Readme before you journey
This trip started with a cheap flight! With the "Book a hotel and fly for free" promotion with Airasia, I invited my usual gang of friends, but in the end, only two of us went. I booked a round-trip flight from Bangkok to Krabi a month and a half in advance through Expedia for 474.56 baht per person. I paid with my Krungthai Bank debit card. Yes, you can pay Expedia with a debit card by signing up for Verified by Visa, which allows your debit card to be used for online payments like a credit card. However, you must have money in your account. (You can search for more information on what Verified by Visa is and how to sign up.)
A Budget-Conscious Backpacker's Journey to Krabi
This passage details the travel experiences of a student backpacker who prioritizes affordable and enriching adventures. Despite lacking a steady income, the author emphasizes their self-reliance and responsible budgeting habits, evident in their previous budget-friendly backpacking trips to destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. Their latest adventure takes them to Krabi, where they aim to maximize value and minimize expenses.
For further inquiries, please visit our Facebook page: Khunjao's Backpacker
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Rough itinerary:
**August 20, 2016**
Travel from Ubon Ratchathani to Buriram (free train)
Buriram to Bangkok (Airplane)
Bangkok - Krabi (by plane)
Krabi Airport - Krabi Town (Shuttle Bus)
Located in Krabi Town
September 21, 2016
Krabi Town - Ao Nang Beach: 4 Island Tour (Book tour with the hotel)
From Ao Nang Beach to Krabi Town (Songthaew, dropped off by tour company)
Krabi Town - Ao Nang (rent a motorbike)
Stay at Ao Nang
**September 22, 2016**
Ao Nang - Tiger Cave Temple - Hot Springs Waterfall - Emerald Pool (motorbike)
Visit Krabi
Stay in Krabi Town
September 23, 2016
Krabi Town - Krabi Airport (Hire a motorbike for transportation)
Krabi Airport - Bangkok (Airplane)
Bangkok - Ubon Ratchathani (Bus)
Photo from
Canon EOS Kiss X7i
SJ CAM SJ4000 WiFi
iPhone 5
Wiko HIGHWAY SIGNS
Note: All images are live behind-the-scenes shots, except for the SJ CAM images, which have been slightly color-adjusted.
August 20, 2016
The first day of our journey began in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
At 5:30 AM, we took a taxi to catch a free train to Buriram. The taxi driver took us on a detour around the city, covering a distance of over 13 km. In reality, the distance through the city center is only about 5-6 km. With the light morning traffic, there was no reason for the detour. On our first day, we were already overcharged by the taxi driver. The fare was calculated based on the distance traveled, and we were charged 130 baht, including the taxi fare.
We then boarded the free train number 428 at 6:20 AM to travel to Buriram province to catch our flight.
The reason I had to connect in Buriram instead of flying directly from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok was because I found a cheap ticket (again). I used 500 BigPoint points and paid a fee of 99.90 baht per person. In total, my ticket from Buriram to Don Mueang cost only 100 baht per person.
Upon arriving in Buriram at approximately 10:00 AM, take a 10 baht shared taxi (songthaew) from the front of the train station to the Bus Terminal (Bor Kor Sor). From there, board a van traveling the Buriram - Satuek route and inform the driver to drop you off at Buriram Airport. The van will take you directly to the airport for a fare of 80 baht per person.
A scene of Buriram Airport.
Buriram Airport has three flights per day: two Nok Air flights and one AirAsia flight.
This airport is ours because we arrived very early. Our flight departs at 13:45, and we arrived around 11:00. The queue is very long.
While waiting, I grabbed a 50 baht iced milk tea.
Boarding time is approximately 1:30 PM.
Arrival in Bangkok at approximately 2:45 PM.
We then waited for our connecting flight to Krabi and grabbed a quick and affordable bite at the airport's 7-Eleven. Prices were comparable to those outside the airport, with only a few items being slightly more expensive.
I only have this much money. 555
Waiting to board the plane around 5:00 PM.
Heading to "Krabi"
Arrival at Krabi Airport at approximately 6:17 PM.
After arriving at the Arrivals Terminal, look for the shuttle bus sign. There will be shuttle buses and taxis available. We chose the shuttle bus to take us to Krabi Town for 90 baht per person (150 baht per person if going to Ao Nang).
The car is parked near the Krabi City Hall.
