Krabi vs Koh Samui
The short answer
Krabi is the cheaper trip, by roughly 27% a day — $25–60 against $30–75 mid-range per person. Both are at their best in Dec–Apr, so one trip can take in both.
Side by side
Mid-range, per person, in US dollars. Both guides were costed the same way — see how we work these out.
| 🇹🇭 Krabi | 🇹🇭 Koh Samui | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budgetmid-range, per person | $25–60cheaper | $30–75 |
| Cheap meallocal staple | $1.50–3 | $1.50–3 |
| Mid-range hotelper night | $35–80cheaper | $50–115 |
| Transit ridesingle trip | $1–3 | $1–4 |
| Avg. monthly salarylocal, for context | ≈ $400 | ≈ $480 |
When to go
Filled months are the ones each guide recommends; hollow ones it warns off.
What you'd actually do
A few of each guide's picks, one per category before seconds — the full lists are on the guides themselves.
🇹🇭 Krabi
Limestone cliffs plunging straight into turquoise water, a rock-climbing mecca reachable only by longtail boat, and a slower, less-built-up alternative to Phuket just across the bay.
- Reggae Bar$Nightlife
- Krua Thara$$Restaurants
- Chill Out Bar$Beach bars
- Bamboo Bar$Nightlife
- Lae Lay Grill$$Restaurants
🇹🇭 Koh Samui
Thailand's second-biggest island, and its most polished — coconut groves giving way to resort strips, a golden Big Buddha watching over the northeast coast, and an easy, no-boat-required flight straight in.
- Ark Bar$$Beach clubs
- The Shack$$Restaurants
- Green Mango$$Nightlife
- Nikki Beach$$$Beach clubs
- 2 Fishes$$Restaurants
Practicalities
| Krabi | Koh Samui | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Thai. English is solid in Ao Nang and Railay's tourist strip, thinner in Krabi Town and the islands. | Thai. English is widespread in Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai; thinner in the interior. |
| Tap water | Don't drink it — bottled water is sold everywhere | Don't drink it — bottled water is sold everywhere, often free at hotels |
The same in both:
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿). US$1 ≈ ฿35
- Time zone
- ICT (UTC+7)
- Power
- 220V; outlets take most two-pin plugs (A/C hybrids)
- Emergency
- 191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (English)