A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Matsue for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sukhothai or Matsue?

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 Matsue can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

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

Matsue

Matsue is a serene, historic, and quiet town. Matsue is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Matsue travel costs.

Sukhothai and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Matsue?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sukhothai. Although Sukhothai and Matsue are popular destinations, Sukhothai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sukhothai is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Matsue attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Matsue is more touristy than Sukhothai and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Sukhothai is famous 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.

How is Sukhothai different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Sukhothai or Matsue.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Matsue can be an interesting and educational experience. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Matsue 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 Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Sukhothai is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a great destination for its old town. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Matsue?

Sukhothai is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Sukhothai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue More Beautiful?

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

Matsue is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue Better for Families?

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

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 Matsue. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue Better for Couples?

Both Sukhothai and Matsue 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.

Matsue makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sukhothai and Matsue 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 Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Matsue can move around easily with public transportation. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

You'll find some public transit in Sukhothai, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the town.

Is Sukhothai or Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Sukhothai is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Matsue is very walkable. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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 Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sukhothai and Matsue. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Sukhothai than Matsue. 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 Matsue 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 Matsue?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sukhothai. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Matsue. 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 Matsue?

Sukhothai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the peaceful destination of Matsue. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sukhothai. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic town of Matsue. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Sukhothai. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Matsue, we can see that Matsue 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 Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Sukhothai during the summer 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 visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sukhothai is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).

In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Matsue. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Matsue in the Winter?

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

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. Sukhothai is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Matsue. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Sukhothai