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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Matsue? 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 beachfront, lively, and accessible town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Matsue

Matsue is a pretty, serene, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Ao Nang and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Matsue?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ao Nang. Although Ao Nang and Matsue are both popular with visitors, Ao Nang has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ao Nang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Matsue is known for its museums & sights, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Ao Nang is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. It is also home to the Island Boat Tours. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Ao Nang different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Matsue offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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 Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

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 Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Ao Nang know how to have a good time. 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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Ao Nang or Matsue Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a great destination for its resorts. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Matsue Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a town with good options for the beache. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Ao Nang or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ao Nang does not have a historic old town.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Ao Nang does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Matsue?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Ao Nang and Matsue.

Ao Nang has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Matsue is a great destination for shopping. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Ao Nang or Matsue Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ao Nang or Matsue.

Ao Nang is a family-friendly town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Matsue. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Ao Nang or Matsue Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ao Nang and Matsue make for a good place to visit.

Ao Nang is a good town for couples to visit. 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.

Matsue is a nice destination for couples. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

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

Ao Nang is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ao Nang is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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 Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Matsue. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

You'll find some public transit in Ao Nang, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks or renting a motorbike are your best bet for reaching places quickly.

Is Ao Nang or Matsue a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Matsue 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.

Matsue is very walkable. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Matsue?

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

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

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 Matsue, you'll find museums and food. This town 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 Matsue?

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 Matsue, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Matsue has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Matsue?

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.

Matsue is a great place to explore. 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 Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular 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 Matsue. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Matsue. 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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.

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

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 Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Ao Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

Matsue 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Matsue. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue 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 Matsue. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Matsue. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue averages at about 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In April, Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Matsue. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Ao Nang