A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Katoomba for Families, Attractions, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Krabi or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a natural, relaxing, and breathtaking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Katoomba is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Katoomba travel costs.

Krabi and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Katoomba?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Katoomba. Although Krabi and Katoomba are both popular with visitors, Katoomba has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Katoomba is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Krabi is known for its museums and attractions, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Katoomba is more touristy than Krabi and is popular for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. It is also home to Scenic World. 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 Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Krabi and Katoomba 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 Katoomba. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Krabi or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Katoomba.

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.

Katoomba has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Krabi or Katoomba Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Katoomba Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a moderate town for its beaches. However, Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Krabi is a good spot to see the beach. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Krabi or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

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

Many people visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Katoomba?

Krabi is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba 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 Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Krabi or Katoomba More Beautiful?

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

Katoomba is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's a town surrounded by natural beauty. It offers easy access to breathtaking views and impressive hikes through the Blue Mountains.

Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Krabi or Katoomba Better for Families?

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

Katoomba is one of the most popular family destinations. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba Better for Couples?

Both Krabi and Katoomba 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 Katoomba frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

Is Krabi or Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Katoomba is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural 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 Katoomba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Katoomba has some public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

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 Katoomba a more walkable city?

Krabi and Katoomba are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Krabi or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba 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 Katoomba.

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

Couples should spend more time in Krabi than Katoomba. 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba.

One day in Krabi or Katoomba?

The town of Krabi offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Katoomba is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Katoomba?

Krabi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Krabi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Katoomba. 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 Katoomba?

Krabi is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Katoomba is a fun place to experience. Katoomba is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Krabi or Katoomba?

Krabi is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Katoomba is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Katoomba?

Krabi has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

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

Krabi is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets less sunshine than Katoombain January. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Krabi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Krabi or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Krabi is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krabi in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.

Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 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 Katoomba in the Winter?

Both Katoomba 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

In January, Krabi is generally much warmer than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Katoombain July. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Krabi is much warmer than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba 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 Katoomba during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 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 Katoombain October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Krabi