Should you visit Ao Nang or Bangkok?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Bangkok? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Which city is cheaper, Bangkok or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $100, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $68. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Ao Nang and Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $96 in Ao Nang For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Bangkok is $74. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Ao Nang food costs typically run travelers around $23 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The average traveler spends about $16 per day in Bangkok for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Ao Nang $23
Bangkok $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Evening Couse Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi:
$39
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Krabi 7 Islands Sunset with Luminescent Plankton Swim & BBQ Dinner:
$41
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Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi:
$43
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Krabi 4 Island & Sunset Tour By Long Tail Boat + Dinner:
$49
-
Krabi 4 Islands Sunset Cruise Dinner:
$70
-
Romantic Sunset Cruise from Ao Nang with BBQ Seafood Dinner:
$100
Typical Food prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
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Silom Village Authentic Thai Dinner and Performance Ticket:
$17
-
Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet:
$23
-
Luxurious Afternoon Tea or Dinner at the Erawan Tea Rooms:
$26
-
Skip the Line: Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner:
$26
-
Bangkok Thai Classical Dance with Thai Set Dinner Ticket:
$27
-
Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Tour With Optional Dinner.:
$31
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Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show With Optional Dinner & Transfers:
$31
-
2-Hour Dinner & Shows on White Orchid River Cruise:
$32
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Skip the Line:Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Ticket w/(optional) Dinner &Transfers:
$32
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Bangkok Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River:
$34
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Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River in Bangkok (Optional Transfers):
$34
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Bangkok White Orchid Dinner Cruise:
$34
Local Transportation
Ao Nang's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $52 per person, per day on transportation in Ao Nang.
The cost of a taxi ride in Bangkok is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $4.60 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bangkok.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer:
$111
-
Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer:
$99
-
Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer:
$99
-
Aonang any hotel to Khao Lak Private transfer:
$110
-
Aonang any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer:
$107
-
Aonang any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer:
$23
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Ferry Transfer Between Koh Phi Phi To Phuket:
$25
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Full Day Jungle Tour With Elephan Trekking 30 Minutes + Tiger Cave + Transfers:
$73
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Krabi Transfer to Khao Lak:
$117
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Krabi airport to Aonang any hotel Private transfer:
$23
-
Phuket Airport to Krabi City or Hotel Private Transfer:
$119
-
Private Departure Transfer : Krabi Hotel to Krabi Airport:
$21
Typical Local Transportation prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
-
oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin:
$85
-
VIP Bus Transfers between Bangkok and Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok Hotel:
$45
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Rayong Province:
$99
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya:
$68
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Koh Chang:
$150
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin:
$85
-
Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Bangkok city:
$31
-
Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport:
$34
-
Transfer from Bangkok Hotel to Suvarnabhumi Airport:
$45
-
Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Bangkok Hotel by Deluxe Vehicle:
$135
-
Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park:
$85
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Ao Nang can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $10 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Bangkok typically cost an average of $13 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Krabi 4 island tour:
$19
-
Skip the Line: Blue Dragon Cabaret Show Ticket:
$24
-
Krabi: Blue Dragon Cabaret Show Ticket:
$24
-
Krabi Hong Island tour:
$25
-
Krabi jungle Tour (Emerald pool,Hot spring waterfall, Tiger cave):
$31
-
Krabi - One Day Phi Phi Island Tour By Speed Boat:
$36
-
Deep mangrove and canyon Kayak Tour in Krabi:
$36
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Krabi - 5 Island Tour by Big Boat:
$37
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Krabi Rainforest Discovery Tour with lunch:
$39
-
White Water Rafting Adventure - 5km in Phang Nga bay:
$39
-
Tour James Bond Island from Krabi:
$41
-
Aonang wonder Cocktail testing tour:
$41
Typical Entertainment prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket
$5.12
-
Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
$1.60
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
$6.40
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Club Cover Charge
$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
$77
-
Fish Pedicure
$4.80
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Wat Pho entrance ticket
$3.20
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Siriraj Museum (2)
$13
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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"Phra Nakorn Khiri and Kui Buri adventure in 1 day" (Private trip):
$322
-
"Two Day one Night for River Kwai Adventure" (Private):
$442
-
04 DAYS CENTRAL HIGHLIGHTS - Joint Tour:
$692
-
1-day Bangkok Old Town Tuk Tuk Tour - Sawasdee Tuk Tuk:
$102
-
10 Hours Private Tour Ayuttaya:
$140
-
11-Day Thailand Tour to Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket:
$2,921
-
12-Day Tour Through Cambodia from Bangkok to Saigon:
$1,165
-
2 Days Private Tour To Ayutthaya' World Heritage Site:
$428
-
2-Day River Kwai Experience from Bangkok:
$262
-
2-Day River Kwai Floathouse Experience from Bangkok:
$346
-
2-Day River Kwai Jungle Rafts Experience from Bangkok:
$231
-
2-Day River Kwai and Kanchanaburi Tour from Bangkok:
$228
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Ao Nang spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bangkok may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.63 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
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4-Hour Sukhumvit Bar Crawl:
$7.50
-
4-Hour Thonglor Bar Crawl:
$20
-
Guided Bar Crawl:
$21
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From Khao Yai Wine Tasting by Bike:
$359
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Bangkok, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.
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