Sukhothai or Ayutthaya: Which ancient city is better?
While searching for destinations to visit in Thailand, I often saw people asking, “Which city should I visit, Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?”
Both ancient cities are a must-go if you love historical parks. However, picking one can be challenging if you have limited travel time.
I visited both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya on my recent trip to Thailand, and below is my comparison.
Five questions to decide between Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Thailand
Where is your base location?
Location is an important factor that will help you decide between Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
If you are in Bangkok or Southern Thailand, Ayutthaya would be an ideal choice because the trip takes 1 hour.
Ayutthaya can be an exciting day trip or a semi-convenient overnight from Bangkok, Thailand.
If you’re in Chiang Mai or the North of Thailand, properly Sukhothai is a better choice. You can make your way down from the North and visit Sukhothai within 5 hours bus ride.
Read more: How to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai?
How much time do you have?
Although you can explore both Historical parks in one day, I find Sukhothai Historical Park needs more time.
Sukhothai is extensive, and it has five different areas, so a day only may not be enough for your trip.
Ayutthaya, on the other hand, can be explored in one day.
Which one is cheaper?
I find Sukhothai is a cheaper option. Sukhothai parks are divided into five different areas, and each costs 100 Baht to visit.
On the other hand, each attraction in Ayutthaya requires an extra payment. It may add a lot if you want to visit it all.
Furthermore, the travel cost in Sukhothai is slightly cheaper. Cheaper food, more affordable hotels, and resorts.
Which historical period are you interested in?
Thailand’s history is divided into stages: Sukhothai (1238-1438), Ayutthaya – absorbing the quintessence of Sukhothai culture and flourishing for more than 400 years from 1350-1767, Thon Bori ( 1767-1782), and Rattanakosin (1782 to present).
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, also known as Pra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, was the capital of Thailand for 417 years.
Ayutthaya and Sukhothai have different architectural and cultural attributes, so you may choose to visit depending on your interest.
Which city is more enjoyable?
Ayutthaya
After the sun comes down, Ayutthaya’s old city becomes quite dull. During my visit, the town was a bit dead, with not much going on.
My partner and I agree, “The city is so weird!”
On our first night in Ayutthaya, we saw many closed restaurants and almost no one on the street. There was no vibe except the backpacker street and the street food market.
It felt like no local Thai lived in Ayutthaya’s old city, and most tourists just gathered in 2 or 3 small areas.
That situation remained the same for the whole week.
Sukhothai
I find spending the nights in Sukhothai’s old city more enjoyable. Although there were just a few restaurants in the old town, it felt much better.
We saw people walking around, people chatting, and music playing. There’s a friendly vibe, and we loved it.
Overall: Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?
I prefer visiting Sukhothai to Ayutthaya. The city is quieter, more serene, and still untouched.
However, if you have time, I’d recommend visiting both cities. They both have unique features and offer different experiences.
