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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Ise?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Ise? 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Ise

Ise is a off-the-beaten-path, overlooked, and authentic city. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Ise travel costs.

Ayutthaya and Ise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Ise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ayutthaya. Although Ayutthaya and Ise are popular destinations, Ayutthaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ayutthaya is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Ise attracts visitors for its beaches. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Ise and is known 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. Ise is famous for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting.

How is Ayutthaya different from Ise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ayutthaya is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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 Ise. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Ise offer a number of excellent 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.

Ise has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

Is Ayutthaya or Ise Better for Nightlife?

Ayutthaya is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Ayutthaya has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Ise doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Is Ayutthaya or Ise Better for Beaches?

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

Ise is a good option for a beach vacation. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Ise Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is well known for its old town. However, Ise 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.

Ise does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Ise?

Ayutthaya is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Ayutthaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Ise has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

Is Ayutthaya or Ise Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Ise.

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.

Ise is a family-friendly city. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Is Ayutthaya or Ise Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Ise 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.

Ise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

Is Ayutthaya or Ise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is well known for backpackers. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ayutthaya is a great city to visit for backpackers. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ise. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

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

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

Ise has a few public transit options. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

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 Ise a more walkable city?

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

Ise is somewhat walkable. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

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 Ise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ise or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Ise?

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

Couples should spend more time in Ayutthaya than Ise. 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 Ise 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 Ise?

With nightlife and food around the famous destination of Ayutthaya, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A weekend in Ayutthaya or Ise?

Many people visit Ayutthaya for a weekend. With food and shopping around the cultural city of Ayutthaya, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find museums and food around the off-the-beaten-path destination of Ise. 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 Ise?

The destination of Ayutthaya offers shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the overlooked city of Ise. 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 Ise?

Ayutthaya, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Ise 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Ise?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Ise, 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 Ise?

Ise 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 Ise in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Ise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ayutthaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Ise averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ise during summer. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

Ise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Ise. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Ise in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Ise. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene.

In October, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°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 Ise. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 160 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ise. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in October than Ise. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 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 Ise in the Winter?

Both Ise 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Ise in the winter. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 25°C (78°F) in January, and Ise fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives more sunshine than Ise during winter. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Ise. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Ise in the Spring?

Both Ise 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 travelers come to Ise for the beaches.

The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ayutthaya in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Ise averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Ise. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun.

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in April than Ise. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 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 Ise and Ayutthaya