A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Atami for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Atami?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a historical, cultural, and famous city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Atami travel costs.

Ayutthaya and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Atami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ayutthaya. Although Ayutthaya and Atami are popular destinations, Ayutthaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ayutthaya is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Atami attracts visitors for its beaches. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. It is also well known for Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Ayutthaya different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Ayutthaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ayutthaya or Atami?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Ayutthaya. These large and impressive ruins are among the most visited in Thailand. This is in large part because of their easy access from Bangkok. Highlights of the historical park include Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the Royal Chapel, Wat Ratchaburana, and Vihara Phra Mongkol Bophi.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Ayutthaya or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Ayutthaya has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The local cuisine makes use of the area's freshwater fish, green vegetables, and river prawns. Dishes often include rice noodles and a spicy sauce. There are many restaurants that cater to the tourist crowds but still serve high quality dishes.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Ayutthaya and Atami.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Ayutthaya. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is a popular place for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Atami is a good option for a beach vacation. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its old town. However, Atami does not have a historic old town.

Ayutthaya is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Atami does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Atami?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Ayutthaya is well-known for its shopping. There are some great shopping areas around the town that specialize in local handicrafts such as pottery, wicker weaving, and stone masonry. Some of the most interesting places include the Ayutthaya Floating Market and the Ayutthaya Night Market.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Atami.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly place to visit. Families will appreciate how easy it is to reach Ayutthaya from Bangkok. The historical ruins are fun for both kids and adults, but the sites are very spread out and you'll need to hire a tuk tuk to see everything. The roads can be crowded and distances far, so biking isn't recommended with kids.

Atami is a family-friendly city. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Atami make for a nice place to visit.

Ayutthaya is a nice destination for couples. The historical ruins make an easy day trip from Bangkok, so couples who appreciate history and iconic temples will appreciate a visit here.

Atami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Ayutthaya. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is a popular place for its public transit. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ayutthaya. There are organized tours and private tuk tuks for hire that will take you to the various temples. There are also bicycles available for rent, but roads can be crowded.

Is Ayutthaya or Atami a more walkable city?

Atami is a popular place for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Atami is somewhat walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable city. The historic sites are spread out over a vast area and you must have some form of transportation to reach everything. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phutthai Sawan are the furthest apart. Everywhere else can be accessed on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ayutthaya or Atami to fill your time. In our opinion, Ayutthaya has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ayutthaya than Atami. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ayutthaya than Atami 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 Ayutthaya.

One day in Ayutthaya or Atami?

In Ayutthaya, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this popular destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Atami. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ayutthaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Atami. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Atami?

Ayutthaya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Ayutthaya. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the overlooked town of Atami. 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 Ayutthaya or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the famous destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami 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 Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples 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 Ayutthaya and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ayutthaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ayutthaya 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Ayutthaya.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Atami?

Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Atami, 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 Ayutthaya or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ayutthaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Ayutthaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ayutthaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Atami. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

In October, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Atami during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Atami. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Atami in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Atami. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

Ayutthaya is much warmer than Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 25°C (78°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Atami. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Atami. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ayutthaya in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Atami during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Atami. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October.

Typical Weather for Atami and Ayutthaya