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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Rockhampton?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Rockhampton? 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.

Rockhampton

Rockhampton is a charming, cultural, and natural town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Ayutthaya and Rockhampton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Rockhampton?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rockhampton than Ayutthaya. While Ayutthaya is larger than Rockhampton, Rockhampton has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rockhampton is better known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Ayutthaya is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Rockhampton and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Rockhampton is well known for its cultural centers and surrounding national parks. Also, Rockhampton is famous for the Rockhampton Heritage Village.

How is Ayutthaya different from Rockhampton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. While many people come for the area's natural beauty, there are also educational centers where you can learn about the indigenous culture. Make sure you visit the Dreamtime Cultural Centre as well as the Rockhampton Museum of Art. Also of interest are the Rockhampton Heritage Village and the Mount Morgan Historical Railway Museum.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Rockhampton 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.

Rockhampton has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Despite its small size, the food scene is surprisingly diverse. There are local cafes that offer local produce, waterfront restaurants that have great views, and casual international eateries, as well as low key pubs.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Ayutthaya and Rockhampton.

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 Rockhampton. It's a small place, but there are still a number of pubs and bars around town. Many visitors enjoy going to a coastal beach bar for the evening.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for Beaches?

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

Rockhampton is a good option for a beach vacation. The town is about 40 kilometers inland from the Capricorn Coast beaches.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rockhampton 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.

Rockhampton does not have a historic old town.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for Hiking?

Rockhampton is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Rockhampton is a popular spot for hiking. The area has several national parks that are perfect for an avid bush walker or anyone looking for an afternoon in nature. Whether you're interested in a day trip or overnight camping trip, there are many natural scenic areas nearby.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Rockhampton?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rockhampton 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.

Rockhampton is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping centers in town where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for Families?

Rockhampton is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Rockhampton is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the Rockhampton Heritage Village. You can also picnic and walk around the nearby Mount Etna Caves National Park or explore the Capricorn Caves which is about half an hour outside of town. Other kid-friendly places include Kershaw Gardens and Rockhampton Botanic Gardens.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for Couples?

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

Rockhampton is a very popular place to visit for couples. Near several great national parks and interesting outdoor settings, this is a wonderful couple's destination. There are sunset cruises and beautiful gardens as well as wellness spas and great food and wine.

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 Rockhampton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rockhampton 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.

Rockhampton is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area as well as a low key backpacker scene.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton Better for Students?

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

Rockhampton is a good town to visit for students. The city has universities that attract an international crowd. It's a friendly setting that welcomes cultural diversity.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Rockhampton offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Rockhampton. There are regional buses operated by Sunbus.

Is Ayutthaya or Rockhampton a more walkable city?

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

Rockhampton is somewhat walkable. It's fun to explore the Riverside Precinct 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 Rockhampton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rockhampton or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Rockhampton?

It's fun to spend time in either Ayutthaya or Rockhampton. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rockhampton due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 2-4 days is enough time in Rockhampton.

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular city of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rockhampton. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rockhampton?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the famous destination of Ayutthaya. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Rockhampton. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Rockhampton?

The cultural city of Ayutthaya offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural town of Rockhampton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ayutthaya or Rockhampton?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ayutthaya. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Rockhampton is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Sydney, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and Rockhampton, we can see that Rockhampton is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya is in Asia and Rockhampton is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Rockhampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Rockhampton?

Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Rockhampton. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton?

Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton in the Summer?

Both Rockhampton 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. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rockhampton this time of year.

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

Rockhampton 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 July as Rockhamptonin January. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Rockhampton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Rockhampton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rockhampton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Rockhampton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in April.

Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin April. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 51 mm (2 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 Rockhampton in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Rockhampton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Rockhamptonin July. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Rockhampton in the Spring?

Both Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Rockhamptonin October. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In April, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin October. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 47 mm (1.9 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 Rockhampton and Ayutthaya