Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
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 Nakhon Ratchasima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
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.
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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 in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrabi $55Nakhon Ratchasima $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $55, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Krabi and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $36Nakhon Ratchasima $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $72Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Nakhon Ratchasima
Looking for a hotel in Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Krabi Hotel Prices and Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $3.80Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$2.73
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.18
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Longboat Taxi from Town$5.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Van Phuket Airport Transfer to Patong Beach Area (SHA Plus): $37
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to TRI TRANG BEACH: $33
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to SURIN BEACH: $28
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to SIRAY BAY: $39
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to ROYAL YACHT HAVEN: $28
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to ROYAL PHUKET MARINA: $28
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to RAWAI BEACH: $42
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to PHUKET TOWN: $30
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NATAI BEACH: $39
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NAITHON BEACH: $26
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NAIHARN BEACH: $39
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to LAYAN BEACH: $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima 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
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Food Meals for one dayKrabi $13Nakhon Ratchasima $15
Typical Food Prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.82
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Drinks on the Beach$6.55
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$17
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$30
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Mango Shake$1.36
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Pad Thai$2.73
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Fruit from the Market$1.64
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Pancakes$2.73
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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:
- Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Smart Cook: $36
- Snorkeling and Sunset Dinner Trip From Krabi: $37
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner and Snorkeling: $37
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner & Plankton: $37
- Evening Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $39
- 4 Islands Sunset Longtail Boat Tour with BBQ Dinner: $41
- Seven Islands Snorkel Cruise with Dinner: $41
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour: $42
- Krabi Thai Cooking Class: $43
- Krabi 4 Islands Sunset Premium Service Trip by Speedboat + BBQ Dinner: $43
- 4 Island Sunset Tour by Luxury Longtail Boat with BBQ Dinner: $44
- Thai Charm Cooking School Krabi: $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krabi $10Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Thai-English Book$9.00
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Thai Massages (for Two)$22
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Bikini & Sarong$16
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$12
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$6.82
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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:
- Full Day Guided Tour in Bor Thor Caves and Mangroves : $146
- Phi Phi Islands Tour with Bioluminescent Planktons from krabi: $78
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Tour On The Beach Krabi: $43
- 2 Hour Horse Riding Tour On The Beach Krabi: $60
- 2-Hour Clear Kayak Illuminated Night Tour in Krabi: $61
- 4 Island Joint Tour by Speed Boat from Krabi: $46
- 4 Island Speed Boat Adventure by Sea Eagle Tour from Krabi: $34
- 4 Island Sunset Snorkeling Cruise + bioluminescent Night Snorkel: $103
- 4 Islands Day Tour from Krabi with Tub, Chicken, Poda Island & Phra Nang Cave: $51
- 4 Islands Full-day Tour from Krabi with Tub, Chicken, Poda Island & Phra Nang: $54
- 4 Islands One Day Tour From Krabi: $28
- 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat from Krabi with Walk on Tombolo: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $4.34Nakhon Ratchasima $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer$2.45
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Cocktails (for Two)$8.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Krabi
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
- Railay Pub Crawl: $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Krabi is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Krabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krabi than you might in Nakhon Ratchasima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Krabi has a larger population, and is about 31220 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrabi 28°C (82°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?
Both Nakhon Ratchasima 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Krabi. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Nakhon Ratchasima. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrabi 27°C (81°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Krabi is the dry season. In January, Krabi usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Krabi is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrabi 28°C (82°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.
Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Krabi is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrabi 29°C (84°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Krabi
| Krabi | Nakhon Ratchasima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.