A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Torquay for Beaches, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Krabi or Torquay?

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 Torquay 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.

Torquay

Torquay is a trendy, casual, and laid back surf town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Torquay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Torquay. Although Krabi and Torquay are popular destinations, Torquay has more sights and attractions for tourists. Torquay is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Krabi attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, and shopping. Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. Torquay is famous for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. It is also well known for Bells Beach.

How is Krabi different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is great for its historical sights. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Krabi can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Torquay. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Krabi and Torquay 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 Torquay. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Krabi or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Torquay.

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.

Torquay has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Krabi or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Krabi is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay 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.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Torquay is an amazing surf town to visit for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Torquay is a very popular vacation destination. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

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 Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay 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 Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Torquay?

Krabi is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf 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 Torquay to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Krabi or Torquay Better for Families?

Krabi is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Krabi is very family-friendly. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Krabi or Torquay Better for Couples?

Both Krabi and Torquay 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 Torquay frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Is Krabi or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Torquay 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 Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

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

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

Torquay has some public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

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 Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay 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.

Torquay is very walkable. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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 Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Torquay. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Torquay 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 Torquay.

One day in Krabi or Torquay?

In Krabi, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Torquay, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this trendy destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This surf 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 Torquay?

In Krabi, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Krabi has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Torquay. 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 Torquay?

Krabi is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Torquay is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Torquay. 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 Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Krabi. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Krabi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the hip destination of Torquay. 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Torquay?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Torquay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay 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 Torquayin January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Torquay. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Krabi is generally a little warmer than Torquayin April. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 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 Torquay in the Winter?

Both Torquay 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, most visitors come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Krabi is much warmer than Torquay in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Torquayin July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 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 Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Krabi is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Torquay averages at about 21°C (71°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Krabi