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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kanazawa? 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.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a historic, cultural, and well-preserved city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ayutthaya and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Kanazawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Ayutthaya than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Kanazawa 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. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens.

How is Ayutthaya different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Kanazawa have great 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 Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Kanazawa offer a number of great 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.

Kanazawa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

Is Ayutthaya or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Ayutthaya and Kanazawa.

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 Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Ayutthaya or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is great for its historic old town. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Many people head to Kanazawa to see the old town. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Kanazawa?

Both Ayutthaya and Kanazawa are great 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.

Kanazawa is well-known for its shopping. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Is Ayutthaya or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Kanazawa.

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.

Kanazawa is a family-friendly city. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Ayutthaya or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Is Ayutthaya or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Ayutthaya or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a popular place for students. However, Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

Kanazawa is a good city to visit for students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

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

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

Kanazawa has a few public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

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 Kanazawa a more walkable city?

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

Kanazawa is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

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 Kanazawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Kanazawa?

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

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

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

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 city of Kanazawa. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kanazawa has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Kanazawa?

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 well-preserved destination of Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa?

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 well-preserved city of Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa?

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.

Kanazawa 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 Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa?

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Kanazawa. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Kanazawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

Both Kanazawa 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, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 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 Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa 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. Also, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. In January, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kanazawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 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 Kanazawa and Ayutthaya