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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Sendai?

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

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a cultural, under-rated, and world class city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a lively, high energy, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sendai travel costs.

Sukhothai and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Sendai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sendai. Although Sukhothai and Sendai are popular destinations, Sendai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sendai is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Sukhothai attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Sendai is more touristy than Sukhothai and is known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also well known for the statue of Lord Masamune. Sukhothai is famous for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Sukhothai or Sendai.

Many visitors head to Sukhothai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sukhothai has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Sukhothai or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Sendai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Sukhothai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Sendai Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Sendai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Sendai Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Sendai 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.

Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Sendai?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Sukhothai and Sendai.

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.

Sendai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Sukhothai or Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai 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.

Sendai is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

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 Sendai Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Sendai 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.

Sendai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Sukhothai or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sukhothai and Sendai 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 Sendai. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Sendai can move around easily with public transportation. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

You'll find some public transit in Sukhothai, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the town.

Is Sukhothai or Sendai a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sukhothai and Sendai. In our opinion, Sendai has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sendai than Sukhothai. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Sukhothai or Sendai?

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 Sendai. 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 Sendai?

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 vibrant destination of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

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 cosmopolitan city of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated 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.

Sendai 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sukhothai is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Sendai. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai 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. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 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.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. Sukhothai is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Sendai. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Sendai. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 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.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Sukhothai