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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Nara?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nara? 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 accessible, popular, and beachfront town. Ao Nang is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Ao Nang travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a traditional, tranquil, and natural city. Nara offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Nara travel costs.

Ao Nang and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Nara?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nara. Although Ao Nang and Nara are both popular with visitors, Nara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nara is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Ao Nang is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Ao Nang is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. It is also home to Nara Park.

How is Ao Nang different from Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ao Nang and Nara offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Ao Nang is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Nara offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Ao Nang or Nara Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Nara is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Is Ao Nang or Nara Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is notable for its resorts. However, Nara 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.

Nara is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara 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.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Nara Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a popular place for the beach. However, Nara 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.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Ao Nang or Nara Better for its Old Town?

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

Nara has an old town worth visiting. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Ao Nang does not have a historic old town.

Is Ao Nang or Nara Better for Hiking?

Nara 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 Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Nara?

Nara 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 Nara. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

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 Nara More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of good scenery and beauty in both Ao Nang and Nara.

Ao Nang offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The surrounding area is filled with stunning beauty and wonderful excursions.

Nara is a gorgeous place to visit. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Is Ao Nang or Nara Better for Families?

Nara 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 Nara. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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 Nara Better for Couples?

Nara is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Nara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Ao Nang is a nice destination for couples. 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.

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

Ao Nang is notable for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Nara is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

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

Nara 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 Nara. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

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 Nara a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Nara 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.

Nara is very walkable. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Nara or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ao Nang or Nara to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ao Nang than Nara because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ao Nang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Nara.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Ao Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Nara, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Nara?

Ao Nang is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Nara, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Nara has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Nara?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beachfront destination of Ao Nang. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nara 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 Nara?

The accessible town of Ao Nang offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

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 Nara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Nara?

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

Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Nara. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Nara. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Nara. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Nara. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nara in the Autumn?

Both Nara and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Nara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nara during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Nara. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nara in the Winter?

Both Nara and Ao Nang during the winter 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, many visitors come to Nara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nara can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara averages at about 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Nara. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Nara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nara for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nara during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nara. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nara and Ao Nang