A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Yichang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ao Nang or Yichang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yichang? 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 Yichang?

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.

Yichang

Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.

Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.


Which place is cheaper, Yichang or Ao Nang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $121, while the average daily cost in Yichang is $59. 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 Yichang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ao Nang $58
    Yichang $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ao Nang $116
    Yichang $50
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Yichang

Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Yichang? 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.

Hotels in Ao Nang


Hotels in Yichang


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ao Nang $63
    Yichang $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang

Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $20
  • Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $20
  • Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $25
  • Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $25
  • Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $27
  • Krabi: Ao Nang To/From Phi Phi By Fast Speed Boat Transfer: $28
  • One way Private transfer from Krabi airport to Ao Nang: $34
  • Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $35
  • Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $46
  • Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $46
  • Ko Lanta: Speed Boat Transfer Direct to Aonang: $58
  • Krabi: Private Transfer Between Ao Nang Area and Ko Lanta: $116

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yichang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:

  • Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290

Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Yichang?

Prices for flights to both Yichang 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ao Nang $28
    Yichang $22

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: $43
  • Krabi: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $44
  • Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $46
  • Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $53
  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $57
  • Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ao Nang $12
    Yichang $19

Tours and Activities in Ao Nang

For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Krabi: South Kayak Klong Root Kayaking Tour: $18
  • Krabi ATV adventure drive 30mins: $25
  • Krabi kayaking and swimming clongrood Tour: $25
  • Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $28
  • Krabi 4 Island One Day Tour by Speed boat or Longtail boat: $28
  • ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $31
  • Krabi: Saitai Mountain Tail ATV Adventure: $31
  • Krabi: ATV adventure and extreme: $31
  • Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $31
  • Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $36
  • Krabi: Tiger Cave, Hot Springs and Emerald Pool Jungle Tour: $37
  • ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $37

Tours and Activities in Yichang

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:

  • From Xi'an: 13-Day Private Tour to Guilin with Flights: $4,005
  • From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $786
  • Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
  • Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
  • Yichang higlights tour Three gorge Dam& Chexi day tour: $190

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ao Nang $17
    Yichang $15

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 Yichang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Yichang.

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 Yichang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Yichang?

Yichang has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Yichang, 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 Yichang?

Yichang 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 Yichang in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Yichang. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Yichang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ao Nang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Yichang averages at about 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yichang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Yichang. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yichang receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yichang. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Yichang. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ao Nang 28°C (82°F) 
    Yichang 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yichang in the Autumn?

Both Yichang and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.

In October, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Yichang. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 27°C (81°F), and Yichang fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Yichang during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Yichang receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Yichang. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ao Nang 27°C (81°F) 
    Yichang 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yichang in the Winter?

Both Yichang and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Ao Nang is much warmer than Yichang in the winter. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Yichang fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Yichang. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yichang receives 92 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang usually gets more rain in January than Yichang. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ao Nang 28°C (82°F) 
    Yichang 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yichang in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Yichang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.

In the spring, Ao Nang is much warmer than Yichang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ao Nang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Yichang averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Yichang during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Yichang receives 129 hours of full sun in the spring.

Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Yichang. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ao Nang 29°C (84°F) 
    Yichang 18°C (65°F)

Typical Weather for Yichang and Ao Nang

Ao Nang Yichang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in) 27°C (80°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 29°C (85°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 29°C (85°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in) 25°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in) 20°C (67°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)