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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Whitsundays?

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

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Whitsundays?

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.

Whitsundays

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

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 Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Sukhothai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $82, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sukhothai $26
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sukhothai $52
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai or Whitsundays? 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 Whitsundays


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 $19
    Whitsundays $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $36
    Whitsundays $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays

For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sukhothai $38
    Whitsundays $25

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.

  • Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
  • MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sukhothai $14
    Whitsundays $12


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



When is the best time to visit Sukhothai or Whitsundays?

Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?

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

Sukhothai is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Sukhothai 29°C (84°F) 
    Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Whitsundays in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Sukhothai is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sukhothai in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Whitsundaysin April. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Sukhothai 28°C (83°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Whitsundays in the Winter?

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

In January, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Whitsundaysin July. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 25°C (77°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Sukhothai 25°C (77°F) 
    Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Whitsundays in the Spring?

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

It's very hot in Sukhothai this time of the year. Sukhothai is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.

In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundaysin October. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Whitsundaysin October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Sukhothai 32°C (89°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Sukhothai

Sukhothai Whitsundays
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 30°C (86°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 31°C (87°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 241 mm (9.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)


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