A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Ayutthaya for Food, Old Town, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a young, vibrant, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a popular, historical, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Kaunas and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Ayutthaya than Kaunas. While Kaunas is larger than Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Ayutthaya is better known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Kaunas is more popular for its big city activities. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Also, Ayutthaya is famous for Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ayutthaya is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Ayutthaya is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Kaunas and Ayutthaya.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

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.

Is Kaunas or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ayutthaya. 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Both Kaunas and Ayutthaya are notable family-friendly destinations.

Kaunas is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly city. 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 Kaunas or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

Ayutthaya is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Ayutthaya is a good city for couples to visit. The historical ruins make an easy day trip from Bangkok, so couples who appreciate history and iconic temples will appreciate a visit here.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ayutthaya is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or Ayutthaya Better for Students?

Kaunas is a popular place for students. However, Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

Kaunas is a good city to visit for students. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

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

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

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

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 Kaunas or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

Kaunas is a popular place for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable city. 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 Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kaunas or Ayutthaya to fill your time. In our opinion, Ayutthaya has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ayutthaya than Kaunas. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Kaunas. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kaunas has to offer. 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 Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

You'll find food and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Kaunas. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city 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 Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Kaunas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

Kaunas is a popular choice for travelers. 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 cultural 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 Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, 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 Kaunas and Ayutthaya, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kaunas is in Europe and Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ayutthaya 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 Kaunas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaunas than you might in Ayutthaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Ayutthaya?

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

Should I visit Kaunas or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

Both Ayutthaya and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Kaunas is much colder than Ayutthaya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kaunas. Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Ayutthaya during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. In July, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

Both Ayutthaya and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

In October, Kaunas is generally much colder than Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Ayutthaya. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Ayutthaya. May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Should I visit Kaunas or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Ayutthaya. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. Kaunas is much colder than Ayutthaya in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Ayutthaya during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Ayutthaya. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than Ayutthaya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 31°C (88°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Ayutthaya. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. May to October in Ayutthaya is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Kaunas