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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Nagoya?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nagoya? 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 popular, beachfront, and lively town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a often overlooked, under-the-radar, and under-rated city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Nagoya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagoya. Although Ao Nang and Nagoya are popular destinations, Nagoya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagoya is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Ao Nang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Ao Nang is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Nagoya is famous for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. It is also well known for the Nagoya Castle.

How is Ao Nang different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nagoya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

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 Nagoya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagoya is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Nagoya is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

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 Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Ao Nang and Nagoya.

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.

Nagoya is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Is Ao Nang or Nagoya Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Ao Nang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Ao Nang. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Nagoya Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a popular place for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Ao Nang is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Nagoya?

Nagoya is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nagoya. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Ao Nang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Is Ao Nang or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Nagoya is a very family-friendly destination. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

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 Nagoya Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ao Nang and Nagoya make for a nice 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.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

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

Ao Nang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Nagoya is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

Is Ao Nang or Nagoya Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Nagoya. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Ao Nang is not popular with students.

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

Nagoya 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 Nagoya. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

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 Nagoya a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Nagoya are high quality 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.

Nagoya is very walkable. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Nagoya?

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

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

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

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.

Because Nagoya is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city 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 Nagoya?

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.

Because Nagoya is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagoya has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Nagoya?

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.

Nagoya 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 Nagoya?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the lively 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 Nagoya. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nagoya. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

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

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 Nagoya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya?

Nagoya 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 Nagoya in the Summer?

Both Nagoya and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year.

Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Nagoya in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nagoya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Nagoya. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nagoya in the Autumn?

Both Nagoya and Ao Nang during the autumn 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 Nagoya for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ao Nang is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagoya. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun.

Nagoya 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 October than Nagoya. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang. August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nagoya in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Also, many visitors come to Nagoya in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagoya can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nagoya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Nagoya. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Nagoya for the activities around the city during these months.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Nagoya in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Nagoya fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagoya. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in April than Nagoya. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Ao Nang