Should you visit Krabi or Khao Lak?
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 Khao Lak can help you decide which place is right for you.
Krabi
Thailand is covered in beaches, but if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to Krabi, also known as "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi. Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience.
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
Which city is cheaper, Khao Lak or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $45, while the average daily cost in Khao Lak is $103. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Krabi and Khao Lak in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $56 in Krabi For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Khao Lak is $96. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Krabi cost around $11 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $4.40.
On average, meal and food prices in Khao Lak cost around $27 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $11.
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Food
Meals for one day
Krabi $11
Khao Lak $27
Typical Food prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Local Transportation
To get around in Krabi, the average visitor spends $4.09 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The cost of a taxi ride in Khao Lak is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $47 per person, per day, on local transportation in Khao Lak.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental
$9.17
-
Short Tuk-Tuk Ride
$3.06
-
2 Bottles of Gasoline
$2.45
-
Longboat Taxi from Town
$6.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Krabi/Phuket Airport Transfers (KBV/HKT) for Krabi & More:
$15
-
Private Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket and Other Areas by Oriental Holiday:
$18
-
7 Spa Luxury Spa Treatments in Pattaya with Round Trip Transfers:
$26
-
Ferry & Bus Transfers between Koh Samui and Krabi:
$26
-
Ferry & Bus Transfers between Krabi and Koh Samui:
$26
-
Ferry Transfers between Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi:
$18
-
Ferry Transfers between Krabi and Koh Phi Phi:
$16
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
-
Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan High Speed Transfers:
$40
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Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi High Speed Transfers:
$18
-
Koh Lanta to Koh Samui High Speed Transfers:
$36
-
Koh Lanta to Koh Tao High Speed Transfers:
$49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
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[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test by Nabon Inter Medical Clinic in Phuket (Transfer arranged by TTD):
$21
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Phuket with Transfers:
$22
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Chiang Mai with Transfers:
$5.59
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Shared Minivan Transfers between Krabi & Khao Sok:
$16
-
Shared Minivan Transfers between Krabi & Khao Lak:
$17
-
Shared Airport Bus Transfer Phuket :
$3.09
-
Samui Airport Transfers (USM) for Koh Samui and More:
$15
-
SUV Car Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport:
$59
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SUV Car Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Patong, Kata, Karon Beach:
$100
-
Round Trip Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak:
$60
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Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok, Pattaya, and More by Oriental Holiday:
$17
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Khao Lak?
Prices for flights to both Khao Lak and Krabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
In Krabi, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $9.12 per person, per day.
Entertainment and activities in Khao Lak typically cost an average of $17 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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SHOCK PRICE!! Only at THB10 for Airport Rail Link (ARL) Single Journey Ticket with FREE EMS:
$0.30
-
Pattaya Pipo Pony Club Admission Ticket in Pattaya:
$1.55
-
Pattaya Sheep Farm Ticket:
$2.19
-
Ramayana Water Park Ticket in Pattaya:
$3.75
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Nails, Eyelash, and Waxing Beauty Experience at Ju's Nail:
$3.75
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Wakeboarding Experience at Thai Wake Park in Pattaya:
$4.19
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Pong Yang Adventure Park Experience:
$4.49
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Rejuv Salon Beauty Experiences at Sathon Bangkok:
$5.85
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Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Ticket in Pattaya:
$5.89
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Sleep Salon & Nails Experience in Bangkok:
$6.15
-
Kanchanaburi Mallika City Ticket:
$6.19
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
-
ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
-
Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
-
Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
-
Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
-
Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
-
Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
-
Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
-
Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Krabi spend on average $3.90 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Khao Lak may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $12 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer
$2.75
-
Cocktails (for Two)
$9.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Krabi
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
Sample the Local Flavors in Khao Lak
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Khao Lak:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Khao Lak, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak than you might in Krabi.
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