A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Melbourne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Krabi or Melbourne?

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

Krabi

Krabi is a vibrant, colorful, and stunning town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a friendly, cultural, and progressive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Krabi and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Melbourne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne. Although Krabi and Melbourne are popular destinations, Melbourne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Melbourne is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Krabi attracts visitors for its resorts and small town charm. Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also well known for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Krabi different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Krabi or Melbourne.

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 Melbourne can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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.

Is Krabi or Melbourne Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Melbourne?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Krabi and Melbourne.

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.

Melbourne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Is Krabi or Melbourne Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Melbourne.

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.

Melbourne is a very kid-friendly town. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Krabi or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Krabi is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Krabi makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Melbourne is a good town for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Krabi or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Krabi or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Krabi is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Krabi is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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 Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is very walkable. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Melbourne?

In either Krabi or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than Krabi because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

Families should spend more time in Melbourne than Krabi. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Melbourne, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne 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 Melbourne.

One day in Krabi or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Krabi. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city 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 Melbourne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the local destination of Krabi. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning town of Krabi. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Krabi or Melbourne?

Krabi is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly big city of Melbourne. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krabi is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.

Should I visit Krabi or Melbourne in the Autumn?

Both Melbourne and Krabi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Melbournein April. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Krabi. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Melbourne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krabi is much warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Krabi or Melbourne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Melbourne. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Melbournein October. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Krabi