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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Darwin?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Darwin? 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 accessible, popular, and beachfront town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Ao Nang and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Darwin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ao Nang. Although Ao Nang and Darwin 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 Darwin is known for its museums & sights and hiking. Ao Nang is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. It is also home to the Island Boat Tours. Darwin is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Ao Nang different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Darwin 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 Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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 Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ao Nang and Darwin 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.

Darwin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Ao Nang or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Ao Nang has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Ao Nang or Darwin Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is notable for its resorts. However, Darwin is not a resort destination.

Ao Nang is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Darwin is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Ao Nang to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Darwin Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ao Nang and Darwin 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 Darwin to enjoy the beach. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Ao Nang or Darwin Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Darwin?

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

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.

Darwin is a great destination for shopping. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Ao Nang or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin 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 Darwin. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin Better for Couples?

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

Darwin is a nice destination for couples. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

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

Ao Nang is notable for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ao Nang is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Darwin is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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

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

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 Darwin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Ao Nang or Darwin a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable town. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Darwin?

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ao Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Darwin, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Darwin?

Ao Nang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Ao Nang or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ao Nang. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beachfront destination of Ao Nang. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 3-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Ao Nang and Darwin, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ao Nang is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Darwin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Darwin?

Darwin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Darwin. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Darwinin January. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin 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. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Ao Nang usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 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.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In April, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 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 Darwinin October. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Ao Nang