Parking spot
Coordinates: 8.058217, 98.916541
Image courtesy of Google Maps
We then walked to our accommodation, which was about 600 meters away. It was raining heavily, so we walked in the rain. We stayed at The i Talay room & souvenir Guesthouse, which we booked through Agoda for 333 baht per night. We paid with a debit card. The room had a fan and a shared bathroom. The bathroom and room were very clean. Since it was a weekday, there weren't many people around, so the room was very quiet.
Front view of the accommodation
Source: Google Maps
After checking into our accommodation, we booked a 4-island tour. The initial price was 500 baht, but we negotiated it down to 450 baht. However, booking directly through a tour company might have resulted in a lower price. We were lazy and worried that they wouldn't pick us up, so we booked through the hotel instead.
After packing, we went for a walk around Krabi town amidst the light rain.
We relaxed at the Cozy Bar, where beers cost 120 baht per bottle, which is considered a normal price for a tourist area. The bar was filled with foreigners and offered various games to play, such as the "pick-up sticks" game. Afterward, we went to bed to prepare for the next day's adventures.
September 21, 2016
Today, we booked a 4-island tour with the hotel for 450 baht. We traveled by long-tail boat with the company Andaman Krabi Travel. The car picked us up at our hotel in Krabi Town at 8:00 AM. Then we went to board the boat at Nopparat Thara Beach around 9:00 AM. During the trip, I sat inside the boat where the visibility was not very good, which made me seasick to the point of almost vomiting.
Recommended Items to Bring
- Waterproof phone case
- Waterproof bag
- Waterproof camera (optional)
- Sunscreen
The first island, Koh Tap, or Talay Waek. As soon as I arrived, I was very seasick and rushed off the boat. When I got off, the water was very deep, up to my waist. This caused the phone in my pants pocket to get completely wet. Then it automatically restarted, showing the Apple logo, and my iPhone 5 was gone... (The most painful thing is that I brought a waterproof bag but didn't put it on!!!)
The entrance fee to this island is 40 baht for Thai citizens and 400 baht for foreigners.
I asked the staff if there was a student discount and showed them my student ID. They asked where I was from, and I replied that I was from Ubon Ratchathani. They were kind enough to let us enter the island for free (but there was a slight problem, which I will tell you about later).
The next island was Koh Kai, which the boat did not take us too close to. On this island, the tour guide let us snorkel to see the coral and fish in the sea. However, I could only snorkel for less than 10 minutes, and I didn't take many pictures. I came back to the boat and threw up! I was very seasick. I don't know if I did a good deed or a bad deed by throwing up for the fish to eat. 555
After that, we continued to Koh Poda. As we got off the boat, the officer asked for our park entrance tickets. We didn't have any! Of course, we didn't pay at Talay Waek because we were students. We tried to explain to the officer that they didn't charge us at Talay Waek because we were students. The officer said that they might have made an exception. I didn't argue, but we had to pay at Koh Poda anyway, 40 baht each. Haha! (I'm not blaming anyone for this. We intended to pay from the beginning at Talay Waek, so we asked if there was a student price. The officer was kind enough to let us in for free. We asked because some parks have a 50% discount for students.)
After that, we went to eat at Koh Poda, which was prepared by the tour company. The food was a buffet with two dishes and fruit. Overall, it was okay, but I couldn't eat much or I would have thrown up.
Due to strong waves and heavy rain, the boat swayed violently like a roller coaster. We disembarked at Ao Railay East and then walked to Phra Nang Cave.
The boat then headed to Ao Nang Beach and dropped us off at our hotel in Krabi Town.
After encountering another problem, we decided to rent a motorbike and head to Ao Nang. However, heavy rain and approaching nightfall forced us to drive there instead. We rented a motorbike from a shop (name not recalled) for 250 baht per day. The owner was very friendly and helpful, and we highly recommend this shop to anyone interested in renting a motorbike. The shop is located opposite The i Talay Guesthouse and near Pak up Hostel. The phone number is 090-8629022.
Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the shop and I didn't take a picture of the storefront. Coordinates: 8.063194, 98.918088. Thank you for the picture from Google Maps, but the picture is still old and doesn't show the motorbike rental shop.
Driving through the rain on the way to Ao Nang.
While driving, I got lost as I didn't have a map. I ended up at the Shell Cemetery, which is about 5 kilometers from Ao Nang, my intended destination. However, I took the opportunity to visit the Shell Cemetery.
