chao Fa roads (tel 075/611741; $5-15) is a popular, medium-sized travellers' place with simple but spruce rooms, and
KR Mansion,
a ten-minute walk west along Thanon Chao Fa from the pier (tel 075/612761; $5-15) is fairly similar. All the above listed accommodation provides
Internet access
.
Thammachat Restaurant
on Thanon Kong Ka boasts the most adventurous Thai menu in town;
Muslim Restaurant
on Thanon Pruksa Uthit does cheap and filling rotis (flat fried breads) with curry sauces, and the night market sets up around the pier head.
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