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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Darwin?

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

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a historical, cultural, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Darwin travel costs.

Sukhothai and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Darwin?

Both Darwin and Sukhothai have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Sukhothai is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Darwin attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Sukhothai is famous for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Sukhothai different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sukhothai is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sukhothai can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Sukhothai is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Darwin have nice 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.

Darwin has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is very good for its beaches. However, Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Darwin to enjoy the beach. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is notable for its old town. However, Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Sukhothai to see the historical old town. 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.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Darwin?

Sukhothai is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Sukhothai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin 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.

Darwin is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Darwin are nice 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.

Darwin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sukhothai and Darwin are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Sukhothai is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. For many backpackers, its not part of the typical Southeast Asian tourist trail, but for some, that is the appeal.

It's common for backpackers to visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Sukhothai and Darwin.

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

You'll find some public transit in Darwin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Sukhothai or Darwin a more walkable city?

Darwin is very good for its walkability. However, Sukhothai is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Darwin is somewhat walkable. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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 Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sukhothai and Darwin. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sukhothai than Darwin. 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 Sukhothai than Darwin 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 Sukhothai.

One day in Sukhothai or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sukhothai. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Darwin?

Sukhothai 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the tropical destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Five days in Sukhothai or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sukhothai. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the multicultural town of Darwin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Sukhothai. 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.

Darwin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin 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 Darwin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Darwin?

Darwin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Darwin. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F)in January.

In the summer, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Darwinin January. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin April. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Darwin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin 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. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin 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 Darwin during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Darwinin October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Sukhothai