Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Ayutthaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ayutthaya or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hongcun? 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.
Where Should I go: Ayutthaya or Hongcun?
Ayutthaya
Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAyutthaya $62Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Ayutthaya is $62, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ayutthaya and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAyutthaya $21Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAyutthaya $42Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya or Hongcun? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ayutthaya $27Hongcun $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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River Ferry Crossing$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ayutthaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ayutthaya:
- Transfer from Bangkok: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Ayutthaya or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Ayutthaya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAyutthaya $20Hongcun $19
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$3.82
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Ice Cream$0.82
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Breakfast for 2$3.82
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Breakfast for 2$9.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ayutthaya
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ayutthaya.
- Bangkok: VELA Dinner Cruise Ticket: $19
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ayutthaya $27Hongcun $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Temple Entrances (2)$5.46
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Wat Entrance$1.36
Tours and Activities in Ayutthaya
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ayutthaya are as follows:
- Ayutthaya City and Historical Park Bike Tour: $35
- AYUTTHAYA : Private Car Rental & Customize Tour with Driver: $49
- The Incredible Ayutthaya Ancient Temple Tour: $51
- Colors of UNESCO Heritage 6 hour Bicycle Tour: $54
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Day Tour Small Group: $57
- Ayutthaya 1-day Private Tour : UNESCO World Heritage Site: $141
- From Bangkok: Tour Ayutthaya + Lunch + Spanish guide: $146
- Ancient City Temple Tour: $162
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Full Day Private Guided Tour: $350
- Ayutthaya’s Heritage Revealed A Day Tour from Bangkok: $632
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAyutthaya $18Hongcun $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and Hongcun, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ayutthaya or Hongcun?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?
Both Hongcun and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.
In July, Ayutthaya is generally around the same temperature as Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In July, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAyutthaya 29°C (84°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun 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.
Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Hongcun in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in October than Hongcun. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAyutthaya 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hongcun in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.
It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In the winter, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Hongcun averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In January, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAyutthaya 25°C (78°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Hongcun. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in April than Hongcun. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAyutthaya 31°C (88°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Ayutthaya
| Ayutthaya | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (78°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (85°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 292 mm (11.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.