Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Ao Nang?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Ao Nang. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Koh Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Ao Nang or Koh Tarutao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $85, while the average daily cost in Ao Nang is $92. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Koh Tarutao and Ao Nang in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Koh Tarutao, $86 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Koh Tarutao, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $43, such as in a hostel.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $90 in Ao Nang For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Koh Tarutao travelers spend around $25 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Ao Nang food costs typically run travelers around $21 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Koh Tarutao $25
Ao Nang $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tarutao
For Koh Tarutao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
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:
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Yanui Cape Sunset Catamaran Tour in Phuket with Dinner by We Love Andaman:
$31
Local Transportation
Koh Tarutao's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $29 per person, per day on transportation in Koh Tarutao.
Ao Nang's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $48 per person, per day on transportation in Ao Nang.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Tarutao
Also for Koh Tarutao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test by Nabon Inter Medical Clinic in Phuket (Transfer arranged by TTD):
$21
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Phuket with Transfers:
$22
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Chiang Mai with Transfers:
$5.59
-
Shared Airport Bus Transfer Phuket :
$3.09
-
Samui Airport Transfers (USM) for Koh Samui and More:
$15
-
Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok, Pattaya, and More by Oriental Holiday:
$17
-
Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok Areas by TTD:
$20
-
Private Phuket International Airport (HKT) Transfers for Phuket and Nearby Areas by TTD:
$22
-
Private Krabi (KBV) or Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Krabi, Phuket, and More by TTD:
$15
-
Private Don Mueang Airport (DMK) Transfers for Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Ayutthaya:
$18
-
Private Don Mueang Airport (DMK) Transfers for Bangkok Areas by TTD:
$20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test by Nabon Inter Medical Clinic in Phuket (Transfer arranged by TTD):
$21
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Phuket with Transfers:
$22
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Chiang Mai with Transfers:
$5.59
-
TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to SURIN Beach Area:
$27
-
TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PATONG Beach Area:
$36
-
Shared Airport Bus Transfer Phuket :
$3.09
-
Samui Airport Transfers (USM) for Koh Samui and More:
$15
-
Private Transfer to Phuket with Jimmy Phuket Taxi:
$68
-
Private Transfer from Railay Beach to Krabi (KBV) Airport:
$41
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Private Transfer from Ao Nang Beach to Krabi (KBV) Airport:
$41
-
Private Transfer Ao Nang Beach Krabi To Phuket Airport:
$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Ao Nang?
Prices for flights to both Ao Nang and Koh Tarutao 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Koh Tarutao can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Ao Nang can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $9.45 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Koh Tarutao
For Koh Tarutao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
-
ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
-
Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
-
Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
-
Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
-
Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
-
Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
-
Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
-
Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
-
ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
-
Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
-
Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
-
Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
-
Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
-
Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
-
Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
-
Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Koh Tarutao spend on average $6.08 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Ao Nang spend on average $13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Tarutao
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Koh Tarutao:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
Sample the Local Flavors in Ao Nang
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ao Nang:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Ao Nang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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