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

Should you visit Krabi or Kanchanaburi?

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 Kanchanaburi 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a somber, informative, and educational town. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Kanchanaburi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Kanchanaburi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Krabi. Although Krabi and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations, Krabi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kanchanaburi is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks. Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. It is also well known for Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea).

How is Krabi different from Kanchanaburi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Kanchanaburi can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is most recognized for the Bridge on the River Kwai (Death Railway Bridge), which you can walk across or take a train across. The city also has the Thailand Burma Railway Center and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the Memorial Museum, Chungkai Cemetery, and the JEATH War Museum.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Krabi and Kanchanaburi can be difficult as they are each nice 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 Kanchanaburi. While food isn't the first thing that comes to mind here, you'll find markets with great street food as well as interesting riverside and floating restaurants. A local specialty that you should try is the gaeng paa pla khang (jungle curry). There are also western style restaurants if you need a break from the curry. Many visitors head to Mae Nam Khwae Road for most of their meals.

Is Krabi or Kanchanaburi Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Kanchanaburi.

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.

Kanchanaburi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The backpacker scene keeps the nightlife active. You'll find locals and tourists mingling along Maenam Kwai Road. You'll also find several clubs along Song Kwae Road.

Is Krabi or Kanchanaburi Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kanchanaburi 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.

Kanchanaburi is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Kanchanaburi Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a decent place to visit for the beache. However, Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

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.

Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Kanchanaburi?

Krabi is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Krabi is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Kanchanaburi to go shopping. There are lively night markets, active walking streets, and independent vendors where you can pick up souvenirs or anything that you might need.

Is Krabi or Kanchanaburi Better for Families?

Krabi is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Krabi is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kanchanaburi. Although most people think of "The Bridge over the River Kwai" when they think of Kanchanaburi, for families, there are actually a number of outdoor adventures in the area that kids will enjoy. Biking, hiking, and kayaking are all popular. The locals are also very friendly and welcoming to children.

Is Krabi or Kanchanaburi Better for Couples?

Krabi is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Kanchanaburi is a good town for couples to visit. It's an educational and informative place to visit, but there are also outdoor activities that couples can enjoy together.

Is Krabi or Kanchanaburi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Kanchanaburi are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Krabi is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kanchanaburi. There are plenty of hostels to choose from in the area, and like many places in Thailand, it is an affordable place to visit.

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

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

Kanchanaburi has some public transit options. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

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 Kanchanaburi a more walkable city?

Krabi and Kanchanaburi are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Kanchanaburi is a somewhat walkable place. There is a Walking Street in the town that has restaurants and nightlife.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanchanaburi or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Kanchanaburi?

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

Families should spend more time in Krabi than Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi?

In Krabi, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this stunning 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 Kanchanaburi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this informative destination offers. 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 Kanchanaburi?

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 Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi?

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.

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

A week in Krabi or Kanchanaburi?

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 somber destination of Kanchanaburi. 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 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Kanchanaburi?

Kanchanaburi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Kanchanaburi, 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 Kanchanaburi?

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 Kanchanaburi in the Summer?

Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Kanchanaburi during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?

Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Krabi. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Kanchanaburi. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Krabi often gets less sunshine than Kanchanaburi. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 206 hours of full sun.

In October, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?

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

December to March in Krabi is the dry season. In January, Krabi usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?

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

Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Kanchanaburi. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanchanaburi. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 262 hours of full sun.

Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Krabi is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 32°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Krabi