A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Byron Bay for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Byron Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a historical, cultural, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a vegan-friendly, carefree, and Bohemian town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Byron Bay is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Byron Bay travel costs.

Sukhothai and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Byron Bay. Although Sukhothai and Byron Bay are popular destinations, Byron Bay has more sights and attractions for tourists. Byron Bay is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sukhothai attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Byron Bay is more touristy than Sukhothai and is popular for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. It is also well known for Cape Byron Lighthouse. Sukhothai is famous for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Sukhothai is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sukhothai. Although many visitors overlook Sukhothai, the Sukhothai Historical Park is one of the area's most impressive historical and cultural sights. There are countless historical landmarks both within the old walled city and in the surrounding area.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

Is the Food Better in Sukhothai or Byron Bay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Byron Bay can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sukhothai. Tourists visit specifically to try the area's famed spicy noodle dish - kuaytiaw Sukhothai. The city is filled with a range of dining options, from noodle joints to Thai eateries, as well as tourist-friendly restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Byron Bay. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Byron Bay has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

Sukhothai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. This is more of a historical area than a nightlife destination, but you'll find tourist-oriented bars where you can grab a cold beer, or local cafes with live music.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sukhothai is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Byron Bay. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Sukhothai is not a resort destination.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. However, Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Byron Bay is a very popular vacation destination. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a well-known place for its old town. However, Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Sukhothai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The Sukhothai Historical Park is an impressive World Heritage Site. There are 21 historical sites and four large ponds within the old walls. Outside of the walls there are another 70 sites within a 5 kilometer radius.

Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Byron Bay is very good for its hiking trails. However, Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Byron Bay. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Sukhothai and Byron Bay.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sukhothai. There are a number of markets and handicraft studios nearby. Check out Tra Phang Thong Market for local foods and products or Suntree Thai Weaving for handwoven items. There's also Suthep Sangkalok where you'll find traditional ceramics.

Byron Bay is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay More Beautiful?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Byron Bay is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's pristine beaches and laid back style make it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.

Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Sukhothai or Byron Bay.

Sukhothai is a family-friendly city. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and other nearby temples. The less touristy side of this area makes it great for families who need a break from Thailand's tourist crowds. It's also a fun place to explore by bike.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Byron Bay. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Byron Bay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Sukhothai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who want to get away from the tourist crowds, this cultural and historical area is filled with temples and interesting sights.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Byron Bay is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

It's common for backpackers to visit Sukhothai. For many backpackers, its not part of the typical Southeast Asian tourist trail, but for some, that is the appeal.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sukhothai is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Sukhothai has a few public transit options. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Sukhothai or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Byron Bay is very good for its walkability. However, Sukhothai is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Byron Bay is somewhat walkable. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

Sukhothai is generally not very walkable. This isn't the most walkable area, and the historical sites are spread out so you'll really need a bike, motorbike, or some other form of transportation to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Sukhothai Worth Visiting? and Is Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay than Sukhothai 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sukhothai. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 food and shopping around the town of Byron Bay. 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 Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Sukhothai. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the vegan-friendly destination of Byron Bay. 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 town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Sukhothai. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxed town of Byron Bay. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town 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 town has to offer.

A week in Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Sukhothai 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.

Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay, 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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Byron Bay, 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 Sukhothai or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sukhothai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Byron Bay. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Sukhothai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sukhothai is much warmer than Byron Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is much warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 19°C (67°F)in October.

In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Sukhothai