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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a natural, relaxing, and breathtaking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Katoomba is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Katoomba travel costs.

Sukhothai and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Katoomba?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sukhothai. Although Sukhothai and Katoomba are both popular with visitors, Sukhothai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sukhothai is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Katoomba is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Katoomba is more touristy than Sukhothai and is popular for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. Sukhothai is popular for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam. It is also home to Wat Si Chom in the Sukhothai Historical Park.

How is Sukhothai different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sukhothai is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sukhothai. 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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Sukhothai is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sukhothai makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Katoomba 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.

Katoomba has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Katoomba does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Katoomba does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is an amazing town to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Katoomba?

Sukhothai is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sukhothai is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba More Beautiful?

Katoomba is an amazing town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Katoomba is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's a town surrounded by natural beauty. It offers easy access to breathtaking views and impressive hikes through the Blue Mountains.

Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Katoomba is one of the most popular family destinations. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba Better for Couples?

Katoomba is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Katoomba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

Sukhothai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who want to get away from the tourist crowds, this cultural and historical area is filled with temples and interesting sights.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Katoomba is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

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 Katoomba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Sukhothai and Katoomba.

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

You'll find some public transit in Katoomba, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Sukhothai or Katoomba a more walkable city?

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

Katoomba is somewhat walkable. The town itself is relatively 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 Katoomba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Sukhothai or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sukhothai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

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

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

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

One day in Sukhothai or Katoomba?

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.

Even though Katoomba is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Katoomba?

Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Katoomba. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sukhothai is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Katoombain January. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sukhothai is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sukhothai in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 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 Katoomba in the Winter?

Both Katoomba 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. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

In January, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 25°C (77°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Katoombain July. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

It's very hot in Sukhothai this time of the year. Sukhothai is much warmer than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Katoombain October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 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 Katoomba and Sukhothai