Planning a trip to Krabi? That’s awesome. But knowing approximately how much to take with you should also be a vital part of your plan. In this article, I’m going to cover how much money you need to take with you to Krabi. And to do so, we will have to take a look at how much it cost to get fed as well as how much it will take to get accommodation and also to get around the city to your preferred attractions.
How Much Money Should I take to Krabi?
If you live outside of Thailand, do note that depending on the visa you are carrying, the maximum amount of currency allowed in Thailand airports on arrival is 20,000 Thai Baht per family ($610.69), and 10,000 Thai Baht ($305) per person. That said, it cost around 76,914 Thai Baht ($2, 348) per person for a 7-day vacation to Krabi. For a family of four, it cost around 258,996 Thai Baht ($7906) and 138,102 Thai Baht ($4,217) per couple. The majority of Krabi hotels cost as much as 524 to 4,500 Thai Baht ($16 – $140) for a night and an average cost of 687.5 Thai Baht ($21). For an entire home setting, the majority of the accommodation establishments in Krabi set their prices between 3,601 to 18,000 Thai Baht ($110 – $550) for a night.
An average economic worldwide flight to Krabi’s airport can cost between 64,600 to 105,000 Thai Baht ($1975 – $3,203) per person, while first-class flights cost as much as 203,000 to 328,000 Thai Baht ($6,198 – $10,015). For transportation and patronizing local restaurants, we advise you to budget around 524 to 982 Thai Baht ($16 – $30) for a day and per person.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Krabi?
Due to the change in seasons, choosing the best time of the year to visit the city of Krabi may be a bit challenging, especially for first-time travelers. This is because the change in season greatly affects the activities and events during the holiday season. The high season which often begins from November to February is the best time to visit. It is at this time of the year when the weather in Krabi becomes favorable for all sorts of activities. However, the cheapest time to visit Krabi is during the low season which begins in May and ends in October. This time of the year is considered the low season because there’s always a reduction in activities as the weather becomes unfavorable. At this time of the year, the cost of accommodation is always at its lowest, the same goes for the cost of services offered by the local business due to the low number of visitors that come to Krabi at this time of the year. Furthermore, the cost of tours and activities is always at its lowest.
The Average Cost of Hotels in Krabi
To help you figure out how much might want to budget for an awesome trip to Krabi, here is a detailed analysis of the cost of hotels in the city of Krabi.
The average cost of hotels in Krabi is remarkably affordable as it cost around 1,000 Thai Baht ($32) per night. Do note that the city of Krabi is filled with lots of accommodation options, and as such, the prices vary. Also, the general neighborhood, type of room, services, and amenities are the factors that determine these prices. If you intend on spending a week in Krabi, you may want to set aside at least 7,400 Thai Baht ($227) for accommodation in a budget-friendly hotel.
The cost of spending a night in some of the top-rated hotels in Krabi is also affordable. On average, it cost 1,473 Thai Baht ($45). Be sure to be on the lookout for good deals, and check and compare prices on the websites of these hotels to make sure you get value off your next booking. For luxurious stays at some of the most luxurious hotels in Krabi, it cost an average of 3,600 Thai Baht ($110), however, some hotels do charge as low as 3,200 Thai Baht ($99). Examples of the top-rated hotels in Krabi are Baan Dinlamun, and Nakamanda Resort and Spa.
The average cost of mid-range hotels in Krabi is 800 Thai Baht ($27). However, the prices at some mid-range hotels can be as low as 750 Thai Baht ($23). Do not expect the rooms in these hotels to be of the same quality as that in luxurious hotels. However, one thing is certain, these mid-range hotels offer quality amenities. Examples of mid-range hotels in Krabi are Ploenlay and Phu Pha Ao Nang Resort & Spa.
Budget-friendly hotels are spread across every area of Krabi and they cost as low as 390 Thai Baht ($12) per night. These hotels have rooms that are either smaller in size or simply furnished and are nothing out of the ordinary. Examples of such hotels are Krabi Nemo House and Krabi Lighthouse at Ao Nang.
The Cost of Staying in The Best Neighborhoods in Krabi?
We have about 8 major neighborhoods in Krabi often filled with tourists and tourist-like activities. The majority of these neighborhoods are located on the mainland while a few of them can be seen offshore on islands. Each of these neighborhoods is unique in different ways but the majority of them do have something in common which is beaches. In this part of this article, we will go through some of the best neighborhoods in Krabi and highlight the cost of staying in these locations in terms of accommodation.
