A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Brisbane for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Sukhothai or Brisbane?

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 Brisbane can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a world class, historical, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Brisbane travel costs.

Sukhothai and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Sukhothai, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Brisbane is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Sukhothai is more popular for its food and historical sights. Sukhothai is well known for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre.

How is Sukhothai different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brisbane 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 Brisbane?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Sukhothai or Brisbane.

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 Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Is the Food Better in Sukhothai or Brisbane? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sukhothai is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sukhothai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Brisbane has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Sukhothai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sukhothai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Sukhothai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Brisbane is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is great for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

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.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is very good for its hiking trails. However, Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Brisbane. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Sukhothai and Brisbane.

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.

Brisbane is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Families?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sukhothai. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Brisbane are notable 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.

Brisbane makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Brisbane is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

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 Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sukhothai is not popular with students.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Sukhothai is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Sukhothai and Brisbane.

Sukhothai has some public transit options. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the town.

You'll find some public transit in Brisbane, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Sukhothai or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Sukhothai is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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.

For even more information, also check out Is Sukhothai Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sukhothai and Brisbane. In our opinion, Brisbane has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Brisbane than Sukhothai. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.

One day in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

The city of Sukhothai offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Brisbane. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A weekend in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Sukhothai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sukhothai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the cultural destination of Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Sukhothai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the diverse coastal city of Brisbane. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Sukhothai is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Brisbane is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Sukhothai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sukhothai is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, 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 Sukhothai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sukhothai 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane than you might in Sukhothai.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Brisbane?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Brisbane, 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 Brisbane?

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

Should I visit Sukhothai or Brisbane in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In July, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Brisbanein January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Brisbane in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Brisbane. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Sukhothai is a little warmer than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein April. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Brisbanein April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. May to October in Sukhothai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Brisbane in the Winter?

Both Brisbane and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sukhothai is much warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Brisbane in the Spring?

Both Brisbane and Sukhothai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein October. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Brisbanein October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Sukhothai. May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Sukhothai