A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Sukhothai vs. Nakhon Ratchasima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Nakhon Ratchasima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 37000 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Sukhothai during the autumn 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 Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.

October to April is the dry season in Sukhothai. May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Nakhon Ratchasima. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

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

In January, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Should I visit Sukhothai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

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

Also, October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. May to October in Sukhothai is the rainy season. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Sukhothai