Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Islamabad?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $107Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $107, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Islamabad? 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $56Islamabad $7.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Krabi to Phuket: $105
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $41
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $41
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $31
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $23
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 $24Islamabad $15
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: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $39
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $40
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $46
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $50
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $11Islamabad $9.48
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV adventure 1hour drive: $43
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $27
- ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $35
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $57
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $27
- From Hong Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $32
- From Phi Phi Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $46
- From Private Gondola Cruise with Lunch and Picnic: $59
- From Krabi: James Bond Island One-Day Tour by Speedboat: $123
- Half-Day Krabi Four Islands Tour with Amazing long-tail Boat: $88
- James Bond Island: Sightseeing Tour by Longtail Boat & Kayak: $42
- Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $32
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad City Tour : $150
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $15Islamabad $2.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Islamabad, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
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 Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Islamabad?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Islamabad, 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 Islamabad?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Islamabad. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Ao Nang is cooler than Islamabad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ao Nang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Islamabad averages at about 32°C (90°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives less sunshine than Islamabad during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Islamabad in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Islamabad. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets less sunshine than Islamabad. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 287 hours of full sun.
Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Islamabad. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Islamabad in the Winter?
Both Islamabad 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.
Ao Nang is much warmer than Islamabad in the winter. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Islamabad during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Islamabad in the Spring?
Both Islamabad 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 the spring, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ao Nang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Islamabad averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Islamabad. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 258 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 Islamabad. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.