A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Phuket vs. Krabi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Phuket or Krabi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Krabi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.

Krabi

Thailand is covered in beaches, but if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to Krabi, also known as "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. 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.

Which city is cheaper, Krabi or Phuket?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $82, while the average daily cost in Krabi is $41. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Phuket and Krabi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phuket $45
    Krabi $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $90
    Krabi $50

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phuket $8.03
    Krabi $3.66
Typical Local Transportation prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $8.19
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $6.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • Transfer from Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport: $43
  • Transfer from Phuket Hotel to Phi Phi Island: $25
  • Transfer from Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotel: $43
  • Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel: $50
  • Private Van: Phuket Airport Transfers: $38
  • Private Transfer: Van Charter incl Airport Pick Up or Drop Off: $92
  • Private Transfer from Phuket to Krabi with 2h of Sightseeing: $91
  • Private Transfer from Phuket City to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $62
  • Private Transfer from Mai Khao Beach to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $62
  • Private Transfer from Bang Tao Beach to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $62
  • Private Phuket Point To Point Transfer Services by Minivan: $58
  • Private Car: Phuket Airport Departure Transfer: $35

Typical Local Transportation prices in Krabi

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.19
  • Short Tuk-Tuk Ride
    $2.73
  • 2 Bottles of Gasoline
    $2.18
  • Longboat Taxi from Town
    $5.46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi

Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ferry Transfer Phuket To/From Phi Phi: $16
  • Krabi Airport: Private Transfers to/from Hotels in Koh Lanta: $87
  • Ferry Transfer To/From Koh Phi Phi with Van Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer To/From Khao Sok Area: $141
  • Phuket: Speedboat Transfer To/From Ko Phi Phi Don: $31
  • Private Departure Transfer from Krabi Town to KBV Krabi Airport: $19
  • Private Round Trip Transfer between Krabi Town and KBV Krabi Airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Krabi City to Krabi (KBV) Airport: $41
  • Private Transfer from Krabi to Phuket with 2h of Sightseeing: $91
  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Krabi?

Prices for flights to both Krabi and Phuket 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Phuket $16
    Krabi $10
Typical Food prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $7.89
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.64
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.46
  • Bananas
    $0.68
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $8.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.

  • Private Authentic Thai Cooking Class in a Family Home in Phuket: $60
  • Phuket Old Town 15-Taster Food Tour: $63
  • Siam Niramit w/ Ticket+ Buffet Dinner + Transfer: $63
  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class including Lunch from Khao Lak: $65
  • Phuket FantaSea: Show with Dinner and Transfers: $75
  • Phijittra Uniqueness Sailing Sunset Dinner Cruise: $79
  • Phuket Cooking Course with Sightseeing Tour plus Kata Local Market (Full Day): $101
  • Dinner Buffet Cruise in Phuket: $109
  • James Bond Island Trip on Luxury Boat & lunch buffet, dinner, water activities: $153
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise on board a beautiful: $204

Typical Food prices in Krabi

For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.83
  • Drinks on the Beach
    $6.55
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $17
  • Nice Dinner (for Two)
    $30
  • Mango Shake
    $1.37
  • Pad Thai
    $2.73
  • Fruit from the Market
    $1.64
  • Pancakes
    $2.73
  • Coffee & Cake
    $2.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi

For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private 4-Island Sunset Tour with Dinner: $721

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $34
    Krabi $8.14
Typical Entertainment prices in Phuket

Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • One Day Boat Tour
    $25
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $68
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $17
  • Surfboard Rental
    $8.19

Tours and Activities in Phuket

Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Coral and Racha Islands Speedboat Snorkeling Tour from Phuket: $73
  • DAY TRIP - JOIN TOUR Coral Island Phuket by Sailing Catamaran Yacht: $155
  • Early Bird Small Group - Phi Phi Islands Sunrise Tour with Seaview Lunch Buffet: $106
  • Fishing Live Aboard Cruise to the Similan Islands: $7,338
  • Fishing Live Aboard Cruise to the Surin Islands: $7,338
  • Flying Hanuman Phuket Tour: $119
  • Flying Hanuman Ziplining Experience: $83
  • Flying Trapeze Adventure in Phuket: $21
  • From 4-Day Tropical Island Cruise - Suwan Macha: $1,328
  • From Deluxe Phi Phi Tour by Speedboat & Lunch Buffet: $87
  • From Full-Day Coral Island Tour & Sea Walking: $79
  • From Phang Nga Adventure Tour with Zipline: $70

Typical Entertainment prices in Krabi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Thai-English Book
    $9.01
  • Thai Massages (for Two)
    $22
  • Bikini & Sarong
    $16
  • Yoga Class (1 Hour)
    $12
  • Backgammon Set (travel size)
    $6.83
  • Kayak Trip (for Two)
    $52

Tours and Activities in Krabi

For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Ko Lanta: Mangrove Kayaking Half-Day Tour: $36
  • ATV Adventure: $39
  • Hong Islands Boat Tour with Panorama Viewpoint: $41
  • Private Sunset Boat Trip and Night Market Tour: $44
  • Koh Hong Sunset Tour with Beach BBQ and Night Snorkel: $52
  • Krabi 4 Island Tour By Speed Boat From Krabi: $54
  • From Koh Phi Phi: Island Hopping and Snorkeling Tour: $55
  • Kayaking Tour to Ao Thueak Lagoon with Lunch: $56
  • Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with Lae Nai Lagoon and Lunch: $56
  • Half-Day Zip Line Adventure: $58
  • Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with Nai Nang Village & Lunch: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $5.09
    Krabi $3.48
Typical Alcohol prices in Phuket

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Beer
    $2.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl Tour: $31

Typical Alcohol prices in Krabi

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.46
  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $8.19

About these numbers

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

Budget Your Trip

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Phuket vs. Krabi Travel Comparison

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