A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a cultural, under-rated, and world class city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred, remote, and traditional religious site. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sukhothai. Although Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Sukhothai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sukhothai is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its hiking. Sukhothai is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam. It is also well known for Wat Si Chom in the Sukhothai Historical Park. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Sukhothai different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Sukhothai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Sukhothai has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Sukhothai is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sukhothai. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Sukhothai. 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.

Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dewa Sanzan. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Sukhothai is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Sukhothai is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Sukhothai is a nice destination for couples. For couples who want to get away from the tourist crowds, this cultural and historical area is filled with temples and interesting sights.

Dewa Sanzan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Sukhothai is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. For many backpackers, its not part of the typical Southeast Asian tourist trail, but for some, that is the appeal.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

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

Sukhothai is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Sukhothai is generally not a very walkable city. 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.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Sukhothai Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Sukhothai has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sukhothai than Dewa Sanzan. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sukhothai than Dewa Sanzan 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 Sukhothai.

One day in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Sukhothai. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums around the religious site of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Sukhothai. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums around the sacred destination of Dewa Sanzan. 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 religious site has to offer. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

The historical city of Sukhothai offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the sacred religious site of Dewa Sanzan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sukhothai. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan 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 Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, the hiking are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

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

Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In July, Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Sukhothai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails.

In October, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Sukhothai. May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can get quite cold in the winter. Sukhothai is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. May to October in Sukhothai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Sukhothai