Comparison · Ha Long Bay vs Krabi · Vietnam / Thailand
Ha Long Bay vs Krabi
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Taewangkorea, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Ha Long Bay for Limestone karsts, Overnight cruises and a short break; choose Krabi for Railay Beach, Limestone karsts, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. Krabi is generally less expensive, and the two are about 1,680 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,680 km
- Less expensive
- Krabi
- Best time for Ha Long Bay
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for Krabi
- December–March
Side by side
| Ha Long Bay | Krabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Vietnam | Thailand |
| Known for | Limestone karsts, Overnight cruises and Sea caves | Railay Beach, Limestone karsts and Island-hopping |
| Best time to visit | April–May and October–November | December–March |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $100–$220 | $70–$150 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | March, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 20°C (68°F) | September, 31°C (88°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 2 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | Cat Co beaches | Railay West |
| Airports | HAN, VDO | KBV, HKT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Ha Long Bay for…
Limestone karsts, Overnight cruises and a short break. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO-listed seascape of roughly 1,600 limestone islands and islets in Quang Ninh province, about 160 km east of Hanoi. Most visitors see it from a boat: day cruises and overnight junks leave Bai Chay and Tuan Chau for caves, kayaking…
Choose Krabi for…
Railay Beach, Limestone karsts, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. Krabi province on Thailand's Andaman coast is a landscape of sheer limestone karsts rising from turquoise water, mangroves and more than 100 islands. Most visitors base themselves at Ao Nang, the main beach resort, or on the car-free Railay peninsula…
Top sights compared
| # | Ha Long Bay | Krabi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight bay cruise | Railay Beach |
| 2 | Sung Sot Cave | Phra Nang Cave Beach |
| 3 | Ti Top Island | Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Leh |
| 4 | Luon Cave kayaking | Four Islands tour |
| 5 | Thien Cung Cave | Hong Islands |
Food compared
| Ha Long Bay | Krabi |
|---|---|
| Ha Long squid cake | Gaeng som |
| Rice rolls with squid cake | Gaeng tai pla |
| Mantis shrimp | Khua kling |
| Ngán clams | Khao mok gai |
Which is cheaper?
Krabi is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $100–$220 in Ha Long Bay (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Krabi on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,680 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Ha Long Bay or Krabi cheaper?
Krabi is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $100–$220 (estimates).
+Is Ha Long Bay or Krabi better for a first trip?
Pick Ha Long Bay for Limestone karsts, Overnight cruises and a short break, or Krabi for Railay Beach, Limestone karsts, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife.
+How far is Ha Long Bay from Krabi?
About 1,680 km in a straight line.