Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Ao Nang Prices
Thailand PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $136Kolkata (Calcutta) $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $136, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Kolkata (Calcutta) $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Kolkata (Calcutta) $32
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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: Ao Nang Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $64Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Krabi: Ao Nang To or From Phi Phi By Fast Speedboat Transfer: $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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
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Food Meals for one dayAo Nang $49Kolkata (Calcutta) $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $26
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Alleyway Food Tour: $46
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $13Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- 02 Days Private Kolkata Tour with Lunch : $179
- A Unique Experience of Kolkata Public Transport System: $98
- Capturing the City of Joy; Full Day Kolkata Street Photography Tour: $85
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
- Custom Private Kolkata Sightseeing with English speaking Guide: $75
- Durga Puja 2025 Tours -The Festival Enjoyed Close Up: $75
- Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $99
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Gangasagar Pilgrimage Day Tour from Kolkata: $147
- Half Day Private Tour of Kolkata with a Local Companion: $69
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $49
- Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $17Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 580 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.
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.