A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Kunming for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Kunming?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Kunming? 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.

Where Should I go: Ayutthaya or Kunming?

Ayutthaya

Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.

Kunming

Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Kunming or Ayutthaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ayutthaya is $86, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $85. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ayutthaya and Kunming in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ayutthaya $24
    Kunming $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ayutthaya $48
    Kunming $66
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and Kunming

Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya or Kunming? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Ayutthaya


Hotels in Kunming


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ayutthaya $29
    Kunming $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • River Ferry Crossing
    $0.63

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming

Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
  • Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
  • Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
  • Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Ayutthaya or Kunming?

Prices for flights to both Kunming and Ayutthaya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ayutthaya $39
    Kunming $39
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $4.40
  • Ice Cream
    $0.94
  • Breakfast for 2
    $4.40
  • Breakfast for 2
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming

For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Discovery more Kunming evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
  • Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ayutthaya $31
    Kunming $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Temple Entrances (2)
    $6.28
  • Wat Entrance
    $1.57

Tours and Activities in Kunming

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.

  • Kunming City & Cultural Walking tour: $26
  • Yunnan University & Culture Alley Guided Tour: $26
  • Half Day Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $43
  • Kunming City Tour with Private Guide: $44
  • Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour: $64
  • Old Town Private Tour (Half Day): $66
  • Guandu Ancient Town Private Tour (Half-Day): $66
  • Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour (Half Day): $66
  • Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $66
  • Stone Forest + Yiliang Roast Duck + Kunming City Private Tour: $68
  • Stone Forest, Roast Duck Lunch and City Tour: $70
  • Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with Scenic Train Tour: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ayutthaya $21
    Kunming $18


When comparing the travel costs between Ayutthaya and Kunming, 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 Kunming Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Kunming?

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