A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Lake Tekapo for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Krabi or Lake Tekapo?

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 Lake Tekapo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a colorful, stunning, and local town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a basic, small, and remote town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Krabi and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Krabi than Lake Tekapo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Krabi is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Lake Tekapo is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Krabi is well known for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. Also, Krabi is famous for Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea). Lake Tekapo is well known for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Krabi different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Krabi is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Krabi area. 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.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Krabi is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Krabi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a town with a few options for the beach. However, Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lake Tekapo. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Lake Tekapo?

Krabi is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Lake Tekapo.

Krabi is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Lake Tekapo is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Krabi is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Krabi frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

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

Krabi is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a 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).

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Krabi or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Krabi and Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo is a somewhat walkable place. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Krabi or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Krabi than Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo.

Families should spend more time in Krabi than Lake Tekapo. 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 Lake Tekapo. 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 Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning town of Krabi. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Lake Tekapo, many people enjoy the that this remote destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town 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 Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Krabi. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

The vibrant town of Krabi offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Lake Tekapo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Lake Tekapo. 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 Lake Tekapo?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Krabi. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the small destination of Lake Tekapo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Lake Tekapo?

Krabi has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Lake Tekapo, 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.