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

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Atami?

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 Kanchanaburi and Atami. 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.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a somber, informative, and educational town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Kanchanaburi travel costs.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Atami travel costs.

Kanchanaburi and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

Both Atami and Kanchanaburi have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Kanchanaburi is better known for its museums and attractions, while Atami is more popular for its beaches. Kanchanaburi is more touristy than Atami and is known for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Kanchanaburi different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kanchanaburi is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kanchanaburi. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kanchanaburi and Atami can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Kanchanaburi has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Kanchanaburi or Atami Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kanchanaburi and Atami.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kanchanaburi. 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.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Kanchanaburi or Atami Better for Beaches?

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

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kanchanaburi and Atami.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kanchanaburi. There are lively night markets, active walking streets, and independent vendors where you can pick up souvenirs or anything that you might need.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Kanchanaburi or Atami Better for Families?

Both Kanchanaburi and Atami are notable family-friendly destinations.

Kanchanaburi is a family-friendly town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Kanchanaburi or Atami Better for Couples?

Kanchanaburi and Atami both notable destinations for a couple.

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

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Kanchanaburi or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanchanaburi and Atami are both notable destinations for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Kanchanaburi and Atami.

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

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Kanchanaburi or Atami a more walkable city?

Kanchanaburi and Atami are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Atami or Kanchanaburi?

How long in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

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

One day in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

In Kanchanaburi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this educational 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.

In Atami, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this authentic town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

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.

Atami is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the overlooked destination of Atami. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kanchanaburi or Atami?

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.

Atami is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami 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 Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Atami?

Kanchanaburi has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Atami, 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 Kanchanaburi or Atami?

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

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Atami during summer. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Atami. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Kanchanaburi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the autumn, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Atami. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Atami in the Winter?

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

In January, Kanchanaburi is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Atami during winter. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Atami. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Atami in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Atami. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches.

It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In the spring, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Atami and Kanchanaburi