Thailand forum

Google Andaman Island Hopping for ferry times Ao Nang /Railay to Lanta.

If you are staying at Railay or adjacent Ton Sai, the ferry pulls into the bay off Railay and passengers are shuttled out on longtails. It's a much nicer trip than from Krabi town because the first part goes thru those near-Railay offshore karst islands which are pretty spectacular. Don't get such a hot view if you sit inside, alought EVERYONE wants to sit on top, making it pretty crowded.
The little travel agents and most bungalow places around Railay, Ton Sai and Ao Nang sell tickets. Prices vary a bit.

I reckon Railay is definitely worth visiting for a look, although with a mid afternoon arrival on the 22nd and an early departure next day, you won't have a lot of time there. No matter, Railay/Phranang/Ton Sai is a pretty compact area - and is actually nicest late afternoon when the daytrippers from Ao Nang and Krabi town go home.

Note most Railay accommodation for the 22nd is probably already gone - you have most chance booking somewhere on Ton Sai, the climbers' beach - or if you want one of those cheapies you can't book, finding a walk-in vacancy high on the right track branching off the Ton Sai loop track going up from beach-central.

If you decide this is too much hassle, Krabi town IS a nice place to spend an afternoon and night. Try Chanchalay Guesthouse for a good cheapie, River Hotel for a bit more upmarket.

Another possibility is staying at Ao Nang for the night - getting a longtail over to Railay late afternoon, wandering around for a few hours checking the landscape/seascape, having a swim etc. Longtails go back to Ao Nang until quite late - although you may have to wait longer for a full boat and/or pay more once it gets dark.

Yep - pretty compact.
You can clamber over the headland between West Railay and Ton Sai in about 5 minutes. Look for other travellers to show the route. A lot of people wade around at lower tides but it is a bit rocky underfoot.

You can also walk over the high saddle between Ton Sai and East Railay in maybe 30 minutes by taking the loop track up from beach-central and branching right on the first track about 5 minutes up. This comes down past the Diamond Cave above East Railay beach.

East Railay to West Railay is 5 minutes max on a flat path thru the resorts.

East Railay to Phra Nang is similar on a flat track between the northern headland and plush Rayvadee resort.