How much spending money should you bring to Krabi?
The only unit of currency accepted in Thailand is the Thai Baht, available in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 (notes) and 10, 5, 2 and 1 (coins). If you shop at larger stores you may also get copper-coloured “satang” coins in values of 25 and 50 satang (1/4 and 1/2 baht respectively) in your change – these have little value and generally cannot be used unless in the same stores.
It is best to exchange money once you are here as rates for buying foreign currency here are far better than those for buying Thai Baht abroad. This also applies to traveller’s cheques cashed on Thai soil. Currency exchange booths in Krabi accept cash and travellers’ cheques in most denominations: dollars, euros and sterling being the most popular. Check the current Thai Baht onshore exchange rates at the bottom of this page.
ATMs are another option for withdrawing cash in local currency as you need it from your bank account at home. Machines are widely available in Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Railay; however, offshore and in more remote areas you may have problems finding one.
Krabi is slightly more expensive than other areas in Thailand; however prices in general are much, much lower than in the West. So how much spending money to bring? This depends on how active you are planning on being: by far the greatest expense you will encounter here are the sightseeing tours and/ or daily transport rental (car, boat). For specific tours, you can do a price check here on all the common itineraries.
Another factor to consider is whether you will be eating mainly local or imported food – western food is considerably more expensive than Thai. Below we list some average prices to help you plan your budget:
| Half-day kayaking trip | 600 / person |
| Full-day temple / jungle trip | 1200 / person |
| Speedboat island tour (Phi Phi) | 1200 / person |
| Longtail boat island tour | 500 / person |
| Thai massage 1 hr (beach) | 250 – 300 |
| Thai massage 1 hr (spa) | 700 – 900 |
| Thai one-dish meal in local restaurant | 50 – 80 / dish |
| Thai one-dish meal in tourist restaurant | 120 – 150 / dish |
| Pizza | 180 – 280 / 12″ pizza |
| Steak | 600 – 800 / dish |
| Special occasion meal | up to 1500 / person |
| Bottled water (supermarket) | 7 – 10 / 500ml |
| Coffee | 40 – 80 / cup |
| Local bottled beer (bar) | 70 – 100 / 330ml |
| Imported beer (bar) | 120 – 180 / 330ml |
| Bottled beer (supermarket) | 30 – 50 / 330ml |
| Longtail boat rental (one day, per boat) | 2200 / boat + driver |
| 4WD car rental (one day, per car) | 1200 / unlimited mileage |
| Scooter / moped rental (one day, per motorbike) | 250 / 125cc / unlimited mileage |
| One litre of petrol (gasohol) | 30 |
| Moto-taxi around Ao Nang | 30 / person |
Don’t forget, though, that shopping opportunities here are endless, so do bring some extra cash for all those unexpected items you won’t be able to resist!