A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Krabi vs. Ayutthaya for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Krabi or Ayutthaya?

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 Krabi and Ayutthaya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a local, vibrant, and colorful town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ayutthaya

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

Krabi and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Ayutthaya?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ayutthaya. Although Krabi and Ayutthaya are both popular with visitors, Ayutthaya has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ayutthaya is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Krabi is known for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Krabi and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. It is also home to Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Krabi is popular for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Krabi different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Krabi or Ayutthaya.

Many visitors head to Krabi specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. In the area you'll find mountain top temples such as Wat Tham Suea and natural spots such as Khao Khanap Nam Cave. In town there's the stunning Wat Kaew Korawaram temple as well.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ayutthaya can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Krabi or Ayutthaya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Ayutthaya. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Krabi. It's not particularly known for its culinary scene, but Krabi Town does have great street food and a lively night market. For some of the best restaurants, head to Chao Fah Road.

Is Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Krabi and Ayutthaya.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Krabi. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Ayutthaya has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Is Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Krabi has a few resort options worth checking out. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a moderate town for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Krabi is a good spot to see the beach. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Krabi does not have a historic old town.

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.

Krabi does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Ayutthaya?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Krabi and Ayutthaya.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Krabi. The town's night market is fun to explore. There's also the popular Krabi Town Walking Street (where you'll find the night market) as well as some larger stores and small malls near town.

Ayutthaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Krabi 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.

Krabi is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town makes a great base for island hopping and exploring the province of Krabi. Nearby you'll find Krabi Fun Park, which includes a ropes course. There are also caves nearby to explore and plenty of stunning natural beauty.

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 Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

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

Krabi is a very popular place to visit for couples. There's easy access to many beautiful areas with caves, viewpoints, and beaches. Krabi Walking Street also has great restaurants and a lively night market.

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 Krabi or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Ayutthaya is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

It's common for backpackers to visit Krabi. The town has a more local vibe, as many backpackers head on to Ao Nang or Railay Beach. You'll find affordable accommodation here though, as well as easy access to some great excursions.

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

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Krabi and Ayutthaya.

Public transit is mostly limited in Krabi. There's no real public transit so you'll need to get around by rental car, motorbike, or songthaew truck (pickup trucks with seats in back).

Public transit is generally 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 Krabi or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

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

Krabi is somewhat walkable. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

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 Krabi Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Ayutthaya?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Krabi or Ayutthaya to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Krabi 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 Krabi, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ayutthaya.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ayutthaya than Krabi 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 Krabi or Ayutthaya?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Krabi. 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.

In Ayutthaya, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this popular destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Krabi or Ayutthaya?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Krabi. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ayutthaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Krabi or Ayutthaya?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant town of Krabi. 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.

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

A week in Krabi or Ayutthaya?

Krabi 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Ayutthaya, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Ayutthaya?

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

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

August to October in Krabi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Ayutthaya. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 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 Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Ayutthaya. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Krabi or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

Both Ayutthaya and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi 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 Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. 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 Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Ayutthaya during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Krabi is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krabi in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

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

December to March is the dry season in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in January than Ayutthaya. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 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. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun.

In January, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Ayutthaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi 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. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Krabi usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 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 Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. Krabi is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Krabi