A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Darwin for Attractions, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Darwin?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Darwin? 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 popular, historical, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Darwin

Darwin is a tropical, multicultural, and authentic town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Ayutthaya and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Darwin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ayutthaya. Although Ayutthaya and Darwin are popular destinations, Ayutthaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ayutthaya is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Darwin attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Darwin and is known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. It is also well known for Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Ayutthaya different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Darwin 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 Darwin?

Ayutthaya is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ayutthaya can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Ayutthaya is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Ayutthaya. 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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Ayutthaya or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Ayutthaya and Darwin.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Ayutthaya. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Ayutthaya or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a popular place for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Darwin is a good option for a beach vacation. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is notable for its old town. However, Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Ayutthaya to see the historical old town. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Ayutthaya or Darwin Better for Hiking?

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

Darwin is a popular spot for hiking. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Darwin?

Ayutthaya is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Ayutthaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Ayutthaya or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin 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.

Darwin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Darwin make for a nice place to visit.

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.

Darwin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Ayutthaya or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is notable for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ayutthaya is a great city to visit for backpackers. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Darwin is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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

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

Darwin has a few public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

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 Ayutthaya or Darwin a more walkable city?

Darwin is a popular place for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Darwin is somewhat walkable. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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 Ayutthaya Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ayutthaya and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Darwin than in Ayutthaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

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

One day in Ayutthaya or Darwin?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Darwin?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the tropical destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Darwin?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the tropical town of Darwin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ayutthaya or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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.

Darwin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin 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 Darwin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Darwin?

Darwin has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

Both Darwin and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ayutthaya is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ayutthaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F)in January.

Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Darwin during summer. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In July, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Ayutthaya during the autumn 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 Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Ayutthaya is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin April. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the autumn, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Ayutthaya. May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ayutthaya is around the same temperature as Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 25°C (78°F) in January, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Darwin. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ayutthaya in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the spring, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Darwinin October. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. May to October in Ayutthaya is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Ayutthaya