A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Suzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai or Suzhou?

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

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Suzhou?

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.

Suzhou

Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.


Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Sukhothai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $59, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $101. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sukhothai and Suzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sukhothai $23
    Suzhou $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sukhothai $46
    Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Suzhou

Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai or Suzhou? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sukhothai


Hotels in Suzhou


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sukhothai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sukhothai $17
    Suzhou $57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sukhothai

Also for Sukhothai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sukhothai airport: Transfer to Sukhothai Historical Park: $78
  • Sukhothai : private car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $138
  • Sukhothai Hotel Transfer: to/from Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: $159
  • One -Way Private Transfer to Chiang Mai: $187
  • Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $268
  • Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $322

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:

  • Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Suzhou?

Prices for flights to both Suzhou and Sukhothai change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sukhothai $19
    Suzhou $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.

  • Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
  • Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
  • Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sukhothai $33
    Suzhou $9.32

Tours and Activities in Sukhothai

For Sukhothai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2.5-Hours Guided Countryside Sunset Bike Tour: $18
  • Half-Day Countryside Bike Tour: $26
  • Cycling Sukhothai Full Day Countryside Tour: $32
  • Historical Park & Countryside Cycling Tour: $42
  • Full-Day Historical Park Cycling Tour with Lunch: $42

Tours and Activities in Suzhou

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:

  • 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
  • 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
  • 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
  • All Inclusive Suzhou Highlight Tour with Boat Ride and Lunch: $179
  • Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $248
  • Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
  • Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178
  • Full- Day Private Suzhou Tour Guide Service: $150
  • Full-day Private Tour of Top Suzhou Gardens: $211

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sukhothai $12
    Suzhou $6.40


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


Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Suzhou?

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

Suzhou 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 Suzhou in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Suzhou. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Suzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Suzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Suzhou. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Suzhou receives 232 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Suzhou. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in July than Suzhou. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sukhothai 29°C (84°F) 
    Suzhou 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Suzhou in the Autumn?

Both Suzhou and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year.

In the autumn, Sukhothai is much warmer than Suzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sukhothai in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Suzhou averages at about 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Suzhou during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Suzhou receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sukhothai 28°C (83°F) 
    Suzhou 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Suzhou in the Winter?

Both Suzhou and Sukhothai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Suzhou can be very cold. In January, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 25°C (77°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Suzhou. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Suzhou receives 135 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Suzhou. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sukhothai 25°C (77°F) 
    Suzhou 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Suzhou in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Suzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round.

It's very hot in Sukhothai this time of the year. Sukhothai is much warmer than Suzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Suzhou fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Suzhou during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Suzhou receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Suzhou. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sukhothai 32°C (89°F) 
    Suzhou 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Suzhou and Sukhothai

Sukhothai Suzhou
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 30°C (86°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 31°C (87°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 241 mm (9.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)