A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Airlie Beach for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Airlie Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a local, vibrant, and colorful town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Krabi travel costs.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a paradise, laid back, and slow-paced town. Airlie Beach is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Airlie Beach travel costs.

Krabi and Airlie Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Airlie Beach. Although Krabi and Airlie Beach are both popular with visitors, Airlie Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Airlie Beach is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Krabi is known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and small town charm. Airlie Beach is more touristy than Krabi and is popular for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. It is also home to the Airlie Beach Lagoon. Krabi is popular for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Krabi different from Airlie Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Airlie Beach and Krabi. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Krabi is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Airlie Beach is not a good town for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Krabi. In the area you'll find mountain top temples such as Wat Tham Suea and natural spots such as Khao Khanap Nam Cave. In town there's the stunning Wat Kaew Korawaram temple as well.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Airlie Beach. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Krabi or Airlie Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Krabi and Airlie Beach can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Krabi. It's not particularly known for its culinary scene, but Krabi Town does have great street food and a lively night market. For some of the best restaurants, head to Chao Fah Road.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Airlie Beach. There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Airlie Beach.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Krabi. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Airlie Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Resorts?

Airlie Beach is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its resorts.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Airlie Beach is a perfect choice. There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Krabi offers a few options. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Airlie Beach is an amazing town to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Airlie Beach is not to be missed. You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.

Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Beaches?

Airlie Beach is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beach.

With world-famous beaches, Airlie Beach is a very popular vacation destination. Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.

You can check out the beach in Krabi. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Hiking?

Airlie Beach is an amazing town to visit for its hiking trails. However, Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Airlie Beach specifically for its hiking. You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Krabi is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Krabi is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town's night market is fun to explore. There's also the popular Krabi Town Walking Street (where you'll find the night market) as well as some larger stores and small malls near town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Airlie Beach. Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach More Beautiful?

Airlie Beach is an amazing town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Airlie Beach is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Serving as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, this town is surrounded by some of the world's most idyllic landscapes.

Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Airlie Beach.

Krabi is a very family-friendly destination. The town makes a great base for island hopping and exploring the province of Krabi. Nearby you'll find Krabi Fun Park, which includes a ropes course. There are also caves nearby to explore and plenty of stunning natural beauty.

Airlie Beach is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy playing in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, visiting the markets, or hanging out at the local beaches or playgrounds. If you're hoping to swim in the ocean, be very aware of the season and the conditions.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Couples?

Airlie Beach is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Airlie Beach has plenty to offer. Couples often use this as a gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. The dining scene is good and there are countless outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. There are also many different resorts in the area.

Couples visit Krabi frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There's easy access to many beautiful areas with caves, viewpoints, and beaches. Krabi Walking Street also has great restaurants and a lively night market.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Airlie Beach is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Airlie Beach is very popular with the backpacker crowd. If you're hoping to visit the Whitsunday Islands, then is a good place to base yourself as a backpacker. It has a decent selection of hostels and there are a number of restaurants and other dining options.

It's common for backpackers to visit Krabi. The town has a more local vibe, as many backpackers head on to Ao Nang or Railay Beach. You'll find affordable accommodation here though, as well as easy access to some great excursions.

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Airlie Beach is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Airlie Beach has some public transit options. There's a public bus that runs from Proserpine to Shute Harbour. The main bus station is near the city center and the main beach.

Public transit is generally limited in Krabi. There's no real public transit so you'll need to get around by rental car, motorbike, or songthaew truck (pickup trucks with seats in back).

Is Krabi or Airlie Beach a more walkable city?

Airlie Beach is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Airlie Beach is very walkable. The town itself is walkable, but the surrounding area is hilly and requires a car.

Krabi is a somewhat walkable place. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Krabi Worth Visiting? and Is Airlie Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Airlie Beach or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Both Krabi and Airlie Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Airlie Beach than in Krabi. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 4-7 days is enough time in Airlie Beach.

Families should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Krabi. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Airlie Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Krabi. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Airlie Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Krabi if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Airlie Beach.

One day in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

In Krabi, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Airlie Beach, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this laid back destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Krabi is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Airlie Beach. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the stunning destination of Krabi. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Airlie Beach is a fun place to experience. In Airlie Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Krabi is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Airlie Beach, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this slow-paced destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Krabi is in Asia and Airlie Beach is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Krabi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Krabi or Airlie Beach?

Airlie Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Krabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Krabi or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Airlie Beach. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin January. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Krabi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Krabi or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

Both Airlie Beach and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Krabi is a little warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krabi in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.

Should I visit Krabi or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

Both Airlie Beach and Krabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.

In January, Krabi is generally much warmer than Airlie Beachin July. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Airlie Beachin July. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun.

Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Krabi is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.

Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Krabi usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Krabi