A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Ao Nang vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan?

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.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

Which city is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Ao Nang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $95, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $41. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ao Nang and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ao Nang $46
    Koh Pha Ngan $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ao Nang $92
    Koh Pha Ngan $42
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan


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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 and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ao Nang $50
    Koh Pha Ngan $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang

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

  • Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $111
  • Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $99
  • Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $99
  • Aonang any hotel to Khao Lak Private transfer: $110
  • Aonang any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $107
  • Aonang any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $23
  • Ferry Transfer Between Koh Phi Phi To Phuket: $25
  • Full Day Jungle Tour With Elephan Trekking 30 Minutes + Tiger Cave + Transfers: $73
  • Krabi Transfer to Khao Lak: $117
  • Krabi airport to Aonang any hotel Private transfer: $23
  • Krabi to Phuket: Private City Transfer: $107
  • Phuket Airport to Krabi City or Hotel Private Transfer: $119

Typical Local Transportation prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $9.15
  • Ferry Ride
    $15
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.36

Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $22
    Koh Pha Ngan $9.17

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:

  • Evening Couse Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $39
  • Krabi 7 Islands Sunset with Luminescent Plankton Swim & BBQ Dinner: $41
  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $43
  • Krabi 4 Island & Sunset Tour By Long Tail Boat + Dinner: $49
  • Krabi 4 Islands Sunset Cruise Dinner: $70
  • Romantic Sunset Cruise from Ao Nang with BBQ Seafood Dinner: $100

Typical Food prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.22
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.22
  • Ice Cream
    $0.61
  • Juice
    $1.83
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.92
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ao Nang $9.76
    Koh Pha Ngan $15

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 4 island tour: $19
  • Skip the Line: Blue Dragon Cabaret Show Ticket: $24
  • Krabi: Blue Dragon Cabaret Show Ticket: $24
  • Krabi Hong Island tour: $25
  • Krabi jungle Tour (Emerald pool,Hot spring waterfall, Tiger cave): $31
  • Krabi - One Day Phi Phi Island Tour By Speed Boat: $36
  • Deep mangrove and canyon Kayak Tour in Krabi: $36
  • Krabi - 5 Island Tour by Big Boat: $37
  • Krabi Rainforest Discovery Tour with lunch: $39
  • White Water Rafting Adventure - 5km in Phang Nga bay: $39
  • Tour James Bond Island from Krabi: $41
  • Aonang wonder Cocktail testing tour: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ao Nang $13
    Koh Pha Ngan $8.85

Typical Alcohol prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $7.93

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Both destinations experience a warmer tropical climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Ao Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Ao Nang is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ao Nang in July are around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan is about 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ao Nang 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Koh Pha Ngan. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Temperatures in Ao Nang average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Pha Ngan stays around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ao Nang 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Ao Nang is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The temperature in Ao Nang is usually 28°C (82°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan stays around 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ao Nang 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In April, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Ao Nang is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ao Nang in April are around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Pha Ngan is about 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ao Nang 29°C (84°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Ao Nang

Ao Nang Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)


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Ao Nang vs. Koh Pha Ngan Travel Comparison

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