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

Should you visit Krabi or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Wellington. Although Krabi and Wellington are popular destinations, Wellington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wellington is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Krabi attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, and small town charm. Wellington is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also well known for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. 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 Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Krabi offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Wellington 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 Wellington. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington Better for Nightlife?

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

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington Better for Resorts?

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

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

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 Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Wellington?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Krabi and Wellington.

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.

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Krabi or Wellington Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Krabi or Wellington.

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.

Wellington is a very kid-friendly town. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Krabi or Wellington Better for Couples?

Krabi is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington 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.

Wellington is a good town for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Krabi or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Wellington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow 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 Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Krabi is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Krabi is not popular with students.

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

Wellington 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 Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington 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.

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Wellington?

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

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

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

One day in Krabi or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the colorful town of Krabi, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wellington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this funky destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Krabi, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Wellington?

Krabi, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Krabi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the funky destination of Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington 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, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krabi is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wellington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.

Should I visit Krabi or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington 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, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 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 Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krabi is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Krabi is the dry season.

Should I visit Krabi or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Wellington. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Krabi