A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Coffs Harbour for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour? 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.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a historical, cultural, and famous city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a fun, nature-filled, and lively vacation town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Coffs Harbour than Ayutthaya. While Ayutthaya is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Ayutthaya is known for its museums & sights and historical sights. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Coffs Harbour and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Coffs Harbour is popular for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also home to the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

How is Ayutthaya different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Ayutthaya. 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.

Coffs Harbour offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town is home to the infamous Big Banana Fun Park. It's a large amusement park that's become recognized for the "Big Banana" at the entrance - which is the first of the "Big Things" found in Australia. The town also has several other landmarks to check out such as the Forest Sky Pier, the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and the Butterfly House.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ayutthaya makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Coffs Harbour has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that cater to families, couples, and all types of vacations. There are quaint cafes as well as fine dining restaurants and the cuisine ranges from local seafood to modern Australian favorites, or international treats.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is notable for nightlife. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Coffs Harbour has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vacation spot that attracts visitors who want to enjoy the evening activities. The Jetty Strip is popular for its nightlife scene, but you'll find no shortage of bars and pubs in other areas as well.

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 Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is notable for its resorts. However, Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Coffs Harbour is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There's a huge range of accommodation types in the area with everything from camping to luxury resorts. There are also budget-friendly hostels and family-friendly hotels.

Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Coffs Harbour. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in the area, as this is where the Solitary Islands Marine Park begins. The area sees a mix of the warm water from the Great Barrier Reef and the cooler waters from around Sydney, so the marine life is diverse. There are sheltered areas that offer snorkeling for all ages and you'll see a great mix of tropical and sub-tropical marine life, as well as both soft and hard corals.

Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Coffs Harbour. People come for the beaches, and they won't disappoint. You can enjoy everything from surfing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking and taking in the beauty. Popular beaches in the area include Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga, and the family-friendly Jetty Beach.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Coffs Harbour does not have a historic old town.

Ayutthaya is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Coffs Harbour does not have a historic old town.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Coffs Harbour is a popular spot for hiking. There are many national parks and natural areas nearby with excellent hiking and bush walks. The Coffs Creek Walk is a walking and biking path that's in town and connects the city center to many of the top sights that are nearby. Out of town, there's the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, the Gumgali Track, Sherwood Nature Reserve and Ulidarra National Park.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Both Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour are excellent shopping destinations.

Ayutthaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Coffs Harbour is well-known for its shopping. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is a very family-friendly destination. There are great beaches where kids can swim or learn to surf. There are also water parks, including the famous Big Banana Fun Park, as well as amusement parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Kids and adults alike will enjoy going dolphin or whale watching, or putting on a mask and going snorkeling.

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 Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

Coffs Harbour is notable for romance. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a beautiful city and a popular honeymoon destination. Couples will enjoy the impressive beaches and fun activities. There are places to explore nature as well as restaurants and fun evening activities. There's also great scuba diving and snorkeling at the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Ayutthaya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The historical ruins make an easy day trip from Bangkok, so couples who appreciate history and iconic temples will appreciate a visit here.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour are excellent destinations for backpackers.

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

Many backpackers visit Coffs Harbour. There are a number of hostels around town as well as great water activities and a lively atmosphere, making this a nice stop off for backpackers.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Coffs Harbour. This is a very car dependent area and public transit is very limit. While there are buses, the area is spread out and you need the freedom of having your own vehicle to explore.

Is Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Neither Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour are walkable places.

Ayutthaya is not a 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.

Coffs Harbour is not a very walkable city. Most visitors arrive with a car and you'll struggle to fully experience the area if you don't have your own form of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Both Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour than in Ayutthaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour.

One day in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the popular destination of Ayutthaya. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find nightlife and food around the vacation town of Coffs Harbour. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ayutthaya. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the fun destination of Coffs Harbour. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This vacation town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular destination of Ayutthaya. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the lively vacation town of Coffs Harbour. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this vacation town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this vacation town has to offer.

A week in Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Ayutthaya. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Coffs Harbour is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Coffs Harbour, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya is in Asia and Coffs Harbour is in Pacific, 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour 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 Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Coffs Harbour Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour, 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 Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour 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 Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Ayutthaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin January. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Coffs Harbourin January. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 20°C (67°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin April. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 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 Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Coffs Harbour. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

In January, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Coffs Harbourin July. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Coffs Harbourin July. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Coffs Harbour in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 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 Coffs Harbour and Ayutthaya