Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Yangshuo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Yangshuo? 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 Yangshuo?
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.
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $107Yangshuo $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $107, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $72. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Yangshuo $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Yangshuo $50
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Yangshuo? 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 $56Yangshuo $42
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
- 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
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $24Yangshuo $19
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $11Yangshuo $23
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 Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $149
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $136
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $15Yangshuo $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Yangshuo, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo.
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 Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Yangshuo. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Yangshuo. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ao Nang is a little warmer than Yangshuo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Yangshuo. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Yangshuo in the Winter?
Both Yangshuo and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.
In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Yangshuo in the Spring?
Both Yangshuo and Ao Nang during the spring 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 April, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Yangshuo 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 less rain in April than Yangshuo. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.