Railay
Also known as Rai Leh, is a small town that’s almost surrounded by water and can only be accessed by boat due to the large limestone cliffs that surround it. The majority of travelers who have been to Railay say the experience it offers is unbeaten, and this may have something to do with the fact that it only takes a boat to arrive at this destination.
Railay Central is occupied by four beautiful beaches that both visitors and locals can enjoy. The vibes around here are uplifting and hippie. Due to the absence of motorized transportation systems, occupants of this part of Krabi go about their daily activities on foot. Lots of restaurants, cafes, and restaurants do exist in Railay, but the majority of persons who flood here come to enjoy the low-key party atmosphere at sunset.
Although Railay has this remote feel to it, there exist lots of accommodation options to choose from. If you want to start booking, below are some of the best accommodation complexes in Railay.
Cheapest Hostels
- Glur Hostel – 525 Thai Baht ($16) per night.
- Chill Out Bar and Bungalow – 295 Thai Baht ($9) per night.
- Pop-in Hostel – 361 Thai Baht ($11) per night.
Budget-friendly hotels
- Ao Nang Home Stay – ($49) per night.
- Railay Garden View Resort – ($50) per night.
- Green View Village Resort – ($57) per night.
Mid-Range Hotels
- Ao Nang Villa Resort – ($87) per night.
- Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort – ($100) per night.
- Ban Sainai Resort – ($100) per night.
Luxurious Hotels
- Rayavadee Resort – ($1,100) per night.
Ao Nang
Being a major tourist town, Ao Nang is the most popular destination in Krabi and can be located south of the city. It is recognized as the “happening town” of Krabi and is famous for having a long beachfront at the Andaman Coast and perfect diving spots. Here, visitors can take on excursions to some of the most famous islands in the region (e.g Ko Hong, Chicken Island, Ko Gai) in longtail boats.
Thanks to the wide variety of activities and attractions, Ao Nang is often flooded by fun-seeking tourists, making it one of the most popular neighborhoods in Krabi. The highlights of this neighborhood include shops, cafes, bars, nightclubs, entertainment centers, and restaurants with international dining options.
Choosing a place to stay in Ao Nang is quite easy because there are lots of accommodation options. There exist apartment complexes, resorts, hotels, and hostels spread across town. Irrespective of what social stratification you belong to, there’ll always be accommodation options to choose from. Below are the best places to stay in Ao Nang.
Cheapest hotels/hostels
- Balcony Party Hostel – 320 Thai Baht ($10) per night.
- Wake Up Ao Nang Hotel – 524 Thai Baht ($16) per night.
- iRest Ao Nang Seafront – 556 Thai Baht ($17) per night.
- Sea World Guesthouse – 750 Thai Baht ($23) per night.
Budget-friendly hotels
- Nong Thale Mountain View – 1,000 Thai Baht ($31) per night.
- Coski Krabi – 1,500 Thai Baht ($46) per night.
- Ao Nang Top View – 1,000 Thai Baht ($31) per night.
- Whalecome Ao Nang Resort – 1,700 Thai Baht ($54) per night.
Mid-range Hotels
- Phra Nang Inn – 3,000 Thai Baht ($94) per night.
- Ao Nang Princeville Resort – 3,100 Thai Baht ($95) per night.
- The Palace Ao Nang – 1,300 Thai Baht ($41) per night.
Luxurious Hotels
- Irawan House – 22,300 Thai Baht ($682) per night.
- The Pano Hotel and Residence – cost not given.
- Andakiri Pool Villa – 6,200 Thai Baht ($190) per night.
Koh Phi Phi Island
This is an ideal destination for travelers who want to explore the nightlife in Krabi. Koh Phi Phi Island is among the most popular of its kind and is situated between 2 great tourist destinations; Phuket and Krabi. From either of these destinations, it takes just a few hours to arrive at Koh Phi Phi Island, and the only mode of transport to this island is by the use of a ferry or speedboat. On this island, there’s something in it for everyone, from limestone cliffs to powdery white beaches, and crystal clear waters.
This island often sees lots of tourist flooding in during the high and low seasons in Krabi, and as such, there’s a growing presence of accommodation establishments, shops, clubs, and bars. It also means that it can get quite crowded or busy around here. If this congestion isn’t a problem then you will love the nightlife or evenings around here because the more persons the more bustling and active the nightlife will get. This destination is also ideal for the younger generation because of the never-ending partying opportunities coupled with other activities such as sports and adventure.
Koh Phi Phi Island is also home to some of the best luxurious resorts in the region. However, the majority of these establishments are far from the happening parts of town, meaning they are secluded and have this laid-back atmosphere perfect for unwinding and some quiet time. Below are some of the best places to stay on Koh Phi Phi Island.
