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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kamakura? 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a ancient, quaint, and charming coastal city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Ayutthaya and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura than Ayutthaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kamakura is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Ayutthaya is known for its historical sights and shopping. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Kamakura and is known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Kamakura is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also home to the Great Buddha.

How is Ayutthaya different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Kamakura have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Ayutthaya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Kamakura specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Kamakura offer a number of high quality 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.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Ayutthaya or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

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

Kamakura has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura Better for Beaches?

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

Kamakura is a good option for a beach vacation. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a well-known place for its historic old town. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Is Ayutthaya or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Kamakura is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

Ayutthaya is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Ayutthaya or Kamakura Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Kamakura.

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.

Kamakura is a family-friendly city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Ayutthaya or Kamakura Better for Couples?

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

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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 Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

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

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

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 Kamakura a more walkable city?

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

Kamakura is somewhat walkable. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached 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 Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ayutthaya or Kamakura to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamakura has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamakura than Ayutthaya. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

The city of Ayutthaya offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

Ayutthaya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ayutthaya, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

Ayutthaya is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint coastal city of Kamakura. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

Ayutthaya is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

Kamakura 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 Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura 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, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Kamakura in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In July, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the autumn, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kamakura. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 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 Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Kamakura. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Kamakura in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the spring, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 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 Kamakura and Ayutthaya