A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Hoi An for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Krabi or Hoi An?

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 Hoi An can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a vibrant, colorful, and stunning town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a beautiful, traditional, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Hoi An: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Hoi An?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hoi An. Although Krabi and Hoi An are both popular with visitors, Hoi An has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hoi An is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Krabi is known for its nightlife, resorts, and small town charm. Hoi An is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. It is also home to the Fukian Assembly Hall. 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 Hoi An?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Krabi or Hoi An.

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 Hoi An can be an interesting and educational experience. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

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

Hoi An is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hoi An has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

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 Hoi An Better for Nightlife?

Krabi is a good destination for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Krabi or Hoi An Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Hoi An is not a resort destination.

Krabi has a few resort options worth checking out. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Hoi An is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Hoi An Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is very good for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

Many people head to Hoi An to enjoy the beach. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

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 Hoi An Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town. However, Krabi does not have a historic old town.

Hoi An offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

Krabi does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Hoi An?

Hoi An is an amazing town to visit for shopping. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Hoi An. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

Krabi is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Krabi or Hoi An Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Hoi An.

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.

Hoi An is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Is Krabi or Hoi An Better for Couples?

Both Krabi and Hoi An are high quality 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 Hoi An frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in town.

Is Krabi or Hoi An Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Hoi An. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

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 Hoi An Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Hoi An has some public transit options. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

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 Hoi An a more walkable city?

Hoi An is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Hoi An. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time 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 Hoi An Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hoi An or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Hoi An?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Hoi An. In our opinion, Hoi An has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hoi An than Krabi. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.

One day in Krabi or Hoi An?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Krabi. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Hoi An, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Hoi An?

Krabi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hoi An. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Hoi An?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Krabi. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Hoi An is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hoi An. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Krabi or Hoi An?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the stunning destination of Krabi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the peaceful destination of Hoi An. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Hoi An, we can see that Krabi is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Hoi An?

Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Hoi An, 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 Hoi An?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Krabi or Hoi An in the Summer?

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

The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Hoi An. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Hoi An. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Hoi An during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Hoi An in the summer. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hoi An fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Hoi An in the Autumn?

Both Hoi An and Krabi during the autumn 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 Hoi An year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Krabi. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets less rain in October than Hoi An. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 158 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Krabi is around the same temperature as Hoi An. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krabi in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hoi An averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Hoi An in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Hoi An. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to March in Krabi is the dry season. February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Hoi An. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Hoi An during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 136 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krabi is generally a little warmer than Hoi An. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Hoi An fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Hoi An in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Hoi An. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Hoi An. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 210 hours of full sun.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Hoi An in the spring. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Hoi An fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Hoi An and Krabi