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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Nagasaki?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Nagasaki? 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 historical, cultural, and famous city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a welcoming, interesting, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ayutthaya and Nagasaki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Nagasaki?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nagasaki than Ayutthaya. Nagasaki is bigger than Ayutthaya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nagasaki is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Ayutthaya is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Nagasaki and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Nagasaki is well known for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. Also, Nagasaki is famous for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.

How is Ayutthaya different from Nagasaki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Nagasaki Peace Park is a moving tribute to those lost during the atomic bomb attack. Other sights around town include the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Kofukuji Temple, and Huis Ten Bosch.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Nagasaki 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.

Nagasaki has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a cosmopolitan cuisine which has been influenced by China and several Western cuisines. Popular local dishes include Chanpon (a noodle dish), Sara Udon (meat, vegetables, and noodles), and Kakuni Manju (pork belly on a dough bun).

Is Ayutthaya or Nagasaki Better for Nightlife?

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

Nagasaki has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

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 Nagasaki Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Nagasaki does not have a historic 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.

Nagasaki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Nagasaki?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ayutthaya. 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.

Nagasaki is a great destination for shopping. Head to the waterfront for the best shopping opportunities. You'll find everything from malls to souvenir shops around town. You'll also find traditional market streets which are known as shōtengai.

Is Ayutthaya or Nagasaki Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Nagasaki.

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.

Nagasaki is a family-friendly city. Check out Agiruno Oka Park, which has a small farm and other recreational activities. There are also several kid-friendly museums like the Nagasaki City Science Museum and the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. There are also many parks and playgrounds as well as the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

Is Ayutthaya or Nagasaki Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Nagasaki make for a notable 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.

Nagasaki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a unique cuisine with good restaurants. There are also many parks where couples can take a stroll, as well as relaxing hot springs nearby.

Is Ayutthaya or Nagasaki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Ayutthaya. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Nagasaki is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

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

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

Public transit in Nagasaki is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

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 Nagasaki a more walkable city?

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

Nagasaki is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city can be explored by foot. The downtown is about a kilometer from Nagasaki Station and the Peace Park is several kilometers in the other direction from the 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 Nagasaki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagasaki or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Nagasaki?

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

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

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

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 Nagasaki. 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 Nagasaki?

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 welcoming destination of Nagasaki. 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 Nagasaki?

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 interesting city of Nagasaki. 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 Nagasaki?

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.

Nagasaki 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Nagasaki?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Nagasaki, 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 Nagasaki?

Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki in the Summer?

Both Nagasaki and Ayutthaya during the summer 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 city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.

In July, Ayutthaya is generally around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than Nagasaki. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 197 hours of full sun.

Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Nagasaki. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Nagasaki in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Nagasaki. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Nagasaki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Nagasaki during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Nagasaki. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Nagasaki in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Nagasaki. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nagasaki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Nagasaki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 7°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Nagasaki. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Nagasaki in the Spring?

Both Nagasaki and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city during these months.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Nagasaki during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October.

Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Ayutthaya