A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Krabi vs. Khao Lak for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Krabi or Khao Lak?

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 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 $41, while the average daily cost in Khao Lak is $92. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Krabi and Khao Lak in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krabi $25
    Khao Lak $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krabi $50
    Khao Lak $86

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krabi $3.66
    Khao Lak $42
Typical Local Transportation prices in Krabi

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.19
  • Short Tuk-Tuk Ride
    $2.73
  • 2 Bottles of Gasoline
    $2.18
  • Longboat Taxi from Town
    $5.46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi

Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ferry Transfer Phuket To/From Phi Phi: $16
  • Krabi Airport: Private Transfers to/from Hotels in Koh Lanta: $87
  • Ferry Transfer To/From Koh Phi Phi with Van Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer To/From Khao Sok Area: $141
  • Phuket: Speedboat Transfer To/From Ko Phi Phi Don: $31
  • Private Departure Transfer from Krabi Town to KBV Krabi Airport: $19
  • Private Round Trip Transfer between Krabi Town and KBV Krabi Airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Krabi City to Krabi (KBV) Airport: $41
  • Private Transfer from Krabi to Phuket with 2h of Sightseeing: $91
  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:

  • SUV Car Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport: $59
  • SUV Car Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Patong, Kata, Karon Beach: $100
  • Round Trip Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $60
  • Krabi to Khao Lak and Phang Nga Town: Private City Transfers: $112
  • Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $64
  • Khao Lak any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $113
  • Khao Lak any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $212

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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Krabi $10
    Khao Lak $24
Typical Food prices in Krabi

For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.83
  • Drinks on the Beach
    $6.55
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $17
  • Nice Dinner (for Two)
    $30
  • Mango Shake
    $1.37
  • Pad Thai
    $2.73
  • Fruit from the Market
    $1.64
  • Pancakes
    $2.73
  • Coffee & Cake
    $2.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi

For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private 4-Island Sunset Tour with Dinner: $721

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.

  • Riverside Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour: $63
  • Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak: $71
  • 4-Hour Traditional Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krabi $8.14
    Khao Lak $15
Typical Entertainment prices in Krabi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Thai-English Book
    $9.01
  • Thai Massages (for Two)
    $22
  • Bikini & Sarong
    $16
  • Yoga Class (1 Hour)
    $12
  • Backgammon Set (travel size)
    $6.83
  • Kayak Trip (for Two)
    $52

Tours and Activities in Krabi

For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Ko Lanta: Mangrove Kayaking Half-Day Tour: $36
  • ATV Adventure: $39
  • Hong Islands Boat Tour with Panorama Viewpoint: $41
  • Private Sunset Boat Trip and Night Market Tour: $44
  • Koh Hong Sunset Tour with Beach BBQ and Night Snorkel: $52
  • Krabi 4 Island Tour By Speed Boat From Krabi: $54
  • From Koh Phi Phi: Island Hopping and Snorkeling Tour: $55
  • Kayaking Tour to Ao Thueak Lagoon with Lunch: $56
  • Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with Lae Nai Lagoon and Lunch: $56
  • Half-Day Zip Line Adventure: $58
  • Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with Nai Nang Village & Lunch: $62

Tours and Activities in Khao Lak

Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $103
  • From Phuket Or Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour: $116
  • Jungle Trekking to Waterfall and Adventure Tubing 45 min. (Only Khao lak): $80
  • Khao Lak to Similan Islands Snorkeling Tour: $109
  • Elephant Bathing and Feeding Tour with Waterfall: $61
  • Rafting, Elephant Bathing & Sea Turtle Center Tour: $72
  • Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Drinks: $25
  • Local Life Experience (Takuapa): $84
  • Phi Phi Islands - Early Bird Snorkeling Tour from Khao Lak in English, French, German, Italian: $126
  • Rafting, ATV and Ziplining Adventure in Phangnga: $147
  • Similan Islands One Day Tour From Khao Lak: $118
  • Similan Islands Snorkeling Tour By Speed Catamaran From Khao Lak: $122

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krabi $3.48
    Khao Lak $11
Typical Alcohol prices in Krabi

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.46
  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $8.19

About these numbers

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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Krabi vs. Khao Lak Travel Comparison

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