A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise? 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a active, ritzy, and glamourous city. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Ayutthaya and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise than Ayutthaya, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surfers Paradise is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Ayutthaya is more popular for its historical sights. Ayutthaya is well known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Surfers Paradise is well known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. Also, Surfers Paradise is famous for the SkyPoint Observation Deck.

How is Ayutthaya different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ayutthaya and Surfers Paradise have very good 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 Surfers Paradise specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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

Both Ayutthaya and Surfers Paradise offer a number of very good 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.

Surfers Paradise has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Surfers Paradise is a world class party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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.

Is Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Surfers Paradise is a great choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Surfers Paradise. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Ayutthaya to see the historical old town. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Surfers Paradise does not have a historic old town.

Is Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Surfers Paradise is a good destination for hiking. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place to visit for couples. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Surfers Paradise is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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

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

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

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

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 Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

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

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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 Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

Both Ayutthaya and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Ayutthaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Surfers Paradise. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the famous city of Ayutthaya. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the high energy destination of Surfers Paradise. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

Ayutthaya is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the thrilling city of Surfers Paradise. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

Ayutthaya is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Surfers Paradise is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Surfers Paradise, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise?

Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise 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, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein January. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein April. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 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 Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise 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, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (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 Surfers Paradise and Ayutthaya