A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Paihia for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Ao Nang or Paihia?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Paihia? 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Paihia

Paihia is a fun-filled, beautiful, and relaxing coastal town. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Ao Nang and Paihia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Paihia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paihia. Although Ao Nang and Paihia are both popular with visitors, Paihia has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paihia is more popular for its museums & sights, food, beaches, and hiking, while Ao Nang is known for its nightlife, resorts, and impressive beauty. Paihia is more touristy than Ao Nang and is known for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Ao Nang is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Ao Nang different from Paihia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Paihia. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

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 Paihia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Paihia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

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 Paihia Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Paihia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

Is Ao Nang or Paihia Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Ao Nang to choose from. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Paihia is not a resort destination.

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

There's superb scuba diving or snorkeling available in both Ao Nang and Paihia.

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.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Paihia. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Is Ao Nang or Paihia Better for Beaches?

Paihia is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Paihia. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Many people head to Ao Nang to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Ao Nang or Paihia Better for Hiking?

Paihia 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 Paihia. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Paihia?

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

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.

Paihia is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

Is Ao Nang or Paihia Better for Families?

Paihia 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, Paihia is a very family-friendly destination. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

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 Paihia Better for Couples?

Paihia is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Paihia makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

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 Paihia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ao Nang and Paihia are both superb destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Paihia. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

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

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

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 Paihia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

Is Ao Nang or Paihia a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Paihia is a somewhat walkable town. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Paihia or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Paihia?

In either Ao Nang or Paihia, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Paihia than Ao Nang because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ao Nang, and 3-5 days is enough time in Paihia.

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

Couples should spend more time in Paihia than Ao Nang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Paihia that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paihia than Ao Nang 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 Paihia.

One day in Ao Nang or Paihia?

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 Paihia, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal 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 Paihia?

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 Paihia, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Ao Nang or Paihia?

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.

Paihia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Paihia has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ao Nang or Paihia?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the accessible 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 Paihia. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Paihia. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Paihia, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Paihia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ao Nang is in Asia and Paihia is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Paihia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paihia 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 Paihia.

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 Paihia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Paihia?

Ao Nang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Paihia, 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.