A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangkok vs. Bilbao for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bangkok or Bilbao?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Bilbao can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a cultural, alluring, and spirited capital city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Bangkok and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bangkok than Bilbao. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bangkok is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao attracts visitors for its historical sights. Bangkok is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its colorful temples, lively markets, wild nightlife, and sprawling shopping malls. It is also well known for The Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bangkok different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao and Bangkok. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bangkok is an amazing capital city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Bangkok are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with golden temples and beautiful statues of Buddha. Famous landmarks include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Temple of the Golden Buddha.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Is the Food Better in Bangkok or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bangkok is an amazing capital city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Bangkok, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has many colorful markets, street food vendors, and a range of restaurants from casual to high end. The aroma and beautiful flavors of local dishes are a big part of the experience in this city. Dishes that you must try include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (shrimp soup), and Gaeng Daeng (red curry). Many foods are very spicy so make sure you order with "no spice" if that is your preference.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bangkok is an amazing capital city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Bangkok has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Cheap drinks, late nights, and crazy parties make this city a favorite for backpackers and young party-goers. Head to Khao San Road for the biggest crowds and crazy parties. Nana Plaza is another option with a three story building that is filled with bars and clubs.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Bangkok does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bilbao to see the historical old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Bangkok does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bangkok is an amazing capital city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Bangkok make it a world-class shopping destination. Shopping options range from modern malls to more traditional markets. The malls offer bargain prices for technology and gadgets while the markets offer fabric, food, local goods, and a unique experience. The city also has nearby floating markets as well as night markets, which let you experience a different side to the culture.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for Families?

Bangkok is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bangkok is a very kid-friendly capital city. This city is full of energy and kids will love the vibrant atmosphere. There are colorful temples, spirited markets, and kid-friendly museums. It's good to choose a hotel with a pool, as temperatures can get hot during the day. Kids will also enjoy having new experiences like riding in a tuk tuk or taking a boat ride. There are also a number of amusement parks and entertainment centers around town.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Bangkok is an amazing capital city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Bangkok is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This is a great city for couples who enjoy culture, food, partying, and soaking up life. Wandering the grounds of the stunning temples, sampling food at the markets, or taking a boat cruise will all make memorable experiences.

Bilbao is a good capital city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bangkok is an amazing capital city to visit for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bangkok. This part of the world is a mecca for backpackers, and many arrive or depart from this city. It's filled with hostels and budget accommodation, as well as entertainment, bars, tours (and even scams so stay alert). The most famous backpacker area is around Khao San Road, where you'll find parties, bars, street food, and large crowds. If you're looking for a slightly more mellow vibe, you should consider a different area like Phaya Thai.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a city with good options for students. However, Bangkok is not popular with students.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Bangkok is not popular with students.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bilbao is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Bangkok is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bilbao is fairly effecient and thorough. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

While Bangkok offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Skytrain and Metro are the most efficient way to get around. The city's crazy traffic can make buses and taxis a bit frustrating, but tuk tuks are also a fun option.

Is Bangkok or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Bangkok is a capital city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Bilbao is somewhat walkable. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

Bangkok is generally not a very walkable capital city. The crowds and size make walking a bit challenging, so it's best to plan your day in advance.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangkok Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Bangkok?

How long in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bangkok and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bangkok than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Bangkok, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bangkok than Bilbao 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 Bangkok.

One day in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bangkok is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bilbao, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bangkok 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.

In Bilbao, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bilbao has to offer.

Five days in Bangkok or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangkok. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bilbao is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bangkok is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This capital city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bilbao. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok is in Asia and Bilbao is in Europe, 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Bangkok.

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

Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Bilbao, 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 Bangkok or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bangkok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bangkok or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bangkok is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangkok in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Bangkok usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao during summer. Bangkok gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In July, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bangkok or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Bangkok during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bangkok is generally much warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 28°C (83°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Bangkok. In the autumn, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Bangkok gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually gets more rain in October than Bilbao. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Bangkok. May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.

Should I visit Bangkok or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Bilbao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months.

Bangkok is much warmer than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bangkok usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Bangkok gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Bangkok is the dry season.

Should I visit Bangkok or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Bilbao. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bangkok is much warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangkok in April average around 31°C (87°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bangkok this time of the year. In the spring, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Bangkok gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Bangkok usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Bangkok