Translation:
Tonight, we are staying at Slumber Party Hostel, which, as the name suggests, is known for its parties. We booked through Agoda for 197.10 baht per person and paid with a debit card. The room is a dormitory with shared bathrooms, and it is mostly occupied by foreigners.
After showering and packing, I rode my motorbike around the Nang Dam area. Then I went to eat a buffet of grilled pork. Well, I came to Krabi to eat grilled pork. Haha, the taste wasn't that great.
(Another thing, my phone fell into the water and I didn't bring it with me. My friend's phone also ran out of battery, so I didn't know what time it was (I was afraid I would miss out on free vodka!). So I asked the table next to me, and it turned out we were from the same hometown in Ubon Ratchathani. Haha. They have been working in Krabi for many years.)
From 8 to 9 pm, the hostel offered free vodka, and we joined the party until late at night. The foreigners had many games to play, which we didn't know how to play, so we just joined in and pretended to understand while watching them play. Beer here costs 60 baht per can. Then at midnight, the hostel organized a trip to a pub near Ao Nang, which was full of foreigners. However, I didn't go with them because I was too tired. Haha.
August 22, 2016
After waking up and taking care of personal matters, I checked out of the hostel. The hostel provided a complimentary breakfast, which was a pleasant surprise. The cost was 197 baht, which included free vodka in the evening and breakfast.
and drive to enjoy the view of Ao Nang
We then drove to Nong Talay to see the large freshwater lake. However, we didn't know the way and the locals we asked didn't understand us. We'll have to come back another time.
We then drove to Krabi town and checked into our accommodation. We stayed at the Pack Up Hostel, a mixed dorm with shared bathrooms, mainly occupied by Westerners. The price was 211.32 baht per person, booked through the Traveloka app with a 20% discount code.
Translation:
Today's plan is Tiger Cave Temple, Hot Waterfall, and Emerald Pool.
The first destination is Wat Tham Sua, approximately 8 kilometers from Pak-Up Hostel.
Translation:
Tiger Cave Temple is distinguished by its 1,237 steps leading to a scenic mountaintop viewpoint.
Translation:
After climbing 300 steps of the 1,237-step staircase leading to the mountaintop viewpoint, I felt incredibly exhausted. I told my friend that we should turn back, as I was tempted to give up. However, we persevered and continued our ascent, reaching the top after approximately one hour. I would advise anyone who is not physically fit to avoid visiting Tiger Cave Temple, as the climb is extremely strenuous.
The view from the top is breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of Krabi town, the airport, Ao Nang Bay, and the surrounding islands. However, the climb is strenuous and not recommended for those who are not physically fit. The majority of visitors are foreigners who come to test their physical limits.
After a leisurely 20-minute walk downhill, we arrived at our destination. We encountered a Thai-foreign couple who had also visited the four islands the previous day, and we took a photo together.
(During my trip from Buriram to Bangkok, I met a foreigner on the same flight who was sitting next to me. Coincidentally, we were on the same flight again on the way to Krabi, but the foreigner was sitting in the row behind me. Then, on the 4 Islands tour, I met the same foreigner again at Ao Nang Beach. Incredibly, we ran into each other again near Ao Nang, but the foreigner didn't see us. It was truly a series of remarkable coincidences.)
After descending the hill, I found a refreshing drink to quench my thirst.
Then drive to the hot waterfall.
I saw a durian vendor on the way and decided to try it. It was a local durian, priced at 50 baht per kilogram. The taste was not particularly impressive, but it was acceptable.
While driving, I encountered a police officer who requested my driver's license and vehicle registration. I informed the officer that the vehicle was a rental, but fortunately, the registration was valid and the rental was legal. The officer inquired about my destination and origin. I responded that I was traveling from Ubon Ratchathani to visit the Hot Waterfall and Emerald Pool. The officer then asked to take a picture of me to post on Facebook, stating that he had encountered a friendly police officer in Krabi. (I have posted it on Readme instead, Officer. 555)
The Hot Spring Waterfall is located approximately 60-70 kilometers from Krabi. Admission fees are 20 baht for Thai citizens and 200 baht for foreigners. The hot spring water is very comfortable to soak in, with a perfect temperature. You don't have to travel all the way to Japan for an onsen experience; Krabi has it too! However, it's a pity that the water is a bit cloudy.
