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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Nagano?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nagano? 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Ao Nang and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Nagano?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano. Although Ao Nang and Nagano are both popular with visitors, Nagano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, historical sights, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ao Nang is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Ao Nang is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple.

How is Ao Nang different from Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nagano and Ao Nang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Ao Nang is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Ao Nang is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ao Nang or Nagano?

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

Nagano offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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 Nagano? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Nagano has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

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 Nagano Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Ao Nang and Nagano.

Ao Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Nagano is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a great town for its luxury resorts. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

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.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

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

Ao Nang is a great town for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nagano 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.

Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for Beaches?

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

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

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

Nagano has an old town worth visiting. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Ao Nang does not have a historic old town.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for Hiking?

Nagano 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 Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Nagano?

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

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.

Nagano is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for Families?

Nagano 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 Nagano. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

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 Nagano Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ao Nang and Nagano 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.

Nagano is a nice destination for couples. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

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

Ao Nang is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano 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 Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Ao Nang or Nagano Better for Students?

Nagano is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Ao Nang is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nagano. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Ao Nang is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Nagano, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Ao Nang or Nagano a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Nagano?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ao Nang and Nagano. In our opinion, Nagano has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nagano than Ao Nang. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ao Nang, and 1-3 days is enough time in Nagano.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nagano than Ao Nang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nagano 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 Nagano 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 Nagano?

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 Nagano, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ao Nang or Nagano?

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 Nagano, you'll find museums and skiing. 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 Nagano has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Nagano?

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.

Nagano 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 Nagano?

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 Nagano. Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Nagano. 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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

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

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 Nagano Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Nagano?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Nagano, 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 Nagano?

Nagano 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 Nagano in the Summer?

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

In July, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano 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 Nagano. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 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 Nagano in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Nagano. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Nagano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Nagano fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Nagano. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 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 Nagano in the Winter?

Both Nagano 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 skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagano averages at about 2°C (36°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Nagano. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nagano in the Spring?

Both Nagano 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. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 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 Nagano. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Ao Nang