A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Sukhothai vs. Ayutthaya for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai and Ayutthaya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a historical, cultural, and under-rated city. 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.

Sukhothai and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ayutthaya. Although Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are both popular with visitors, Ayutthaya has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Sukhothai 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. Sukhothai is popular for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Many visitors head to Sukhothai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Although many visitors overlook Sukhothai, the Sukhothai Historical Park is one of the area's most impressive historical and cultural sights. There are countless historical landmarks both within the old walled city and in the surrounding area.

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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Ayutthaya can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sukhothai. Tourists visit specifically to try the area's famed spicy noodle dish - kuaytiaw Sukhothai. The city is filled with a range of dining options, from noodle joints to Thai eateries, as well as tourist-friendly restaurants.

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.

Is Sukhothai or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sukhothai. This is more of a historical area than a nightlife destination, but you'll find tourist-oriented bars where you can grab a cold beer, or local cafes with live music.

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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Sukhothai. The Sukhothai Historical Park is an impressive World Heritage Site. There are 21 historical sites and four large ponds within the old walls. Outside of the walls there are another 70 sites within a 5 kilometer radius.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sukhothai. There are a number of markets and handicraft studios nearby. Check out Tra Phang Thong Market for local foods and products or Suntree Thai Weaving for handwoven items. There's also Suthep Sangkalok where you'll find traditional ceramics.

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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Sukhothai or Ayutthaya.

Sukhothai is a family-friendly city. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and other nearby temples. The less touristy side of this area makes it great for families who need a break from Thailand's tourist crowds. It's also a fun place to explore by bike.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ayutthaya. 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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Sukhothai is a nice destination for couples. For couples who want to get away from the tourist crowds, this cultural and historical area is filled with temples and interesting sights.

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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai. For many backpackers, its not part of the typical Southeast Asian tourist trail, but for some, that is the appeal.

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

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

Sukhothai has a few public transit options. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the 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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

Sukhothai is a moderate city for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Sukhothai is generally not very walkable. This isn't the most walkable area, and the historical sites are spread out so you'll really need a bike, motorbike, or some other form of transportation to get around.

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 Sukhothai Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

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

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sukhothai. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the world class destination of Sukhothai. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural 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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Sukhothai. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural 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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

Sukhothai 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.

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 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 Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Ayutthaya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in July than Ayutthaya. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Sukhothai or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

Both Ayutthaya and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May 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 Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Ayutthaya during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sukhothai in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

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

Sukhothai usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ayutthaya. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 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 Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Sukhothai or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

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

October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 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 Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. It's very hot in Sukhothai this time of the year. Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Sukhothai