A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a ritzy, glamourous, and high energy city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Krabi and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise than Krabi, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surfers Paradise is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Krabi is more popular for its small town charm. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. Also, Surfers Paradise is famous for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Krabi is well known for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Krabi different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Surfers Paradise can be an interesting and educational experience. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Surfers Paradise has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its resorts.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Surfers Paradise is a perfect choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

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.

Is Krabi or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Krabi or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Surfers Paradise is a very popular vacation destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is very good for its hiking trails. However, Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Surfers Paradise. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Krabi is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Krabi or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

Krabi is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Is Krabi or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

Both Krabi and Surfers Paradise are excellent 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 Surfers Paradise frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Krabi or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Surfers Paradise has some public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

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 Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Krabi and Surfers Paradise are notable when it comes to walkability.

Krabi is somewhat walkable. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable place. There are walking and bike paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Krabi Worth Visiting? and Is Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

Both Krabi and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Krabi. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Krabi, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the local destination of Krabi. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Surfers Paradise, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this ritzy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the local town of Krabi. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

Krabi is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Surfers Paradise is a fun place to experience. In Surfers Paradise, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

Krabi is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

In Surfers Paradise, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this glamourous destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Surfers Paradise?

Krabi has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.

Should I visit Krabi or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise 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, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Krabi is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Krabi often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 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 Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Krabi is much warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krabi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Krabi is the dry season.

Should I visit Krabi or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Surfers Paradise. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches.

In April, Krabi is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein October. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Krabi