A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Sendai for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Krabi or Sendai?

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 Sendai 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. See Krabi travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a lively, high energy, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sendai travel costs.

Krabi and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Sendai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sendai. Although Krabi and Sendai are popular destinations, Sendai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sendai is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Krabi attracts visitors for its resorts and small town charm. Sendai is more touristy than Krabi and is known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also well known for the statue of Lord Masamune. 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 Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Krabi or Sendai.

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 Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Krabi and Sendai can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Sendai. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Krabi or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

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

Sendai has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

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 Sendai Better for Resorts?

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

Sendai is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is very good for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beach.

Many people head to Sendai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

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 Sendai?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Krabi and Sendai.

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.

Sendai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Krabi or Sendai Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Sendai.

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.

Sendai is a very kid-friendly town. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Krabi or Sendai Better for Couples?

Krabi is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai 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.

Sendai is a good town for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Krabi or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Sendai 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 Sendai. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai 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 Sendai. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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 Sendai a more walkable city?

Sendai 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.

Sendai is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Sendai?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Krabi than Sendai. 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 Sendai 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 Sendai.

One day in Krabi or Sendai?

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 Sendai, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this high energy destination offers. 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai. 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 Sendai?

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.

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

A week in Krabi or Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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 lively destination of Sendai. 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai 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, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krabi is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Sendai. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.

Should I visit Krabi or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Sendai 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 Sendai. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 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 Sendai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. Krabi is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Sendai. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 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 Sendai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Sendai. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Krabi