Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun? 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 Hongcun?
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.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $121Hongcun $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $121, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $54. 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 Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $58Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $116Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Hongcun? 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 $63Hongcun $12
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 Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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 $28Hongcun $19
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
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.96
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Hongcun $18
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $17Hongcun $15
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 Hongcun, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
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 Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Hongcun?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Hongcun. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Hongcun in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 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)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun 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.
In the autumn, Ao Nang is a little warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun averages at about 19°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 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)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the winter. In January, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 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)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
Ao Nang is much warmer than Hongcun in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.