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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Yokohama?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Yokohama? 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. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a bright, colorful, and under-rated city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ayutthaya and Yokohama: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Yokohama?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yokohama than Ayutthaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Yokohama is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Ayutthaya is known for its historical sights. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Yokohama and is known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Yokohama is popular for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also home to the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Ayutthaya different from Yokohama?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Yokohama have very good 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 Yokohama specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Yokohama offer a number of very good 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.

Yokohama has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Is Ayutthaya or Yokohama Better for Nightlife?

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

Yokohama has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

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 Yokohama Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is well known for its historic old town. However, Yokohama does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Ayutthaya to see the historical old town. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Yokohama does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Yokohama?

Both Ayutthaya and Yokohama are very good 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.

Yokohama is well-known for its shopping. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Is Ayutthaya or Yokohama Better for Families?

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

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Yokohama is a very family-friendly destination. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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 Yokohama Better for Couples?

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

Yokohama is a very popular place to visit for couples. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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 Yokohama Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is well known for backpackers. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Ayutthaya. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Yokohama is a good city to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Ayutthaya or Yokohama Better for Students?

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

Yokohama is a good city to visit for students. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

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

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

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

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 Yokohama a more walkable city?

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

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

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 Yokohama Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yokohama or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Yokohama?

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

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

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

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

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.

People visit Yokohama because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Yokohama has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Yokohama?

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.

People visit Yokohama because there is so much to do. 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 Yokohama?

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 diverse city of Yokohama. 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 Yokohama?

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.

Yokohama 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 Tours for Seniors to Japan, and The Best Contiki Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Yokohama?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Yokohama, 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 Yokohama?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Yokohama. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yokohama in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Yokohama in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Yokohama fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during summer. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

Yokohama 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 Yokohama. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Yokohama in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Yokohama. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Yokohama. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Yokohama averages at about 18°C (64°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 Yokohama. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 129 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Yokohama. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 175 mm (6.9 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 Yokohama in the Winter?

Both Yokohama 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 winter months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during winter. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Yokohama. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Yokohama in the Spring?

Both Yokohama 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. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Yokohama in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Yokohama fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 161 hours of full sun.

Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in April than Yokohama. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 145 mm (5.7 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 Yokohama and Ayutthaya