Which place is cheaper, Palawan or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Krabi or Palawan?
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 Palawan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Palawan?
Krabi
Krabi is both a large town and region in southern Thailand. While the region is covered in beaches, if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to "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 (where you'll find famous places such as Railay, Ao Nang, Haad Yao, and plenty of others). 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. There's a good chance you'll be passing through on your way to one of the famous beaches, so take advantage of your brief time here.
Palawan
Palawan is an archipelagic province of the Philippines, named for its largest island which measures about 450 kilometers (or 280 miles) long. The island is known as an ecological frontier with plenty of beaches and resorts as well as opportunities to see a diverse array of wildlife and their habitats on land and sea.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Krabi Prices
Thailand PricesPalawan Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrabi $71Palawan $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $71, while the average daily cost in Palawan 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 Palawan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $40Palawan $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $80Palawan $24
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Palawan
Looking for a hotel in Krabi or Palawan? 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 Palawan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $4.18Palawan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.01
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$3.00
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.40
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Longboat Taxi from Town$6.01
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): $41
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PHUKET TOWN (SHA Plus): $43
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to TRI TRANG BEACH: $36
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to SIRAY BAY: $42
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to RASSADA PIER: $61
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to PATONG BEACH: $76
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NAIYANG BEACH: $29
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NAITHON BEACH: $29
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NAIHARN BEACH: $43
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to MAI KHAO BEACH: $30
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to LAYAN BEACH: $26
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to LAGUNA BEACH: $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palawan
Also for Palawan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Transfer: $10
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido: $100
- Private Van Transfers: Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Vice Versa: $48
- Private Van Transfer Coron Town to Airport: $70
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $218
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- Private Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Transfer: $79
- El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $49
- El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $49
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido Beginner Surf Lesson with Lunch and Round-Trip Transfers: $74
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Palawan?
Prices for flights to both Palawan 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 $24Palawan $17
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)$7.51
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Drinks on the Beach$7.21
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$19
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$33
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Mango Shake$1.50
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Pad Thai$3.00
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Fruit from the Market$1.80
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Pancakes$3.00
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Coffee & Cake$2.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Buffet Dinner & Snorkeling: $32
- 7 Islands Sunset & Plankton Swim with BBQ Dinner: $35
- Krabi 7 Islands Sunset Island Hopping with BBQ Dinner by Big Boat: $35
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $35
- Krabi 7 Islands Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $36
- Hands on Half-day Cooking Class by Authentic Thai Cooking: $38
- Krabi 7 Islands Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner & Plankton Night: $39
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Buffet Dinner & Night Snorkeling: $39
- Small-Group Smart Thai Cooking Class in Krabi: $39
- Snorkeling and Sunset to Krabi 7 Islands by Longtail Boat + Buffet BBQ Dinner: $39
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang: $39
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang: $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palawan
For Palawan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- El Nido Fishing with Local Fisherman with Sunset Dinner: $136
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krabi $11Palawan $4.83
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$9.91
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Thai Massages (for Two)$24
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Bikini & Sarong$18
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$13
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$7.51
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Kayak Trip (for Two)$57
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Tour On The Beach Krabi: $50
- 2 Hour Horse Riding Tour On The Beach Krabi: $74
- 2-Hour Clear Kayak Illuminated Night Tour in Krabi: $56
- 2-Hour The best of Krabi Private Walking Tour: $278
- 4 Island Full Day Krabi Tour: Longtail Boat & Lunch: $39
- 4 Island Group Tour by Traditional Long Tail Boat in Ao Nang: $46
- 4 Island Joint Tour by Speed Boat from Krabi: $50
- 4 Island Snorkeling Tour on a LongTail Boat from Krabi: $37
- 4 Island Speed Boat Adventure from Krabi: $36
- 4 Island Tour by Longtail Boat Krabi + Lunch + Pick Up + Drop Off: $20
- 4 Island tour by SPEEDBOAT from Krabi + Lunch + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $31
- 4 Islands Day Tour by Speed Boat from Ao Nang, Krabi: $40
Tours and Activities in Palawan
For Palawan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2in1 City tour + museum & transportation from cruise port /hotel: $25
- 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
- 3d2n ELNIDO Package tour: $280
- 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
- All-Inclusive El Nido Beach Hopping Private Tour: $153
- Balabac Tour Semi-Private 4D3N (price varies by group size): $590
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
- Coron Culion Island Escapade Private Tour: $132
- Coron Island Adventure Snorkeling Dugong Watching and More: $130
- Coron Island Escapade Group Tour with Island Lunch: $48
- Coron Island Escapade Tour (Shared Tour): $50
- Coron Island Hopping Tour A (Private Tour): $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $4.79Palawan $6.90
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$2.70
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Cocktails (for Two)$9.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Krabi
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
- Krabi Pub Crawl - The Best Nightlife Tour in Ao Nang!: $15
- Krabi Pub Crawl: $15
- Railay Pub Crawl: $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Palawan, we can see that Krabi is more expensive. And not only is Palawan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palawan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palawan 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 Palawan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Palawan Expensive?.
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.