Stay Connected in Krabi
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Krabi's connectivity has improved dramatically over the past few years, with reliable 4G coverage throughout most tourist areas and increasingly available 5G in Krabi Town and popular beach zones. The three major Thai carriers - AIS, True, and dtac - all provide solid service across the province. You'll find good coverage in Ao Nang, Railay (despite the cliffs), Koh Phi Phi, and along the main coastal roads. However, coverage can be spotty in remote jungle areas and some smaller islands. WiFi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and cafes, though speeds vary significantly. For travelers who need reliable internet for work or staying in touch, having your own mobile data is essential, especially if you're island hopping or exploring beyond the main tourist strips.
Get Connected Before You Land
We recommend Airalo for peace of mind. Buy your eSIM now and activate it when you arrive—no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no connection problems. Just turn it on and you're immediately connected in Krabi.
Network Coverage & Speed
AIS generally offers the best coverage in Krabi, particularly strong in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and the airport area, with 4G speeds typically ranging from 20-50 Mbps in tourist zones. True provides competitive coverage with slightly better performance on some islands like Koh Phi Phi, while dtac offers good value but can be slower in remote areas. 5G is rolling out gradually, currently available in central Krabi Town and parts of Ao Nang, delivering speeds up to 100+ Mbps where available. Coverage drops noticeably on longtail boat trips to secluded beaches and in the interior mangrove areas. The limestone karst geography can create dead zones - Railay Beach surprisingly gets decent coverage despite being surrounded by cliffs, but some caves and hidden lagoons will leave you completely offline. During peak tourist season (November-March), networks can slow down in crowded areas like Ao Nang beachfront, but rarely become unusable.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIMs are increasingly popular in Krabi and work seamlessly with Thailand's networks. The main advantage is immediate connectivity - you land at Krabi Airport and you're online before you even collect your luggage. Providers like Airalo offer Thailand-specific plans starting around $4-8 for short stays, or regional Asia plans if you're island hopping to other countries. The convenience factor is huge: no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no worrying about losing tiny plastic cards on the beach. You also avoid the common tourist trap of overpriced airport SIM vendors. However, eSIMs typically cost 2-3x more than local SIMs for longer stays, and you can't easily top up at the countless 7-Eleven stores. Data-only plans mean you won't have a local Thai number for hotel bookings or restaurant reservations, though most places now accept WhatsApp or international numbers just fine.
Local SIM Card
Local SIM cards are widely available and dirt cheap in Krabi. Skip the airport vendors (overpriced) and head to any 7-Eleven, which are everywhere, or official carrier stores in Krabi Town and Ao Nang. You'll need your passport for registration. AIS tourist SIMs start around 200-300 baht ($6-9) for 8-15GB lasting 7-15 days, with unlimited social media on some plans. The activation process is usually handled by staff, though English levels vary. Major advantage: incredibly cheap top-ups (50-100 baht for several GB), available 24/7 at any convenience store. You'll also get a Thai phone number, useful for Grab rides, restaurant deliveries, and hotel communications. Downsides include language barriers during purchase, potential activation delays, and the risk of losing/damaging the physical SIM while beach hopping. Some travelers struggle with topping up independently due to Thai-language interfaces.
Comparison
For most Krabi visitors, eSIMs win on convenience and peace of mind, while local SIMs win on cost for longer stays. International roaming is expensive and unreliable - avoid unless you're only staying 1-2 days. Local SIMs cost about half as much as eSIMs but require time and effort to purchase and manage. eSIMs like those from Airalo work instantly and eliminate language barriers, making them worth the premium for short trips or first-time visitors. The sweet spot: eSIM for stays under 2 weeks, local SIM for longer adventures or if you're on an extremely tight budget.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with an eSIM from Airalo every time. You'll land in Krabi with immediate connectivity, avoiding airport SIM shop hassles and potential scams. The convenience of being online instantly for maps, translation apps, and ride-hailing is worth the modest extra cost. Budget travelers: If every dollar counts, local SIMs are genuinely cheaper - but factor in your time value and stress levels. An eSIM might cost $15 instead of $8, but saves you an hour of confusion at 7-Eleven. Long-term stays (1+ months): Local SIM makes financial sense here. The savings add up significantly, and you'll benefit from having a Thai number for local services, deliveries, and better Grab driver communication. Business travelers: eSIM is non-negotiable. You need connectivity the moment you land for emails, client calls, and navigation. Airalo's reliability and instant activation eliminate any connectivity gaps that could impact your work.
Our Top Pick: Airalo
For convenience, price, and safety, we recommend Airalo. Purchase your eSIM before your trip and activate it upon arrival—you'll have instant connectivity without the hassle of finding a local shop, dealing with language barriers, or risking being offline when you first arrive. It's the smart, safe choice for staying connected in Krabi.
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