Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Benxi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Benxi? 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.
Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Benxi?
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.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $121Benxi $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $121, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $97. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ao Nang and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $58Benxi $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $116Benxi $96
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Benxi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ao Nang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $63Benxi $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $20
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $20
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $24
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $24
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $26
- Krabi: Ao Nang To/From Phi Phi By Fast Speed Boat Transfer: $27
- Krabi ATV Extreme Experience with Transfer and Adventure: $28
- One way Private transfer from Krabi airport to Ao Nang: $33
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $34
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $45
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $45
- Ko Lanta: Speed Boat Transfer Direct to Aonang: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Ao Nang change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAo Nang $28Benxi $31
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:
- Krabi: 7-Island Sunset & Dinner - Join tour by Longtail boat: $42
- Krabi: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $43
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $45
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $52
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $56
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Benxi $7.50
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Krabi: South Kayak Klong Root Kayaking Tour: $17
- Krabi ATV adventure drive 30mins: $24
- Krabi kayaking and swimming clongrood Tour: $25
- Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $27
- Krabi 4 Island One Day Tour by Speed boat or Longtail boat: $27
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $30
- Krabi: Saitai Mountain Tail ATV Adventure: $30
- Krabi: ATV adventure and extreme: $30
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $30
- Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $35
- Krabi: Tiger Cave, Hot Springs and Emerald Pool Jungle Tour: $36
- ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $17Benxi $7.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Ao Nang
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ao Nang:
- Guided Bar Crawl with Shots and a T-Shirt: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Benxi, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Benxi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Benxi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Benxi 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 Benxi.
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 Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Benxi?
Benxi has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Benxi, 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 Benxi?
Benxi 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 Benxi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Benxi. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Benxi. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Benxi. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Benxi. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Benxi in the Autumn?
Both Benxi and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.
Ao Nang is much warmer than Benxi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Benxi. Ao Nang usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Benxi. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Benxi in the winter. In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi averages at about -10°C (14°F).
It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Benxi. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun.
Ao Nang usually gets more rain in January than Benxi. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Benxi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.
Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Benxi. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.