A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Brussels for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Brussels?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Brussels? 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 cultural, famous, and popular city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Brussels

Brussels is a cosmopolitan, authentic, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Brussels travel costs.

Ayutthaya and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels than Ayutthaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Brussels and is known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Ayutthaya different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Brussels have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Ayutthaya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Brussels specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Brussels offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ayutthaya makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Is Ayutthaya or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Ayutthaya and Brussels.

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 Brussels. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Ayutthaya or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the superb old towns in both Ayutthaya and Brussels.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

Brussels is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Brussels is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

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.

Is Ayutthaya or Brussels Better for Families?

Brussels is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Ayutthaya or Brussels Better for Couples?

Brussels is notable for romance. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Brussels is a very popular place to visit for couples. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Ayutthaya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The historical ruins make an easy day trip from Bangkok, so couples who appreciate history and iconic temples will appreciate a visit here.

Is Ayutthaya or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ayutthaya and Brussels are superb destinations for backpackers.

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

Many backpackers visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Is Ayutthaya or Brussels Better for Students?

Brussels is notable for students. However, Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

Brussels is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Brussels has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

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 Brussels a more walkable city?

Brussels is notable for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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 Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

In either Ayutthaya or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Ayutthaya because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

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

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

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

One day in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

The city of Ayutthaya offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

Ayutthaya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ayutthaya, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

Ayutthaya is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Ayutthaya or Brussels?

Ayutthaya is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Brussels is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and Brussels, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya is in Asia and Brussels is in Europe, 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 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Brussels, 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 Brussels?

Brussels 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 Brussels in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Brussels. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Ayutthaya is much warmer than Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels during summer. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun in the summer.

Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Brussels. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Brussels in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Brussels. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

In the autumn, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Brussels. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Brussels averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in October than Brussels. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. May to October in Ayutthaya is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Brussels in the Winter?

Both Brussels and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Brussels. In January, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during winter. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Brussels. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Brussels in the Spring?

Both Brussels and Ayutthaya during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Brussels in the spring for the activities around the city.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in April than Brussels. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Ayutthaya. May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Ayutthaya