A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Ayutthaya for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Athens or Ayutthaya?

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 Athens and Ayutthaya. 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.

Athens

Athens is a historic, ancient, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Athens travel costs.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a famous, popular, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Athens and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Ayutthaya?

You'll generally find more things to do in Athens than Ayutthaya. Athens is bigger than Ayutthaya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Athens is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Ayutthaya is more popular for its shopping. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Ayutthaya?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Athens that are not to be missed. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Many visitors head to Ayutthaya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. These large and impressive ruins are among the most visited in Thailand. This is in large part because of their easy access from Bangkok. Highlights of the historical park include Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the Royal Chapel, Wat Ratchaburana, and Vihara Phra Mongkol Bophi.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Ayutthaya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Athens is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Ayutthaya has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The local cuisine makes use of the area's freshwater fish, green vegetables, and river prawns. Dishes often include rice noodles and a spicy sauce. There are many restaurants that cater to the tourist crowds but still serve high quality dishes.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Athens is a world class party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ayutthaya. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ayutthaya. There are some great shopping areas around the town that specialize in local handicrafts such as pottery, wicker weaving, and stone masonry. Some of the most interesting places include the Ayutthaya Floating Market and the Ayutthaya Night Market.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya More Beautiful?

Athens is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ayutthaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Ayutthaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Athens is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Athens is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly city. Families will appreciate how easy it is to reach Ayutthaya from Bangkok. The historical ruins are fun for both kids and adults, but the sites are very spread out and you'll need to hire a tuk tuk to see everything. The roads can be crowded and distances far, so biking isn't recommended with kids.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

Athens and Ayutthaya both notable destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Ayutthaya is a nice destination for couples. The historical ruins make an easy day trip from Bangkok, so couples who appreciate history and iconic temples will appreciate a visit here.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Athens is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Many backpackers visit Ayutthaya. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for Students?

Athens is notable for students. However, Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is notable for its public transit. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ayutthaya. There are organized tours and private tuk tuks for hire that will take you to the various temples. There are also bicycles available for rent, but roads can be crowded.

Is Athens or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

Athens is notable for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Athens is very walkable. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable city. The historic sites are spread out over a vast area and you must have some form of transportation to reach everything. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phutthai Sawan are the furthest apart. Everywhere else can be accessed on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Athens?

How long in Athens or Ayutthaya?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Athens or Ayutthaya to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Athens than Ayutthaya because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ayutthaya.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Ayutthaya 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or Ayutthaya?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Ayutthaya?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ayutthaya is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Ayutthaya?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ayutthaya. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Ayutthaya?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Ayutthaya. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Ayutthaya, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Ayutthaya is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ayutthaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ayutthaya 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Ayutthaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Ayutthaya?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Ayutthaya, 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 Athens or Ayutthaya?

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

Should I visit Athens or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

Both Ayutthaya and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Ayutthaya. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Ayutthaya. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Ayutthaya. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Athens is generally cooler than Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Should I visit Athens or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Ayutthaya. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

Athens is much colder than Ayutthaya in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets more rain in January than Ayutthaya. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

Both Ayutthaya and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Athens is much colder than Ayutthaya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 31°C (88°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Ayutthaya during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October.

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Athens