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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Matsue? 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 cultural, famous, and popular city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue

Matsue is a pretty, serene, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Ayutthaya and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Matsue?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Ayutthaya than Matsue. While Matsue is larger than Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Ayutthaya is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Matsue attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Matsue 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. Matsue is famous for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Ayutthaya different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Matsue have excellent 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 Matsue specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Matsue 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.

Matsue has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Ayutthaya or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Ayutthaya is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Ayutthaya has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Ayutthaya or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its old town. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Matsue?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Ayutthaya or Matsue Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Matsue.

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.

Matsue is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Ayutthaya or Matsue Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Matsue 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.

Matsue makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Ayutthaya or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

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

Public transit in Matsue is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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 Matsue a more walkable city?

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

Matsue is very walkable. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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 Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Matsue?

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

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

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

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 Matsue. 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 Matsue?

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 food around the historic destination of Matsue. 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 Matsue?

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 food and shopping when visiting the serene town of Matsue. 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 Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical 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.

Matsue 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Ayutthaya and Matsue, we can see that Matsue is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ayutthaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during summer. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Matsue. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Matsue. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in October than Matsue. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 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.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 25°C (78°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In January, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Matsue. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Ayutthaya during the spring 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 Matsue for the natural beauty.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ayutthaya in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 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.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Ayutthaya