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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Nelson?

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 Nelson 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.

Nelson

Nelson is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Nelson is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Nelson travel costs.

Sukhothai and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Nelson?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nelson. Although Sukhothai and Nelson are both popular with visitors, Nelson has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nelson is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Sukhothai is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Nelson is more touristy than Sukhothai and is popular for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. It is also home to Abel Tasman National Park. Sukhothai is popular for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Nelson offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Nelson can be difficult as they are each superb 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 Nelson. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Nelson 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.

Nelson has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is an amazing city to visit for its beaches. However, Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Nelson is a very popular vacation destination. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson Better for its Old Town?

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

Sukhothai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Nelson does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson Better for Hiking?

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

Many people visit Nelson specifically for its hiking. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Nelson?

Sukhothai is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Nelson is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Nelson. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson More Beautiful?

Nelson is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Nelson is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful outdoor environments.

Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson Better for Families?

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

Nelson is one of the most popular family destinations. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders 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 Nelson Better for Couples?

Nelson is an amazing city to visit for romance. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Nelson has plenty to offer. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

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 Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Nelson. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

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

Sukhothai is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Nelson is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Sukhothai or Nelson a more walkable city?

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

Nelson is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

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 Nelson Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Nelson?

In either Sukhothai or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Sukhothai because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sukhothai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

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

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

One day in Sukhothai or Nelson?

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 city of Nelson. 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 Nelson?

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 natural destination of Nelson. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Nelson?

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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the natural city of Nelson. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Sukhothai or Nelson?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical 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.

Nelson 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 New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Nelson?

Nelson has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Nelson, 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.