A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Couples

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan? 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.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a religious, sacred, and remote religious site. It's also known for hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ayutthaya. Although Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Ayutthaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ayutthaya is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its hiking. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan 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. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Ayutthaya different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Ayutthaya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

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

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options 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.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Ayutthaya is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ayutthaya. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options 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.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Ayutthaya is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan 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.

Dewa Sanzan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Dewa Sanzan is a moderate religious site for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

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 Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than in Ayutthaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

Families should spend more time in Ayutthaya than Dewa Sanzan. 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 Dewa Sanzan. 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 Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular city of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums around the religious site of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the famous destination of Ayutthaya. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums around the remote destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this religious site has to offer. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

The popular city of Ayutthaya offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the sacred religious site of Dewa Sanzan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ayutthaya. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan 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. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking.

In the summer, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ayutthaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails.

In October, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 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 Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 25°C (78°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°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 Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ayutthaya in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 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 Dewa Sanzan and Ayutthaya