A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Deqin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ao Nang or Deqin?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Deqin? 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 Deqin?

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.

Deqin

Highly influenced by Tibet, Deqin is both a county and a town located in the Hengduanshan Mountains of China's Yunnan province. Most people visit the area as a home base from which to hike into the surrounding mountains, though the temples and traditional villages also add to the allure of the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Deqin or Ao Nang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $131, while the average daily cost in Deqin is $80. 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 Deqin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ao Nang $50
    Deqin $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ao Nang $100
    Deqin $76
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Deqin

Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Deqin? 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.

Hotels in Ao Nang


Hotels in Deqin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ao Nang $62
    Deqin $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang

Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $34
  • Ferry Transfer from Aonang To Phuket (Rassada Pier): $39
  • Ferry Transfer from Koh PhiPhi to Ao Nang: $28
  • From Ao Nang (Krabi): Private To Phuket (Phuket) Transfer: $86
  • From Kayaking at Klong Rud with Hotel Transfers: $27
  • From Krabi: Private Taxi Transfer to Phuket: $120
  • Klong Rud Kayaking with Hotel Transfer: $29
  • Koh Lanta :Speedboat Transfer from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi: $30
  • Krabi : Muay Thai Live Fight Experience with Transfer: $55
  • Krabi ATV Extreme Experience with Transfer and Adventure: $31
  • Krabi ATV Jungle Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $37
  • Krabi: 4 Islands Speed Catamaran Tour with Lunch/Transfers: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Deqin?

Prices for flights to both Deqin 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ao Nang $47
    Deqin $29

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: Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Local Chef: $37
  • Authentic Thai Local Cooking Class: $38
  • Half-Day Thai Cooking Class Krabi Province: $39
  • 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Dinner & Snorkeling: $40
  • Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour by Longtail Boat & BBQ Dinner: $43
  • Krabi: Hong Island Cruise with Thai Buffet Dinner: $45
  • From Ao Nang Hong Island Longtail Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $49
  • Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $51
  • Krabi: Romantic Beachfront Sunset Dinner: $64
  • Krabi: Ao Thalane Sunset Kayaking & BBQ Dinner: $110
  • Local Krabi: Cooking Demo, Market Walk, Bamboo Raft & Fruit: $133

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ao Nang $12
    Deqin $13

Tours and Activities in Ao Nang

For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • From Phi Phi : Splash & Explore – Half-Day Tour By longtail: $17
  • Krabi: South Kayak Klong Root Kayaking Tour: $17
  • Krabi kayaking and swimming clongrood Tour: $21
  • Krabi: On The Hill Off-Road ATV Adventure 30 Minute: $22
  • Krabi: 4 Island Snorkeling Tour: $24
  • From Krabi: Blue Dragon Cabaret Ticket Dazzling Night: $24
  • Krabi: 4 Islands One-Day Premium Speedboat Tour lunch: $25
  • FERRY TICKET PHUKET - AONANG - PHIPHI: $25
  • Krabi: Iconic 4 Islands Day Tour by Longtail Boat with Lunch: $27
  • Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $27
  • Krabi: Saitai Mountain Tail ATV Adventure: $27
  • Krabi: Jurassic Trails ATV Ride & Kayaking Tour: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ao Nang $17
    Deqin $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Ao Nang

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ao Nang:

  • K-Bunk Pub Crawl - The Best Bars in Ao Nang in One Night!: $1.20
  • Krabi: Summer Club Pub Crawl with Fire Show: $15
  • Krabi Pub Crawl - Join Nomads For The Best Night in Ao Nang!: $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Deqin, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Deqin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Deqin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Deqin 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 Deqin.

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 Deqin Expensive?.