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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koyasan? 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.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is a beachfront, lively, and accessible town. Ao Nang is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Ao Nang travel costs.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a traditional, peaceful, and serene town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Koyasan travel costs.

Ao Nang and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Koyasan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ao Nang. Although Ao Nang and Koyasan are both popular with visitors, Ao Nang has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ao Nang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Koyasan is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Ao Nang is popular for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. It is also home to the Island Boat Tours. Koyasan is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Ao Nang different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Koyasan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

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

Both Ao Nang and Koyasan offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Ao Nang is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Koyasan offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Ao Nang know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a great destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Ao Nang to choose from. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

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

Ao Nang is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Ao Nang. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a good destination for the beach. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Ao Nang offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ao Nang does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Ao Nang does not have a historic old town.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Ao Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Koyasan?

Ao Nang is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Ao Nang offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of good scenery and beauty in both Ao Nang and Koyasan.

Ao Nang offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The surrounding area is filled with stunning beauty and wonderful excursions.

Koyasan is a gorgeous place to visit. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ao Nang or Koyasan.

Ao Nang is a family-friendly town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koyasan. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Couples?

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

Koyasan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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 Ao Nang or Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ao Nang is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ao Nang is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Ao Nang and Koyasan.

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

You'll find some public transit in Koyasan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Is Ao Nang or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Koyasan are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Koyasan is very walkable. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ao Nang or Koyasan to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ao Nang than Koyasan because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ao Nang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Koyasan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ao Nang than Koyasan 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 Ao Nang or Koyasan?

In Ao Nang, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ao Nang or Koyasan?

In Ao Nang, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ao Nang has to offer.

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Koyasan?

Ao Nang is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Koyasan is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A week in Ao Nang or Koyasan?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

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 Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Koyasan?

Koyasan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Ao Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Koyasan. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Ao Nang is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Koyasan. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ao Nang this time of the year. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Koyasan. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In April, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Ao Nang