A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanchanaburi vs. Can Tho for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

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 Can Tho. 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 educational, reflective, and somber town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a unique, fascinating, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Kanchanaburi and Can Tho: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

You'll generally find more things to do in Can Tho than Kanchanaburi. Can Tho is bigger than Kanchanaburi, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Kanchanaburi is well known for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks. Can Tho is well known for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market.

How is Kanchanaburi different from Can Tho?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Kanchanaburi and Can Tho.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Can Tho offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

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

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

Can Tho has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

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 Kanchanaburi or Can Tho Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kanchanaburi and Can Tho.

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.

Can Tho has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

Can Tho 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, Can Tho draws large crowds to its stores. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

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 Kanchanaburi or Can Tho Better for Families?

Can Tho 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, Can Tho is very family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

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 Kanchanaburi or Can Tho Better for Couples?

Can Tho is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Can Tho makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

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

Is Kanchanaburi or Can Tho Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Can Tho is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Can Tho. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

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

Kanchanaburi is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Can Tho is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Kanchanaburi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

Public transit is generally limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Is Kanchanaburi or Can Tho a more walkable city?

Kanchanaburi and Can Tho 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.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable town. The city center is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Can Tho or Kanchanaburi?

How long in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kanchanaburi than Can Tho 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 Can Tho.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho 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 Can Tho.

One day in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

In Kanchanaburi, you'll find nightlife 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.

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

A weekend in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

In Kanchanaburi, 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 Kanchanaburi has to offer.

Can Tho 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. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

Kanchanaburi 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Can Tho. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. 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 Can Tho?

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

Can Tho 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 Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Can Tho, we can see that Can Tho 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 Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho 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 Can Tho Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Can Tho?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Can Tho, 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 Can Tho?

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 Kanchanaburi or Can Tho in the Summer?

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

Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Kanchanaburi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Can Tho during summer. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 168 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Can Tho in the Autumn?

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

Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. Also, December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. May to November in Can Tho is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. Kanchanaburi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in October than Can Tho. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In the autumn, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Can Tho. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 158 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Can Tho. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Can Tho averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Can Tho in the Winter?

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

In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Can Tho. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Can Tho during winter. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kanchanaburi is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Can Tho in the Spring?

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

November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. December to April is the dry season in Can Tho. May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Can Tho. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Can Tho, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Can Tho. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 235 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Can Tho fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Can Tho and Kanchanaburi