A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Phuket vs. Ayutthaya for Nightlife, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Phuket or Ayutthaya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Ayutthaya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a party-hard, stunning, and activity-filled resort island. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a cultural, famous, and popular city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Phuket and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Ayutthaya?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Phuket. Although Phuket and Ayutthaya are about the same size, Phuket has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Phuket is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Ayutthaya attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Phuket is famous for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also well known for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Ayutthaya is famous for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok.

How is Phuket different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

Phuket 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.

Phuket is a world class party destination. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

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 Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Resorts?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Phuket is a great choice. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Phuket. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Beaches?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Phuket. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its old town. However, Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Ayutthaya to see the historical old town. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Phuket and Ayutthaya are both nice destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Ayutthaya offers lots of family activities. 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 Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

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

Phuket is a very popular place to visit for couples. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

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 Phuket or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

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

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

Phuket has a few public transit options. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

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 Phuket or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

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

Phuket is somewhat walkable. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable resort island. 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 Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Ayutthaya?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Ayutthaya to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Ayutthaya because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ayutthaya.

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

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

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Phuket. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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 Phuket or Ayutthaya?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the party-hard destination of Phuket. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island 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 Phuket or Ayutthaya?

You'll find nightlife and food around the stunning resort island of Phuket. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

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 Phuket or Ayutthaya?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, one week is sufficent for most. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Ayutthaya?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Ayutthaya?

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 Phuket or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

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

Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Ayutthaya during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Phuket or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

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

Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Also, October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. May to October in Ayutthaya is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Ayutthaya. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. In the autumn, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

Both Ayutthaya and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket 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 Phuket is December to March. In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Phuket is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

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

June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. October to April is the dry season in Ayutthaya. May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Ayutthaya. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Phuket