We then rushed to Emerald Pool, fearing it would close before we arrived. It was raining and getting close to dusk.
The entrance fee for Thai people is 20 baht per person. Then, walk, walk, walk into the deep forest for about 1.5 kilometers to reach the Emerald Pool.
On the way, we passed Sa Kaeo. Huh! How did we end up in Sa Kaeo when we were going to Krabi? (Is this a joke?)
Translation:
We have arrived at Emerald Pool! It truly lives up to its name, it's incredibly beautiful. Emerald Pool is a must-see when visiting Krabi. (I didn't take many photos with my big camera because it was raining.)
We then played in the water for about 2 hours, having fun like we've never played in water before. The water was crystal clear and incredibly beautiful.
The plan was to visit the natural spring pool, but it was closed to the public on the day of my visit. It seems to be closed from May to October to allow birds to nest or for some other reason, if I remember correctly.
And rode a motorbike back to Krabi. On the way, it rained very heavily.
We rented a motorbike for more than 24 hours, so we called the rental shop to ask how much extra it would cost per hour. However, the owner was very kind and didn't charge us extra. I highly recommend this shop, which is located opposite The i Talay Guesthouse. We arrived in Krabi town at around 6:00 PM. For dinner, we had some food from a street vendor. Then, we checked into our accommodation.
Image of Pak-Up Hostel room
We stopped by Playground Bar, which was next to our accommodation, but the atmosphere was very quiet and uninviting (perhaps due to the rain). So we decided to take a walk and enjoy the view of Krabi town at night. We had papaya salad at 11 pm and sipped on some light beer. Feeling tipsy, we walked from our accommodation to the walking street twice. Thinking back, it was quite funny.
Walk to the Black Crab Square and Kilometer 0, then return to sleep and prepare to return home the next day.
September 23, 2016
After checking out from our accommodation, we asked the staff at the motorbike rental shop to drive us to the airport. The cost was 150 baht per person, compared to 400-500 baht for a taxi. We arrived at the airport around 7:00 am and boarded our flight. We arrived in Bangkok around 9:00 am.
(However, if you want to save more money, you can try to bargain further. We made a mistake by not bargaining, but it's okay, we let it go because the seller was very kind.)
The original plan was to take the free train back, but I couldn't wait any longer. I was eager to get home, so I took a bus to the Mo Chit 2 bus terminal. The bus fare was more expensive than the plane ticket. I should have booked a promotion ticket that day. The bus ride took about 12 and a half hours, longer than the free train. The bus took a detour through Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Roi Et, and Yasothon before arriving in Ubon Ratchathani at 11:30 p.m.
Trip completed!!! See you next trip, lol.
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Expenses
Average price per person
**August 20, 2016**
Taxi from dormitory to Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station - 65 baht
Bus from Buriram Railway Station to Buriram Bus Terminal 10 baht
80 Baht for a van from Buriram Bus Terminal to Buriram Airport.
Flight from Buriram to Bangkok 99.90 Baht.
Flight from Bangkok to Krabi for 237.27 baht
Shuttle Bus Krabi Airport - Krabi Town 90 Baht
Food and beverages 297.50 baht
Accommodation: The i Talay Guesthouse 166.50 Baht
September 21, 2016
The tour price for 4 islands is 450 baht.
Entrance fee: 40 baht
Rent a motorcycle for 125 baht.
Food and drinks 394 baht
Accommodation Slumber Party Hostel 197.10 Baht
September 22, 2016
Filled with 30 baht of fuel.
Entrance fee to the hot waterfall is 20 baht.
Parking fee 2.50 baht
The entrance fee to Emerald Pool is 20 baht.
Parking fee 5 baht
Food and drinks 334 baht
Accommodation at Pak-Up Hostel costs 211.32 baht.
September 23, 2016
Hire a motorbike from Krabi Town to Krabi Airport for 150 baht.
Flight from Krabi to Bangkok: 237.27 THB
30 baht bus
Bus from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani: 464 Baht
Taxi from Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal to Dormitory - 30 Baht
Food and drinks 70 baht.
Total: 3,856.36 Baht
For those who do not drink, you can save an additional 440 baht.
3,856.36 - 440 = 3,416.36 Baht!
Translation:
For further inquiries, please visit our Facebook page: Khunjao's Backpacker. Thank you.
Khunjao Backpacker
Friday, September 27, 2024 10:40 AM
