A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Krabi vs. Hat Yai for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Krabi or Hat Yai?

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 Hat Yai 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a cultural, lively, and festive city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Hat Yai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Hat Yai?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hat Yai than Krabi, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hat Yai is better known for its food and big city activities, while Krabi is more popular for its museums, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Krabi is more touristy than Hat Yai and is popular for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. Hat Yai is well known for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples. Also, Hat Yai is famous for Wat Hat Yai Nai.

How is Krabi different from Hat Yai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Hat Yai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

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

Hat Yai is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hat Yai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

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 Hat Yai Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Hat Yai.

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.

Hat Yai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

Is Krabi or Hat Yai Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Hat Yai is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Krabi as a resort destination, but it has a few places. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Hat Yai is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Hat Yai Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a moderate town for the beach. However, Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

The beach in Krabi is worth checking out. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Hat Yai?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Krabi and Hat Yai.

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.

Hat Yai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

Is Krabi or Hat Yai Better for Families?

Krabi is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Krabi is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Is Krabi or Hat Yai Better for Couples?

Krabi is notable for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Krabi is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Krabi or Hat Yai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Krabi is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Krabi and Hat Yai.

Public transit is mostly 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).

Public transit is generally limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Is Krabi or Hat Yai a more walkable city?

Krabi is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its walkability.

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

Hat Yai is generally not a very walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Krabi Worth Visiting? and Is Hat Yai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hat Yai or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Hat Yai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Hat Yai. In our opinion, Krabi has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Krabi than Hat Yai. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 1-3 days is enough time in Hat Yai.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Krabi than Hat Yai 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 Krabi.

One day in Krabi or Hat Yai?

In Krabi, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Hat Yai, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this festive destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Krabi or Hat Yai?

In Krabi, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Krabi has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hat Yai. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Hat Yai?

Krabi is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Hat Yai is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hat Yai. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Krabi or Hat Yai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Krabi. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Krabi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Hat Yai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Hat Yai, we can see that Krabi is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Krabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krabi than you might in Hat Yai.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Hat Yai?

Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Hat Yai, 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 Hat Yai?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Krabi or Hat Yai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Hat Yai. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.

August to October in Krabi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Hat Yai. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hat Yai. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hat Yai receives 206 hours of full sun.

In July, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Hat Yai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Hat Yai in the Autumn?

Both Hat Yai and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hat Yai. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hat Yai during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Hat Yai receives 182 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Hat Yai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hat Yai fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Hat Yai in the Winter?

Both Hat Yai 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Krabi. January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Hat Yai. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Hat Yai. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hat Yai receives 221 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Krabi is around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krabi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Hat Yai averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Hat Yai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Hat Yai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Krabi usually receives more rain than Hat Yai. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hat Yai during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Hat Yai receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Hat Yai fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Hat Yai and Krabi