A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Lanta vs. Ayutthaya for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Ayutthaya can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a quiet, beautiful, and off-the-beaten-path island. You'll find world class beauty in Koh Lanta as well. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Koh Lanta travel costs.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a cultural, famous, and popular city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

Koh Lanta and Ayutthaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

Both Ayutthaya and Koh Lanta have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Koh Lanta is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Ayutthaya attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is known for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Koh Lanta is famous for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Koh Lanta different from Ayutthaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ayutthaya and Koh Lanta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options 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 to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lanta. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

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

Foodies will find both Koh Lanta and Ayutthaya both to be excellent destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Lanta. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Ayutthaya has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya has a better nightlife scene.

Koh Lanta has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

If you're looking for night time activities Ayutthaya has a few options to choose from. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is notable for its resorts. However, Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Koh Lanta is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Ayutthaya is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Ayutthaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

Ayutthaya is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its old town. However, Koh Lanta 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.

Koh Lanta does not have a historic old town.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Koh Lanta is a popular spot for hiking. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

Ayutthaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options 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.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya More Beautiful?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ayutthaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Koh Lanta as well. It's among Thailand's most beautiful islands and it's not as touristy or built up as some of the more popular areas.

Ayutthaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Families?

Koh Lanta 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.

Koh Lanta is a very family-friendly place to visit. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly island. 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 Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Koh Lanta makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

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 Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

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

Ayutthaya is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Is Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya a more walkable city?

Neither Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya are walkable places.

Koh Lanta is not a walkable island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable island. 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 Koh Lanta Worth Visiting? and Is Ayutthaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ayutthaya or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Lanta than Ayutthaya because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Ayutthaya.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ayutthaya than Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the island of Koh Lanta. 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.

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

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the quiet destination of Koh Lanta. 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 island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Ayutthaya. 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 Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful island of Koh Lanta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular city of Ayutthaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

Koh Lanta is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Ayutthaya 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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Ayutthaya, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya than you might in Koh Lanta.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Ayutthaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Ayutthaya during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

Also, October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. May to October in Ayutthaya is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

Both Ayutthaya and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lanta in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

Both Ayutthaya and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. October to April is the dry season in Ayutthaya. May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In April, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 29°C (85°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Koh Lanta