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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Canberra?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Canberra? 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Canberra?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Canberra. Although Ao Nang and Canberra are both popular with visitors, Canberra has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Canberra is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Ao Nang is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Ao Nang is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also home to the Australian War Memorial.

How is Ao Nang different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Canberra 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 Canberra?

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

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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 Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Canberra has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Ao Nang offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Ao Nang has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

Ao Nang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Ao Nang. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a popular place for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Canberra is a good destination for hiking. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Canberra?

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

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.

Canberra is a great destination for shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Families?

Canberra is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Canberra. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ao Nang. 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.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ao Nang and Canberra 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.

Canberra is a nice destination for couples. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

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

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options 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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Ao Nang is not popular with students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Ao Nang is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Ao Nang or Canberra a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra 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.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable town. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ao Nang and Canberra. In our opinion, Ao Nang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ao Nang than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ao Nang than Canberra. 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 Canberra 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 Canberra?

The town of Ao Nang offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Canberra, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Ao Nang or Canberra?

Ao Nang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ao Nang, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Canberra, 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 Canberra has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Canberra?

Ao Nang is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Canberra 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 Canberra?

Ao Nang is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Canberra. 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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Ao Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ao Nang is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ao Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ao Nang 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Ao Nang.

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 Canberra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Canberra, 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 Canberra?

Canberra 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 Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra 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, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In July, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Canberrain January. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Canberra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in April.

Canberra 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 Canberrain April. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 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 Canberra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Canberrain July. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Canberra. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Canberrain October. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Ao Nang