A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Ao Nang for Nightlife, Resorts, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Dubai or Ao Nang?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Ao Nang can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is a lively, accessible, and popular town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Dubai and Ao Nang: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Ao Nang are popular destinations, Dubai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, museums & sights, food, nightlife, music, resorts, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ao Nang attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Dubai is famous for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Ao Nang is famous for its easy access to nearby natural beauty.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Ao Nang?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ao Nang and Dubai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Ao Nang is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Ao Nang is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Dubai is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Ao Nang is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Dubai offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Ao Nang offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most of the fun of this town is the beach setting and easy access to natural beauty. If you're looking for a temple, you can check out nearby Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cavee Temple).

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Ao Nang? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubai is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Ao Nang offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of restaurants that are vying for your business. The food is the typical Thai cuisine as well as international options like pizza and burgers.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Dubai is a world class party destination. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Ao Nang is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It has some of the best nightlife in the province of Krabi. There are many bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink and enjoy a fun night out.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Music?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Ao Nang is not a live music destination.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Ao Nang is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Dubai is a great choice. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Ao Nang. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ao Nang is a great town for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Ao Nang. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Beaches?

Dubai and Ao Nang are nice choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Dubai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Ao Nang has a beach worth visiting. Ao Nang Beach is the most popular beach near town. It is lined with longtail boats and there's often a crowd that keeps things busy and chaotic. Noppharat Thara Beach is popular with the locals and sees less tourists than Ao Nang Beach. It has golden sand and a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Ao Nang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Families?

Dubai is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ao Nang. The sandy beaches are great for kids. This is also a nice base if you want to take day trips to Railay Beach and other nearby areas.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Ao Nang are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Ao Nang is a nice destination for couples. The area is filled with amazing natural beauty and stunning beaches. You can use Ao Nang as a base for exploring the many impressive areas that aren't far away.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ao Nang is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Ao Nang. There are hostels and budget accommodation in abundance in the area. Ao Nang also has some of the best nightlife in Krabi, which attracts a younger crowd.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Students?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Ao Nang is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Ao Nang is not popular with students.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubai and Ao Nang both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Ao Nang has a few public transit options. Tuk tuks or renting a motorbike are your best bet for reaching places quickly.

Is Dubai or Ao Nang a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is a great town for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Ao Nang is a very walkable destination. It's a small town, so most places can be reached on foot.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Ao Nang Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ao Nang or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dubai and Ao Nang. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than in Ao Nang. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ao Nang.

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Ao Nang. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dubai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dubai than Ao Nang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dubai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubai than Ao Nang if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dubai.

One day in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Ao Nang, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this accessible destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ao Nang. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Ao Nang?

Dubai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dubai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Ao Nang is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Ao Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Ao Nang?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the accessible destination of Ao Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Ao Nang, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Ao Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Ao Nang is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ao Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ao Nang 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Ao Nang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Ao Nang Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Ao Nang?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Ao Nang, 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 Dubai or Ao Nang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Ao Nang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Ao Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Ao Nang in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Ao Nang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Ao Nang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Ao Nang. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Ao Nang. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Dubai is around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Ao Nang averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Ao Nang in the Winter?

Both Ao Nang and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Dubai is January to March. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Dubai is generally cooler than Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Ao Nang in the Spring?

Both Ao Nang and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.

June to August is the dry season in Dubai. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Ao Nang. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Dubai is cooler than Ao Nang in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Ao Nang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Ao Nang and Dubai