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

Should you visit Krabi or Kobe?

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 Kobe can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a stunning, local, and vibrant town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Kobe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kobe than Krabi, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kobe is better known for its food and big city activities, while Krabi is more popular for its museums, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Krabi is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. Kobe is well known for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. Also, Kobe is famous for Kobe Harborland.

How is Krabi different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Kobe is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kobe. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

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 Kobe Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Kobe.

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.

Kobe has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Krabi or Kobe Better for Resorts?

Krabi is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Krabi as a resort destination, but it has a few places. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Kobe Better for Beaches?

Krabi is adequate for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

The beach in Krabi is worth checking out. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Kobe?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Krabi and Kobe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Krabi. 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.

Kobe is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Is Krabi or Kobe Better for Families?

Krabi is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Krabi. 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.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Krabi or Kobe Better for Couples?

Krabi is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Krabi is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Krabi or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Kobe are both notable 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 Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

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

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

Kobe has some public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

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 Kobe a more walkable city?

Krabi and Kobe are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Kobe is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Krabi or Kobe to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Krabi than Kobe because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kobe.

Families should spend more time in Krabi than Kobe. 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 Kobe. 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.

One day in Krabi or Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Krabi. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kobe, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Krabi or Kobe?

Krabi is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Krabi. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Krabi or Kobe?

The vibrant town of Krabi offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Kobe. 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 from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Kobe, 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 Kobe?

Kobe 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 Kobe in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Also, most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Kobe. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Kobe. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Kobe in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Kobe. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Krabi is a little warmer than Kobe in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Kobe. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Krabi is the dry season. August to October in Krabi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Krabi or Kobe in the Winter?

Both Kobe and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.

In the winter, Krabi is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krabi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe averages at about 5°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Kobe. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Krabi is December to March.

Should I visit Krabi or Kobe in the Spring?

Both Kobe and Krabi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city.

In April, Krabi is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the spring, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun.

Kobe 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 April than Kobe. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Krabi