A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Taiyuan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Taiyuan?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Taiyuan? 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.

Where Should I go: Ayutthaya or Taiyuan?

Ayutthaya

Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.

Taiyuan

With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.


Which place is cheaper, Taiyuan or Ayutthaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ayutthaya is $86, while the average daily cost in Taiyuan is $106. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ayutthaya and Taiyuan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ayutthaya $24
    Taiyuan $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ayutthaya $48
    Taiyuan $86
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and Taiyuan

Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya or Taiyuan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Ayutthaya


Hotels in Taiyuan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ayutthaya $29
    Taiyuan $48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • River Ferry Crossing
    $0.63

Is it cheaper to fly into Ayutthaya or Taiyuan?

Prices for flights to both Taiyuan and Ayutthaya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ayutthaya $39
    Taiyuan $36
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $4.40
  • Ice Cream
    $0.94
  • Breakfast for 2
    $4.40
  • Breakfast for 2
    $11

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ayutthaya $31
    Taiyuan $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Temple Entrances (2)
    $6.28
  • Wat Entrance
    $1.57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ayutthaya $21
    Taiyuan $6.41


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


Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Taiyuan?

Taiyuan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Taiyuan, 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.

Related Articles for Ayutthaya
Related Articles for Taiyuan