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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hiroshima? 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 famous, popular, and historical city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a park-filled, memorable, and meaningful city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ayutthaya and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Ayutthaya than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ayutthaya is more popular for its historical sights, while Hiroshima is known for its museums. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Hiroshima and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. It is also home to Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Hiroshima is popular for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Ayutthaya different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima that are not to be missed. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

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 Ayutthaya or Hiroshima? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ayutthaya and Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Is Ayutthaya or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Ayutthaya and Hiroshima.

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 Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Ayutthaya or Hiroshima Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a great city for its historic old town. However, Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

Both Ayutthaya and Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is well-known for its shopping. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Is Ayutthaya or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Hiroshima.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly city. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Ayutthaya or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Hiroshima make for a good 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.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Ayutthaya or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Ayutthaya is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

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

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

Public transit in Hiroshima is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

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 Hiroshima a more walkable city?

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

Hiroshima is very walkable. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

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 Hiroshima Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ayutthaya than Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ayutthaya. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ayutthaya has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Hiroshima. 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 Hiroshima?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the famous destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Hiroshima. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the famous city of Ayutthaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the meaningful city of Hiroshima. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

Ayutthaya is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Hiroshima is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Hiroshima, 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 Hiroshima?

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Hiroshima. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Hiroshima in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than Hiroshima. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Hiroshima. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

Both Hiroshima and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hiroshima because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Hiroshima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Hiroshima. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hiroshima in the Winter?

Both Hiroshima and Ayutthaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hiroshima this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hiroshima in the winter. In January, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Hiroshima. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Hiroshima. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hiroshima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Hiroshima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Hiroshima in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Hiroshima during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the spring.

Hiroshima receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Ayutthaya