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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Hobart?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hobart? 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 lively, accessible, and popular town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Hobart

Hobart is a historical, charming, and fascinating city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Hobart?

Both Hobart and Ao Nang have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Ao Nang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Hobart is known for its museums & sights, food, hiking, and shopping. Ao Nang is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Hobart is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails.

How is Ao Nang different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hobart offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

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 Hobart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Hobart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

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 Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Ao Nang for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hobart. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Ao Nang or Hobart Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is great for its luxury resorts. However, Hobart is not a resort destination.

In Ao Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Hobart is not a resort destination.

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

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

Ao Nang is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a town with good options for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Ao Nang. 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.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Ao Nang or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Hobart 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 Hobart. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Hobart?

Hobart is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Hobart. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Ao Nang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Is Ao Nang or Hobart Better for Families?

Hobart 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 Hobart. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

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 Hobart Better for Couples?

Hobart is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Hobart makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

Ao Nang is a nice destination for couples. 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.

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

Ao Nang is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

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

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

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 Hobart, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Ao Nang or Hobart a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Hobart are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Ao Nang is a very walkable destination. It's a small town, so most places can be reached on foot.

Hobart is very walkable. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Hobart?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Hobart than Ao Nang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hobart that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ao Nang than Hobart 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 Hobart?

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

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 Hobart, 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 Hobart has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Hobart?

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.

Hobart 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 Hobart?

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 Hobart. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hobart. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Hobart, we can see that Hobart 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 Hobart 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart 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 Hobart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Hobart?

Hobart has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Hobart, 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 Hobart?

Hobart 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 Hobart in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Hobart. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Hobartin January. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives less sunshine than Hobart during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Hobartin January. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hobart in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Hobart. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Hobart in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in April.

In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hobartin April. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Hobartin April. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hobart in the Winter?

Both Hobart and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.

In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Hobart averages at about 9°C (47°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Hobartin July. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hobart in the Spring?

Both Hobart and Ao Nang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Hobartin October. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Hobart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Hobartin October. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in April than Hobartin October. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Ao Nang