A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Kanchanaburi for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Kanchanaburi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a educational, reflective, and somber town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Kanchanaburi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai than Kanchanaburi, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa. Kanchanaburi is popular for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Kanchanaburi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Kanchanaburi is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Kanchanaburi is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Kanchanaburi and Dubai.

Many visitors head to Dubai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kanchanaburi can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is most recognized for the Bridge on the River Kwai (Death Railway Bridge), which you can walk across or take a train across. The city also has the Thailand Burma Railway Center and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the Memorial Museum, Chungkai Cemetery, and the JEATH War Museum.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Kanchanaburi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubai is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Dubai has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kanchanaburi area. While food isn't the first thing that comes to mind here, you'll find markets with great street food as well as interesting riverside and floating restaurants. A local specialty that you should try is the gaeng paa pla khang (jungle curry). There are also western style restaurants if you need a break from the curry. Many visitors head to Mae Nam Khwae Road for most of their meals.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Dubai has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Kanchanaburi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The backpacker scene keeps the nightlife active. You'll find locals and tourists mingling along Maenam Kwai Road. You'll also find several clubs along Song Kwae Road.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Music?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Kanchanaburi is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Dubai. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Kanchanaburi is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Resorts?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kanchanaburi is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Dubai for its luxury resorts. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Kanchanaburi is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kanchanaburi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Kanchanaburi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a good destination for the beache. However, Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Dubai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Dubai draws large crowds to its stores. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Many visitors go to Kanchanaburi to go shopping. There are lively night markets, active walking streets, and independent vendors where you can pick up souvenirs or anything that you might need.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Families?

Dubai is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Dubai is very family-friendly. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kanchanaburi. Although most people think of "The Bridge over the River Kwai" when they think of Kanchanaburi, for families, there are actually a number of outdoor adventures in the area that kids will enjoy. Biking, hiking, and kayaking are all popular. The locals are also very friendly and welcoming to children.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Kanchanaburi are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Kanchanaburi is a nice destination for couples. It's an educational and informative place to visit, but there are also outdoor activities that couples can enjoy together.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanchanaburi is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Kanchanaburi is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from in the area, and like many places in Thailand, it is an affordable place to visit.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Students?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kanchanaburi is not popular with students.

Dubai is a very popular place to visit for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Kanchanaburi is not popular with students.

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubai and Kanchanaburi both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Kanchanaburi has a few public transit options. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

Is Dubai or Kanchanaburi a more walkable city?

Kanchanaburi is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Kanchanaburi is a somewhat walkable town. There is a Walking Street in the town that has restaurants and nightlife.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanchanaburi or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubai than Kanchanaburi 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 Dubai.

One day in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kanchanaburi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this reflective destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Dubai is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanchanaburi. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Kanchanaburi is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kanchanaburi. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Dubai is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. It's also a relaxing resort destination. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the somber destination of Kanchanaburi. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Kanchanaburi, 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 Dubai or Kanchanaburi?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Kanchanaburi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Kanchanaburi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kanchanaburi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Kanchanaburi. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.

Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Kanchanaburi. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Kanchanaburi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Dubai is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?

Both Kanchanaburi and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Dubai is January to March. In January, Dubai usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Dubai is cooler than Kanchanaburi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?

Both Kanchanaburi and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.

June to August is the dry season in Dubai. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Kanchanaburi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In April, Dubai is generally cooler than Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Dubai