Which place is cheaper, Taipei or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Taipei?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Taipei? 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.
Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Taipei?
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.
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Ao Nang Prices
Thailand PricesTaipei Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $130Taipei $194
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $130, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $194. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ao Nang and Taipei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $50Taipei $146
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $100Taipei $292
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Taipei
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Taipei? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ao Nang Hotel Prices and Taipei Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $61Taipei $9.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Phuket - Krabi, Aonang: $150
- Railay : Ferry Transfer from Railay to Ko Lanta: $34
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $46
- Krabi: Private Transfer Between Ao Nang Area and Ko Lanta: $107
- Krabi: Ao Nang To or From Phi Phi By Fast Speedboat Transfer: $30
- Krabi: ATV Off-Road Adventure in Nature Paradise w/Transfer: $30
- Krabi: 4-Island Deluxe Speedboat Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $31
- Krabi: 4 Islands Speed Catamaran Tour with Lunch/Transfers: $75
- Krabi ATV Jungle Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $37
- Krabi ATV Extreme Experience with Transfer and Adventure: $31
- Krabi : Muay Thai Live Fight Experience with Transfer: $55
- Koh Lanta :Speedboat Transfer from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$2.02
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Easycard$9.34
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Train$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taoyuan airport to Yilan Private Transfer: $105
- Taoyuan Airport to Keelung port Private Transfer: $79
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $28
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Taipei City: $85
- Taiwan International Airport Private Transfer: $90
- Taiwan Airport Private Transfer: $119
- Taiwan Airport ↔ Hotel Luggage Transfer (TPE, TSA, RMQ, KHH, TNN): $20
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $9.19
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Beitou New Taipei Arrival Transfer: $186
- Taipei Songshan Airport(TSA)Airport Transfer: $45
- Taipei Departure Private Transfer with Guide TPE Airport: $150
- Taipei City to Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Taipei?
Prices for flights to both Taipei and Ao Nang change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAo Nang $46Taipei $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Krabi: Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Local Chef: $37
- Authentic Thai Local Cooking Class: $38
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class Krabi Province: $39
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Dinner & Snorkeling: $40
- Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour by Longtail Boat & BBQ Dinner: $43
- Krabi: Hong Island Cruise with Thai Buffet Dinner: $45
- From Ao Nang Hong Island Longtail Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $49
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $51
- Krabi: Romantic Beachfront Sunset Dinner: $64
- Krabi: Ao Thalane Sunset Kayaking & BBQ Dinner: $110
- Local Krabi: Cooking Demo, Market Walk, Bamboo Raft & Fruit: $133
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$16
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Lunch at The Can$6.85
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EasyCard$31
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Lunch$2.96
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Lunch$1.87
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Dinner$6.23
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Lunch$3.58
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Lunch$4.67
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Louisa coffee$2.96
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Lunch$5.92
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Lunch$3.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
- Taipei Food Tour Taiwan Traditional Breakfast and Market and Tea: $45
- Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
- Food Tour Local Market with 12+ tasters & Drinks Included: $49
- Disappearing Flavors of Taiwan Food Tour with 12+ Tasters: $50
- Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
- Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
- Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
- Xiao long bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. (Taiwan Cooking Class)-B: $65
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Taipei $18
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV adventure (30 min) and Archery (30 min): $39
- ATV adventure 1hour drive: $45
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $33
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $79
- Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $27
- Ao Nang Night Tour – Swim with bioluminescent plankton: $28
- 4 Island Awesomeness Adventure: $48
- ATV Ride and Natural Swimming Experience: $54
- Crystal Pool Kayaking, ATV, and Pineapple Farm Tour: $74
- Hong Islands Full day Tour with Lunch and 360 view: $38
- Horse Riding Tour and kayaking clongrood: $75
- Hot Springs, Emerald Pool, and Tiger Cave Day Tour: $43
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 101 Skyline 460 Observatory Ticket | Taipei: $124
- 2 Days Sun Moon Lake & Lukang Historic Area Tour: $232
- 2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village: $58
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
- 2-hr Ningxia Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide: $35
- 3-hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Songshan distric & taste lotus hot pot: $77
- 3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ): $44
- 4 Days Private Tour Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake & Taichung: $1,079
- 4 Hour Afternoon Cycling City Tour North with Snack: $83
- 7-Hour Join tour - Jiufen Village & Shifen Town: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $16Taipei $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Ao Nang
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ao Nang:
- K-Bunk Pub Crawl - The Best Bars in Ao Nang in One Night!: $1.20
- Krabi: Summer Club Pub Crawl with Fire Show: $15
- Krabi Pub Crawl - Join Nomads For The Best Night in Ao Nang!: $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Authentic Night Sober-Friendly Pub Crawl: $20
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Taipei, we can see that Taipei is more expensive. And not only is Ao Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ao Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ao Nang 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei than you might in Ao Nang.
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 Taipei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Taipei?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 980 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Taipei, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.