Planning Guides

Shuttle Boat Ao Nam Mao to Railay — Schedule and Prices

Use the fixed Ao Nam Mao timetable to plan a Railay arrival or day trip without missing the final return from Railay East.

Shuttle Boat Ao Nam Mao to Railay — Schedule and Prices

Shuttle Boat Ao Nam Mao to Railay — Schedule and Prices

Key Takeaways
Ao Nam Mao departures are listed every 30 minutes from 8:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. ; Railay East returns run from 8:30 a. m. to 6:30 p. m.
The published adult fare is 150 baht one way or 250 baht return, and the source advises buying with cash at the counter before departure.
Ao Nam Mao is reached by road before the short speedboat crossing, so airport, Krabi Town, and Ao Nang transfer time must be added to the boat timetable.
Severe weather can suspend the route despite its sheltered position; confirm conditions before leaving for the pier, especially during stormy periods.

m. and 6:00 p. m.

m. and ends at 6:30 p. m.

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Reaching Ao Nam Mao Pier from Krabi and Ao Nang

Ao Nam Mao Pier sits in Sai Thai, south of Krabi Town. The source places it about 12 kilometers from town and 18 kilometers from Krabi Airport. Travelers arriving by air should budget for the road leg before thinking about the boat itself; the published taxi estimate is 30 to 40 minutes from the airport.

From Ao Nang, the road transfer is shorter. The source estimates 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, which makes Ao Nam Mao practical when a fixed departure matters more than boarding directly from Ao Nang Beach. Travelers coming from Krabi Town can also investigate the blue shared songthaew, but its operating times and frequency should be confirmed on the day.

The pier is described as having parking, toilets, and nearby food shops. Scooter users should allow time to park and secure luggage, while passengers with an airport transfer should leave a buffer for traffic and ticket purchase rather than aiming for the exact departure minute.

  • Add the road transfer to the boat time when comparing routes.
  • Arrive early enough to buy a ticket and organize luggage.
  • Confirm shared-transport times locally if relying on a songthaew.
  • Keep cash accessible before reaching the ticket counter.

Outbound boats from Ao Nam Mao to Railay East

The published outbound window is 8:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. , with a boat scheduled every 30 minutes. The service uses a roofed speedboat carrying several dozen passengers rather than a private charter. Advance rental of the whole boat is not part of this route.

The crossing ends at Railay East and normally takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Railay has no road connection, so this short sea leg replaces the final taxi or minivan segment that would exist at a mainland resort. Guests with hotel check-in times should tell the property which side of Railay they will arrive on.

A fixed timetable is useful for families, travelers with luggage, and anyone linking the boat to an airport or town transfer. It also means passengers should not assume a late boat will wait for them. Build in enough margin to reach Ao Nam Mao, buy the ticket, and board without rushing.

  • First listed departure from Ao Nam Mao: 8:00 a. m.
  • Last listed departure from Ao Nam Mao: 6:00 p. m.
  • Listed frequency: every 30 minutes.
  • Typical crossing time: 10 to 15 minutes.

Return timetable from Railay East

Return boats are listed from Railay East every 30 minutes between 8:30 a. m. and 6:30 p. m. Railay East is the boarding point for this service, so a traveler spending the afternoon on Railay West or Phra Nang Beach must include the walk across the peninsula.

For a day trip, 6:30 p. m. is the important cutoff. A sunset plan on the west side can conflict with the final scheduled return, particularly when walking time or a meal is added. Leave the beach early enough to find the pier, confirm the correct boat, and board before the last departure.

Travelers staying in Railay do not need to compress the visit around the return boat, but they still need to coordinate luggage and hotel access from Railay East. Anyone continuing to the airport or another mainland transfer should add road time after arriving back at Ao Nam Mao.

  • First listed return from Railay East: 8:30 a. m.
  • Last listed return from Railay East: 6:30 p. m.
  • Walk back from Railay West or Phra Nang with time to spare.
  • Do not plan a mainland connection against the final boat without a buffer.

Fares, cash payment, and family tickets

While children under three are listed as free when traveling with an adult.

Tickets are sold at the counter, and the source advises cash payment at least 15 minutes before departure. Smaller notes are more convenient than a 1,000-baht bill when the counter is busy. Keep the ticket after boarding, especially when using a return fare.

A family should calculate the boat total separately from taxis, songthaews, scooter hire, parking, meals, and luggage handling. The quoted ticket price covers the scheduled crossing, not a guided island tour or a private boat for the group.

  • Adult one way: 150 baht.
  • Adult return: 250 baht.
  • Child under 12 one way: 75 baht.
  • Child under 12 return: 125 baht; under three listed free.

Weather checks and possible suspensions

The Ao Nam Mao route sits in a relatively sheltered bay, and the published timetable says the shuttle normally continues through the May-to-October rainy season. A rainy-season schedule is not a guarantee that every departure will run in severe conditions.

Very rough seas, including waves above two meters during major storms, can stop boats for one to three days. Treat that as a warning to verify the route rather than as a forecast. The pier phone number listed by the source is 075-661-152 and its Line contact is @aonammaopier, but contact details and operating decisions may change.

If a storm is forecast, check before paying for a taxi to the pier and ask the hotel about current local conditions. Keep accommodation and onward transport flexible until the crossing is confirmed. Never pressure a boat operator to depart when service has been suspended for safety.

  • Rain alone does not necessarily cancel the scheduled service.
  • High waves or a major storm may suspend departures.
  • Confirm the latest status before starting the road transfer.
  • Allow flexibility for accommodation and onward connections.

Choosing between the shuttle and an Ao Nang longtail

The Ao Nam Mao shuttle suits travelers who value a published half-hourly timetable, a roofed speedboat, and a direct arrival at Railay East. Its main tradeoff is the road trip to Ao Nam Mao and the need to follow fixed first and last departures.

Longtail boats from Ao Nang offer a different experience. The source lists a typical 15-to-20-minute crossing and a fare range of 100 to 150 baht per person, but boats commonly leave after enough passengers have gathered rather than at a fixed minute. Waiting can therefore vary with demand and weather.

Choose by looking at the complete journey. Ao Nang may be simpler for someone already staying beside the beach and carrying little luggage. Ao Nam Mao may be easier for a traveler coming from Krabi Town or the airport who wants a scheduled connection. For either route, confirm current fares, the last boat, the arrival beach, and sea conditions before committing.

  • Use Ao Nam Mao for a fixed timetable to Railay East.
  • Consider Ao Nang when already based near its beach departure point.
  • Compare total road, waiting, and boat time rather than fare alone.
  • Confirm the current last boat for the route you choose.