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

Should you visit Krabi or Matsue?

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 Matsue 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Krabi travel costs.

Matsue

Matsue is a serene, historic, and quiet town. Matsue is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Matsue travel costs.

Krabi and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Matsue?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Matsue. Although Krabi and Matsue are popular destinations, Matsue has more sights and attractions for tourists. Matsue is very popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Krabi attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm. Matsue is more touristy than Krabi and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. It is also well known for the Matsue Castle. Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Krabi different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Krabi or Matsue.

Many visitors head to Krabi specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Matsue can be an interesting and educational experience. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Matsue 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 Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

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 Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Krabi is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Krabi or Matsue Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Matsue is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Krabi offers a few options. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Matsue Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a town with a few options for the beach. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Krabi. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Krabi or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is very good for its historic old town. However, Krabi does not have a historic old town.

Matsue is a good destination for visiting its old town. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Krabi does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Matsue?

Krabi is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Krabi is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Krabi or Matsue More Beautiful?

Matsue is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Matsue is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

Krabi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Krabi or Matsue Better for Families?

Krabi is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Krabi or Matsue Better for Couples?

Krabi is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Krabi or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Matsue are both nice 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 Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

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

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Matsue. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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 Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Matsue is very walkable. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Matsue. In our opinion, Krabi has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Krabi than Matsue. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Krabi or Matsue?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Krabi. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Matsue, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic destination offers. 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 Matsue?

Krabi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Krabi. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Krabi or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the stunning destination of Krabi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the peaceful destination of Matsue. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Krabi during the summer 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 visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).

In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the summer, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Matsue. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Matsue. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Krabi is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Matsue. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. Krabi is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Krabi is the dry season.

Should I visit Krabi or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In April, Krabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Matsue. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Krabi