Which place is cheaper, Ao Nang or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Ao Nang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pai 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pai or Ao Nang?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Ao Nang $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Ao Nang is $107. 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 Pai and Ao Nang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Ao Nang $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Ao Nang $104
Compare Hotels in Pai and Ao Nang
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Ao Nang? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Ao Nang $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
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
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Ao Nang?
Prices for flights to both Ao Nang and Pai 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 dayPai $21Ao Nang $24
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Ao Nang $11
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Ao Nang $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Ao Nang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai 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 Pai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Ao Nang Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai 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 Pai or Ao Nang in the Summer?
Both Ao Nang and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai 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 Ao Nang is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 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. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Ao Nang during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Ao Nang receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Ao Nang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Ao Nang in the Autumn?
Both Ao Nang and Pai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai 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 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 Pai. Pai usually gets less rain in October than Ao Nang. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Ao Nang. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ao Nang receives 181 hours of full sun.
Pai is around the same temperature as Ao Nang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Ao Nang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Ao Nang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Ao Nang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Ao Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 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 Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ao Nang during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Ao Nang receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Pai is cooler than Ao Nang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Ao Nang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Ao Nang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Ao Nang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Ao Nang. Pai 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. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Ao Nang. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Ao Nang. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ao Nang receives 249 hours of full sun.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Ao Nang 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Ao Nang and Pai
| Pai | Ao Nang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.