A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a cultural, under-rated, and world class city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a ritzy, glamourous, and high energy city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Sukhothai and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise than Sukhothai, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surfers Paradise is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Sukhothai is more popular for its historical sights. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Sukhothai and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. Also, Surfers Paradise is famous for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Sukhothai is well known for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Surfers Paradise can be an interesting and educational experience. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Surfers Paradise can be difficult as they are each excellent 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 Surfers Paradise. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Surfers Paradise has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sukhothai is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Surfers Paradise is a perfect choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Sukhothai is not a resort destination.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sukhothai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Sukhothai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Surfers Paradise is a very popular vacation destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is very good for its hiking trails. However, Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Surfers Paradise. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Sukhothai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Sukhothai and Surfers Paradise.

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

You'll find some public transit in Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

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

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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 Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

Both Sukhothai and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Sukhothai. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sukhothai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Sukhothai. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Surfers Paradise. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the historical city of Sukhothai. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the ritzy destination of Surfers Paradise. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Surfers Paradise?

Sukhothai is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the ritzy city of Surfers Paradise. 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 relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

Sukhothai is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Surfers Paradise is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Surfers Paradise, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise?

Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 100% larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Sukhothai usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Sukhothai is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein April. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (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.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Sukhothai is much warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Surfers Paradise. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein October. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 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.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Sukhothai