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

Should you visit Krabi or Noosa Heads?

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 Noosa Heads 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a scenic, natural, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Krabi and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Noosa Heads?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Noosa Heads. Although Krabi and Noosa Heads are popular destinations, Noosa Heads has more sights and attractions for tourists. Noosa Heads is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Krabi attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, and shopping. Noosa Heads is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. It is also well known for Noosa Main Beach. 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 Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is a great town for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Noosa Heads.

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.

Noosa Heads has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Krabi or Noosa Heads Better for Resorts?

Krabi is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is an amazing coastal town to visit for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Noosa Heads is a very popular vacation destination. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

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 Krabi or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Noosa Heads?

Krabi is a great town for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Krabi is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Krabi or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Noosa Heads.

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.

Noosa Heads is a very kid-friendly town. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Is Krabi or Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

Both Krabi and Noosa Heads are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Couples visit Noosa Heads frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Krabi or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Noosa Heads is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Noosa Heads is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

It's common for backpackers to visit Krabi. 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.

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

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

Noosa Heads has some public transit options. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

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 Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is very walkable. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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 Noosa Heads Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Krabi or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Noosa Heads due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 2-4 days is enough time in Noosa Heads.

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

Couples should spend more time in Noosa Heads than Krabi. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Noosa Heads that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Krabi or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant 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.

Even though Noosa Heads is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This coastal 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 Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant 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 Noosa Heads. 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 Noosa Heads?

The local 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.

Noosa Heads is a fun place to experience. Noosa Heads is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the beaches. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Krabi or Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Noosa Heads?

Krabi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Noosa Heads. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krabi is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Headsin January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Noosa Heads. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 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 Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads 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 winter months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krabi is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.

In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Krabi is December to March.

Should I visit Krabi or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads 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. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Krabi