A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Krabi vs. Ao Nang for Attractions, Nightlife, Resorts, and Families

Should you visit Krabi 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 Krabi and Ao Nang can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a vibrant, colorful, and stunning town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is a popular, beachfront, and lively town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Krabi and Ao Nang: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ao Nang than Krabi, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ao Nang is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Krabi is more popular for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Ao Nang is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Also, Ao Nang is famous for the Island Boat Tours. Krabi is well known for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Krabi different from Ao Nang?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Krabi offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. In the area you'll find mountain top temples such as Wat Tham Suea and natural spots such as Khao Khanap Nam Cave. In town there's the stunning Wat Kaew Korawaram temple as well.

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 Krabi or Ao Nang? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Krabi and Ao Nang can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Krabi. It's not particularly known for its culinary scene, but Krabi Town does have great street food and a lively night market. For some of the best restaurants, head to Chao Fah Road.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ao Nang. 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 Krabi or Ao Nang Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Ao Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Krabi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Is Krabi or Ao Nang Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its resorts.

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.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Krabi offers a few options. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

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

Ao Nang is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Krabi or Ao Nang Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is very good for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

Many people head to Ao Nang to enjoy the beach. 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.

You can check out the beach in Krabi. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Krabi is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Krabi. The town's night market is fun to explore. There's also the popular Krabi Town Walking Street (where you'll find the night market) as well as some larger stores and small malls near town.

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 Krabi or Ao Nang Better for Families?

Krabi 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 Krabi. The town makes a great base for island hopping and exploring the province of Krabi. Nearby you'll find Krabi Fun Park, which includes a ropes course. There are also caves nearby to explore and plenty of stunning natural beauty.

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 Krabi or Ao Nang Better for Couples?

Krabi is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Krabi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's easy access to many beautiful areas with caves, viewpoints, and beaches. Krabi Walking Street also has great restaurants and a lively night market.

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 Krabi or Ao Nang Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Ao Nang is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Krabi. The town has a more local vibe, as many backpackers head on to Ao Nang or Railay Beach. You'll find affordable accommodation here though, as well as easy access to some great excursions.

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

Ao Nang is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Krabi. There's no real public transit so you'll need to get around by rental car, motorbike, or songthaew truck (pickup trucks with seats in back).

Is Krabi or Ao Nang a more walkable city?

Ao Nang is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Krabi is a somewhat walkable place. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ao Nang or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Ao Nang. In our opinion, Ao Nang has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ao Nang than Krabi. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ao Nang than Krabi 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 Ao Nang.

One day in Krabi or Ao Nang?

In Krabi, you'll find nightlife and food. This town 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 Krabi or Ao Nang?

In Krabi, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Krabi has to offer.

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 Krabi or Ao Nang?

Krabi is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Krabi or Ao Nang?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Krabi. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Krabi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the popular 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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Ao Nang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi 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 Krabi.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Ao Nang?

Krabi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi 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 Krabi or Ao Nang in the Summer?

Both Ao Nang and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi 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 Krabi is August to October. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ao Nang. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ao Nang during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Ao Nang receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Ao Nang in the Autumn?

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

December to March is the dry season in Krabi. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang. August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ao Nang. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ao Nang. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ao Nang receives 181 hours of full sun.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Ao Nang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ao Nang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Ao Nang in the Winter?

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

December to March in Krabi is the dry season. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. In January, Krabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ao Nang. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ao Nang during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Ao Nang receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Krabi is around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krabi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Ao Nang averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Ao Nang in the Spring?

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

It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ao Nang. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ao Nang. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ao Nang receives 249 hours of full sun.

In April, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Ao Nang and Krabi