A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Atami for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Ao Nang or Atami?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is a popular, beachfront, and lively town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Atami?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ao Nang. Although Ao Nang and Atami are both popular with visitors, Ao Nang has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ao Nang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty, while Atami is known for its museums & sights. Ao Nang is more touristy than Atami and is known for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. It is also home to the Island Boat Tours. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Ao Nang different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Ao Nang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ao Nang or Atami?

Atami is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Ao Nang is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Ao Nang offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most of the fun of this town is the beach setting and easy access to natural beauty. If you're looking for a temple, you can check out nearby Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cavee Temple).

Is the Food Better in Ao Nang or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ao Nang and Atami offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Ao Nang is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of restaurants that are vying for your business. The food is the typical Thai cuisine as well as international options like pizza and burgers.

Atami offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Ao Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. It has some of the best nightlife in the province of Krabi. There are many bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink and enjoy a fun night out.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

In Ao Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Ao Nang is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ao Nang and Atami are good choices.

Ao Nang is a good option for a beach vacation. Ao Nang Beach is the most popular beach near town. It is lined with longtail boats and there's often a crowd that keeps things busy and chaotic. Noppharat Thara Beach is popular with the locals and sees less tourists than Ao Nang Beach. It has golden sand and a beautiful setting.

Many people head to Atami to enjoy the beach. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Atami?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Ao Nang and Atami.

Ao Nang has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Atami is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ao Nang or Atami.

Ao Nang is a family-friendly town. The sandy beaches are great for kids. This is also a nice base if you want to take day trips to Railay Beach and other nearby areas.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ao Nang and Atami make for a good place to visit.

Ao Nang is a good town for couples to visit. The area is filled with amazing natural beauty and stunning beaches. You can use Ao Nang as a base for exploring the many impressive areas that aren't far away.

Atami is a nice destination for couples. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Ao Nang. There are hostels and budget accommodation in abundance in the area. Ao Nang also has some of the best nightlife in Krabi, which attracts a younger crowd.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Ao Nang or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Ao Nang and Atami.

Ao Nang has some public transit options. Tuk tuks or renting a motorbike are your best bet for reaching places quickly.

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Ao Nang or Atami a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Ao Nang is a very walkable town. It's a small town, so most places can be reached on foot.

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Ao Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ao Nang or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ao Nang than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ao Nang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

Families should spend more time in Ao Nang than Atami. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ao Nang, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ao Nang than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ao Nang that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ao Nang than Atami if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ao Nang.

One day in Ao Nang or Atami?

In Ao Nang, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this beachfront destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Atami, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ao Nang or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ao Nang. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Atami, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Atami?

Ao Nang is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Ao Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Atami is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ao Nang or Atami?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the accessible destination of Ao Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Atami, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang than you might in Atami.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Atami?

Atami has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Atami, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Atami during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Atami. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Ao Nang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Atami. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Atami. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang. August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Atami in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Atami during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Atami. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Atami in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Atami. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Atami. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Ao Nang