Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Xiamen? 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $107Xiamen $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $107, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $64. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Xiamen $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Xiamen $60
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $56Xiamen $5.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Krabi to Phuket: $105
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $41
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $41
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $31
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $23
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $24Xiamen $26
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: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $39
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $40
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $46
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $50
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $11Xiamen $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 1hour drive: $43
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $27
- ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $35
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $57
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $27
- From Hong Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $32
- From Phi Phi Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $46
- From Private Gondola Cruise with Lunch and Picnic: $59
- From Krabi: James Bond Island One-Day Tour by Speedboat: $123
- Half-Day Krabi Four Islands Tour with Amazing long-tail Boat: $88
- James Bond Island: Sightseeing Tour by Longtail Boat & Kayak: $42
- Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $32
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $15Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Xiamen, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
Both Xiamen 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.
Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen 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.
In the autumn, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Xiamen. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Xiamen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
In January, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Xiamen. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ao Nang is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in April than Xiamen. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
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.