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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Sendai?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Sendai? 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 shopping, nightlife, and food.

Sendai

Sendai is a lively, high energy, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Sendai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sendai. Although Ao Nang and Sendai are both popular with visitors, Sendai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sendai is more popular for its museums & sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Ao Nang is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Ao Nang is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also home to the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Ao Nang different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sendai offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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 Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ao Nang and Sendai 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.

Sendai offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Ao Nang or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Ao Nang and Sendai.

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.

Sendai is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Ao Nang or Sendai Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai is not a resort destination.

Ao Nang is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Ao Nang to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Sendai Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ao Nang and Sendai are good choices.

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.

Many people head to Sendai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

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 Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai 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 Sendai. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny 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 Sendai Better for Couples?

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

Sendai is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

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

Ao Nang is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Sendai is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai 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 Sendai. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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 Sendai a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Sendai are very good 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.

Sendai is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Sendai?

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

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

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

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 Sendai, you'll find nightlife and 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai, 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 Sendai has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Sendai?

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.

Sendai 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. 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 for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Ao Nang and Sendai, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai 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, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Sendai. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Sendai 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 Sendai. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 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 Sendai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Sendai. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sendai 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 Sendai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Sendai. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°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 Sendai. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Ao Nang