Which place is cheaper, Xigatse or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Xigatse?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Xigatse? 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 Xigatse?
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.
Xigatse
The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $121Xigatse $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $121, while the average daily cost in Xigatse is $63. 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 Xigatse in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $58Xigatse $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $116Xigatse $58
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Xigatse
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Xigatse? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $63Xigatse $13
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
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Krabi to Phuket: $117
- Krabi: Private Transfer Between Ao Nang Area and Ko Lanta: $113
- Ko Lanta: Speed Boat Transfer Direct to Aonang: $56
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $45
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $45
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $34
- One way Private transfer from Krabi airport to Ao Nang: $33
- Krabi ATV Extreme Experience with Transfer and Adventure: $28
- Krabi: Ao Nang To/From Phi Phi By Fast Speed Boat Transfer: $27
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $26
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Xigatse?
Prices for flights to both Xigatse 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 $28Xigatse $24
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: 7-Island Sunset & Dinner - Join tour by Longtail boat: $42
- Krabi: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $43
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $45
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $52
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $56
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Xigatse $14
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: $44
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $30
- ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $36
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $63
- Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $27
- Hong Islands Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat: $39
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $30
- Rafting, Zipline, and Waterfall Trek Adventure Tour: $46
- From Phi Phi Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $51
- From Private Gondola Cruise with Lunch and Picnic: $66
- From Krabi: 4 Islands Sunset Tour+Plankton by Speedboat: $51
- From Krabi: James Bond Island One-Day Tour by Speedboat: $137
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $17Xigatse $3.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Ao Nang
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ao Nang:
- Guided Bar Crawl with Shots and a T-Shirt: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Xigatse, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Xigatse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xigatse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xigatse 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 Xigatse.
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 Xigatse Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Xigatse?
Xigatse has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Xigatse, 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.