A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Christchurch for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Krabi or Christchurch?

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 Christchurch can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a colorful, stunning, and local town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Krabi travel costs.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Christchurch travel costs.

Krabi and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Christchurch?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Christchurch. Although Krabi and Christchurch are popular destinations, Christchurch has more sights and attractions for tourists. Christchurch is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Krabi attracts visitors for its resorts and small town charm. Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also well known for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

How is Krabi different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Christchurch 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 Christchurch?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Krabi or Christchurch.

Many visitors head to Krabi specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Christchurch can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

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

Christchurch is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is Krabi or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Christchurch has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

Krabi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Is Krabi or Christchurch Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Christchurch is not a resort destination.

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.

Christchurch is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beach.

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

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 Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Christchurch?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Krabi and Christchurch.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Krabi. 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.

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Is Krabi or Christchurch More Beautiful?

Christchurch is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Krabi or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is one of the most popular family destinations. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Krabi is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Is Krabi or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Both Krabi and Christchurch are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Krabi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Krabi or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Christchurch is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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 Christchurch Better for Students?

Christchurch is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Krabi is not popular with students.

Christchurch is very popular with students. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Krabi is not popular with students.

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

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

Christchurch has some public transit options. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

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 Christchurch a more walkable city?

Christchurch 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.

Christchurch is very walkable. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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 Christchurch Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Krabi or Christchurch. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Christchurch due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 2-4 days is enough time in Christchurch.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

One day in Krabi or Christchurch?

In Krabi, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this local 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 Christchurch, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this adventure-filled destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city 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 Christchurch?

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 Christchurch. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Krabi or Christchurch?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant 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.

Christchurch is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Christchurch. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Krabi or Christchurch?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Christchurch. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Christchurch?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Christchurch, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Krabi or Christchurch?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch in the Summer?

Both Christchurch and Krabi during the summer 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 summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krabi is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Christchurch averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the summer, Krabi often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin January. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Christchurch in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Christchurch. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Christchurchin April. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Krabi is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Christchurch in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Christchurch. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krabi is much warmer than Christchurch in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin July. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.

Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Krabi is the dry season.

Should I visit Krabi or Christchurch in the Spring?

Both Christchurch and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Krabi. In April, Krabi usually receives more rain than Christchurchin October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Krabi