A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hoi An vs. Ayutthaya for Food, Old Town, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Ayutthaya. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a peaceful, beautiful, and traditional town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a historical, cultural, and famous city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Hoi An and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hoi An. Although Hoi An and Ayutthaya are both popular with visitors, Hoi An has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hoi An is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Ayutthaya is known for its nightlife. Hoi An is popular for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. It is also home to the Fukian Assembly Hall. Ayutthaya is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok.

How is Hoi An different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Hoi An or Ayutthaya.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Hoi An. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

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.

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

Hoi An is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Hoi An is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

Ayutthaya has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is Hoi An or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

Ayutthaya is a good destination for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Hoi An or Ayutthaya Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a popular place for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Hoi An is a good option for a beach vacation. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The rich history of Hoi An can be explored in its historical center. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Hoi An is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Hoi An is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

Ayutthaya is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Hoi An or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Hoi An is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hoi An is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly town. 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 Hoi An or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

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

Hoi An is a very popular place to visit for couples. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in 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 Hoi An or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hoi An is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

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

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

Hoi An is a popular place for its public transit. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Hoi An has a few public transit options. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

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 Hoi An or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

Hoi An is a must-visit destination for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Hoi An on foot. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable town. 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 Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hoi An or Ayutthaya to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hoi An than Ayutthaya because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hoi An, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ayutthaya.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hoi An than Ayutthaya 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 Hoi An.

One day in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Hoi An. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful destination of Hoi An. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ayutthaya 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.

Five days in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the traditional town of Hoi An. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ayutthaya. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Hoi An is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the popular destination of Ayutthaya. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Ayutthaya, 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 Hoi An or Ayutthaya?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Hoi An or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Ayutthaya. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Ayutthaya. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hoi An this time of the year. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Ayutthaya. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun.

Hoi An is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Hoi An or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

Both Ayutthaya and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Ayutthaya during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Hoi An or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

Both Ayutthaya and Hoi An during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Ayutthaya. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun.

In January, Hoi An is generally cooler than Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Hoi An or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Ayutthaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Ayutthaya during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. Hoi An is cooler than Ayutthaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Hoi An