A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Ayutthaya for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang 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.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a vibrant, high energy, and coastal city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a famous, popular, and historical city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nha Trang and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

Both Ayutthaya and Nha Trang have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Nha Trang is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Ayutthaya attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Nha Trang is famous for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Ayutthaya is famous for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok.

How is Nha Trang different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nha Trang. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

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

Ayutthaya is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nha Trang is a world class party destination. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

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 Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a popular place for its resorts. However, Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Nha Trang has a handful of resorts to choose from. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is a moderate city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang is a popular place for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a great city for its old town. However, Nha Trang does not have a 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.

Nha Trang does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Nha Trang to go shopping. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Nha Trang 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.

Nha Trang is a very family-friendly place to visit. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

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 Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

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

Nha Trang is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

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 Nha Trang or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nha Trang and Ayutthaya are superb places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

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.

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

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

Nha Trang has a few public transit options. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

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 Nha Trang or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is notable for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Nha Trang is very walkable. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

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 Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nha Trang. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ayutthaya. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ayutthaya has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Nha Trang. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the famous destination of Ayutthaya. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Nha Trang. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the famous city of Ayutthaya. 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.

A week in Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

Nha Trang 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.

Ayutthaya 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, 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 Nha Trang and Ayutthaya, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Ayutthaya?

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

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

January to August is the dry season in Nha Trang. September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in July than Ayutthaya. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 28°C (82°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Ayutthaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

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

Also, January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Nha Trang usually gets more rain in January than Ayutthaya. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nha Trang in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

Both Ayutthaya and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang 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. In April, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In April, Nha Trang is generally cooler than Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Nha Trang