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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Kobe?

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 Kobe 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.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Kobe travel costs.

Sukhothai and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Kobe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kobe than Sukhothai, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kobe is better known for its big city activities, while Sukhothai is more popular for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Sukhothai is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam. Kobe is well known for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. Also, Kobe is famous for Kobe Harborland.

How is Sukhothai different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sukhothai is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Kobe can be difficult as they are each high quality 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 Kobe. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Is Sukhothai or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Kobe have notable 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.

Kobe has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Sukhothai or Kobe Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is great for its historic old town charm. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Kobe?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Sukhothai and Kobe.

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.

Kobe is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Is Sukhothai or Kobe Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Sukhothai or Kobe.

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 Kobe. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Sukhothai or Kobe Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Kobe 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.

Kobe makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Sukhothai or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sukhothai and Kobe are both notable 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 Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Kobe, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Sukhothai or Kobe a more walkable city?

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

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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 Kobe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sukhothai or Kobe to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sukhothai than Kobe 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 Kobe.

Families should spend more time in Sukhothai than Kobe. 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 Kobe. 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 Kobe 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 Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sukhothai. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kobe. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kobe has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Sukhothai or Kobe?

Sukhothai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the multicultural destination of Kobe. 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 Kobe?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Sukhothai. This city offers something for everyone. 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 under-rated city of Kobe. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Kobe?

The under-rated city of Sukhothai offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Kobe is a popular choice for travelers. 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 from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Kobe, 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 Kobe?

Kobe 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 Kobe in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Kobe. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kobe 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 Kobe. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Kobe in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Kobe. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Sukhothai is much warmer than Kobe in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Kobe. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (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 Kobe in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Sukhothai is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Kobe averages at about 5°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Kobe. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Kobe in the Spring?

Both Kobe 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, many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun.

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Kobe. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 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 Kobe and Sukhothai