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

Should you visit Bangkok or Matsue?

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 Matsue 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.

Matsue

Matsue is a quiet, peaceful, and pretty town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bangkok and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangkok or Matsue?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bangkok than Matsue. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bangkok is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue attracts visitors for its historical sights. Bangkok is famous for its colorful temples, lively markets, wild nightlife, and sprawling shopping malls. It is also well known for The Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw. Matsue is famous for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Bangkok different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bangkok is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Matsue 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Bangkok is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Bangkok have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Bangkok or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Bangkok is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Bangkok is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Bangkok or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Matsue to see the historical old town. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Bangkok does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangkok or Matsue?

Bangkok is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Bangkok or Matsue Better for Families?

Bangkok is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue 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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Bangkok or Matsue Better for Couples?

Bangkok is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Bangkok is a great capital city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Matsue is a good capital city for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Bangkok or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bangkok is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue 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 backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue 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 Matsue is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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 Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is a great destination for its walkability. However, Bangkok is a capital city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Matsue is very walkable. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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 Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Bangkok?

How long in Bangkok or Matsue?

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

Families should spend more time in Bangkok than Matsue. 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 Matsue. 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 Matsue 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 Matsue?

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 Matsue, you'll find museums and food. This town 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 Matsue?

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 Matsue, you'll find food 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 Matsue has to offer.

Five days in Bangkok or Matsue?

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.

Matsue 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 Matsue?

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 Matsue. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Matsue. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Matsue?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue 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, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

In the summer, Bangkok is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangkok in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. Bangkok usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during summer. Bangkok gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In July, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Matsue. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bangkok or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue 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. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bangkok is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 28°C (83°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Bangkok. In the autumn, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Bangkok gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

Matsue 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 Matsue. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 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 Matsue in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. Bangkok is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bangkok usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Bangkok gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Matsue. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Bangkok is the dry season.

Should I visit Bangkok or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Matsue. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bangkok is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangkok in April average around 31°C (87°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°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 Matsue. Bangkok gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Bangkok usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Bangkok