Just booking up to stay at Tonsai/Railay over New Year. The place I've got in mind is in Railay East but I'm wondering how easy it is to walk from there to Railay West and Tonsai - during the day and at night?

Thanks

Just booking up to stay at Tonsai/Railay over New Year. The place I've got in mind is in Railay East but I'm wondering how easy it is to walk from there to Railay West and Tonsai - during the day and at night?

Thanks

Unless things have changed dramatically since I was last there, it is very easy to walk from East to West Railay Beaches. A 3-10 minute walk depending on where you stay on East Railay.

From West Railay you can walk to Tonsai along the shoreline when the tide is low. Otherwise, at high tide you can negotiate a hike over a vegetated "ridge". At night this hike would have to be carefully done with a headlamp. The other option to get back to Railay from Tonsai late at night is to hire a long-tail boat. The price is more expensive at night. During the New Years holidays this boat should be available every night, but it also depends on the presence of large waves which could stop boat traffic.

Keep in mind I have not been there for a while.

After thinking a bit more I realized I had forgotten something.

When I was last there, there was a very rough trail directly from East Railay to the Tonsai area. This goes behind the large dolomite obstruction which separates Tonsai from West Railay. This route circumvents the need to walk to West Railay from East Railay in order to reach Tonsai.

It is quite likely that the operators there have improved this trail to facilitate visitors to both areas.

Up to date information can be had your first day at the area by consulting one of the resident gurus.

Depending on what you want there are far far better value rooms on Tonsai but you have to book. The atmosphere is great here at Christmas and New Year with loads of parties but just not enough rooms. The path between Railay and Tonsai was renovated last year with gravel but the new route makes it a tad longer and most people still take the old steeper route straight up the hill from Railay.