Which place is cheaper, Taiyuan 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 Taiyuan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Taiyuan? 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 Taiyuan?
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.
Taiyuan
With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Ao Nang Prices
Thailand PricesTaiyuan Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $131Taiyuan $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $131, while the average daily cost in Taiyuan is $113. 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 Taiyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $50Taiyuan $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $100Taiyuan $92
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Taiyuan
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Taiyuan? 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 Taiyuan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $62Taiyuan $51
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
- From Krabi: Private Taxi Transfer to Phuket: $122
- Krabi: Private Transfer Between Ao Nang Area and Ko Lanta: $109
- From Ao Nang (Krabi): Private To Phuket (Phuket) Transfer: $87
- Krabi: 4 Islands Speed Catamaran Tour with Lunch/Transfers: $76
- Krabi : Muay Thai Live Fight Experience with Transfer: $56
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $47
- Ferry Transfer from Aonang To Phuket (Rassada Pier): $39
- Railay : Ferry Transfer from Railay to Ko Lanta: $35
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $35
- Krabi ATV Jungle Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $35
- Krabi: 4-Island Speedboat Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Taiyuan?
Prices for flights to both Taiyuan 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 $47Taiyuan $38
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:
- K-Bunk Thai Cooking Class: $23
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Dinner & Snorkeling: $37
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class Krabi Province: $40
- Krabi: Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Local Chef: $44
- Authentic Thai Local Cooking Class: $46
- Krabi: Hong Island Cruise with Thai Buffet Dinner: $46
- Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour by Longtail Boat & BBQ Dinner: $46
- From Ao Nang Hong Island Longtail Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $49
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $52
- Krabi: Romantic Beachfront Sunset Dinner: $65
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Instructor: $67
- Krabi: Ao Thalane Sunset Kayaking & BBQ Dinner: $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Taiyuan $16
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): $40
- ATV adventure 1hour drive: $46
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $33
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $81
- Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $27
- Ao Nang Night Tour – Swim with bioluminescent plankton: $29
- 4 Island Awesomeness Adventure: $49
- 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat with Lunch: $39
- ATV Ride and Natural Swimming Experience: $55
- Crystal Pool Kayaking, ATV, and Pineapple Farm Tour: $75
- Hong Islands Full day Tour with Lunch and 360 view: $43
- Horse Riding Tour and kayaking clongrood: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $16Taiyuan $6.80
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!: $0.97
- Krabi: Summer Club Pub Crawl with Fire Show: $15
- Krabi Pub Crawl - Join Nomads For The Best Night in Ao Nang!: $27
When comparing the travel costs between Ao Nang and Taiyuan, 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 Taiyuan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Taiyuan?
Taiyuan has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Taiyuan, 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.