The cheapest hostels
- Chaokoh Phi Phi Resort – 690 Thai Baht ($21) per night.
- The Pier 519 Hostel – 490 Thai Baht ($15) per night.
- Rehab Hostel – 390 Thai Baht ($12) per night.
- Voyagers Hostel – 490 Thai Baht ($15) per night.
Budget-friendly Hotels
- Phi Phi Uphill Cottage – 1,800 Thai Baht ($55) per night.
- Chongkhao Resort – 1,140 Thai Baht ($35) per night.
- JJ Bungalow and Guest House – 1,200 Thai Baht ($37) per night.
- Panmanee Hotel – 1,900 Thai Baht ($58) per night.
Mid-range Hotels
- Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel – 4,800 Thai Baht ($146) per night.
- Phi Phi Harbour View Hotel – 5,100 Thai Baht ($156) per night.
- P.P. Maiyada Resort – 1,830 Thai Baht ($56) per night.
Luxurious Hotels
- Zeavola Resort – 13,500 Thai Baht ($414) per night.
- Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort – 9,300 Thai Baht ($283) per night.
- Villa 360 Resort – 8,900 Thai Baht ($272) per night.
The Cost of Transportation in Krabi
The modes of transportation in Krabi are the same as that in other cities in Thailand, they include local buses, motorcycle taxis, regular taxis, longtail boats, etc.
Local Buses
Also known as songthaew, they operate all through the day and are perfect for getting around Krabi and out of town. They do have fixed stops and particular routes, however, whenever you get to your destination and wherever that is, all you have to do is ring the buzzer. To get on one of these local buses will require waving or flagging whether you are at a bus stop or by the side of the road. Local buses en route to Krabi town from Ao Nang can cost as much as 50 Thai Baht per individual.
Motorcycle Taxis
This mode of transportation can be found in every corner of Krabi and is the most affordable way to get around town. Be sure to bargain before getting on any for better deals. In Klong Muang and Ao Nang, you will see tuk-tuks and sam lor that are ever ready to transport you to your favorite destinations for as low as 20 to 50 Thai Baht. You shouldn’t board motorcycle taxis that are heavily loaded with people as they are not very stable machines. It is better to be safe than sorry.
The Regular Taxis
Aside from motorcycle taxis, we also have regular taxis in the form of cars. For absolute comfort, you’d want to rent or hire a driver to move around town. Renting a car or hiring a driver in Krabi can cost as much as 2,500 Thai Baht for the whole day. For 600 Thai Baht, you can get a regular taxi to take you to Ao Nang from the airport, and 500 Thai Baht to Krabi Town. Taking taxis to nearby cities such as Phuket can cost as much as 2,500 Thai Baht. Be sure to check the boards at the bus stops for the prices of transporting to other destinations within Krabi. Do note that car taxis do not drive short distances around the beach areas.
Long Tail Boats
If you’d prefer spending most of your days out at sea then the traditional long-tail boats are your best option. They can be seen on the shores of nearly all the beaches on Krabi mainland, and are ideal for hopping from one island to another. You can also find ‘taxi boats’ en route to Railay Beach and Ton Sai from Ao Nang. Before departing the shores for any destination, sailors do wait for their boats to get filled with passengers. Usually, it takes about 6 to 8 passengers to fill one boat, however, the majority of the sailors wait till the passengers are up to 10 before departing. At Ao Nang, boat tickets are often sold on either corner of the beach in ticket booths. The cost of boarding these boats is non-negotiable as trips come with fixed prices. Be sure to take a look at the boards outside the ticket stations for these prices. Irrespective of what time of the year, the cost of these tickets remains the same, however, children traveling under the age of 12 are allowed free entry.
It costs as much as 100 Thai Baht per person for a one-way trip to Ton Sai, West Railay, Pai Plong, or Phra Nang Beach in a longtail boat. If visitors can’t wait for a boat to get filled, they’ll have to pay for the remaining seats or charter the entire boat. At sunset, the cost of boarding longtail boats increases to around 150 Thai Baht per person for a one-way trip. Also, it cost as much as 300 Thai Baht per person to board a returning ticket from Ao Nang to Poda, Tub, or Chicken Island, and it requires a minimum of 6 persons for the boat to depart. If you do not wish to share rides with anybody you will be required to pay for the entire boat
Conclusion
It does not require breaking the bank to visit the city of Krabi. Irrespective of what social class you belong to, you can visit and have the best experiences in Krabi. There are comfortable accommodation establishments around this wonderful city with prices ranging from $10 to $500. If you intend of going on a budget-friendly vacation, you may want to stay away from the fancy restaurant, and only resort to roadside food vendors.
