Why some travellers prefer it
Krabi Town is where locals actually live and eat, which shows in the food — the night market here is bigger, cheaper and less tourist-priced than Ao Nang's. Guesthouse and hotel rates run noticeably lower than Ao Nang or Railay for comparable quality, and it's the transport hub for the whole province, with the bus station, the main pier, and Krabi Airport all within easy reach.
The trade-off
There's no real beach in Krabi Town itself — you're 20–30 minutes by boat or road from Ao Nang or Railay for actual beach time. It suits travellers happy to day-trip out rather than wake up beachfront.
Who it suits
Budget travellers, backpackers, and anyone spending more than a few days in the region who wants a lower-cost base for day trips to the temples, hot springs, and islands without paying Ao Nang or Railay accommodation prices every night.
Getting around
Krabi Airport is roughly 15–20 minutes away — closer than from Ao Nang. Boats to Railay and the islands leave from the town pier near the night market, and songthaews (shared pickup taxis) run to Ao Nang throughout the day for a fraction of a private taxi fare.