A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Noosa Heads for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

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 Noosa Heads can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a world class, historical, and cultural city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sukhothai travel costs.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a scenic, natural, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Sukhothai and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Noosa Heads. Although Sukhothai and Noosa Heads are popular destinations, Noosa Heads has more sights and attractions for tourists. Noosa Heads is very popular for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sukhothai attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Noosa Heads is more touristy than Sukhothai and is known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. It is also well known for Noosa Main Beach. Sukhothai is famous for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sukhothai is a great city for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Noosa Heads have nice vibes after the sun sets.

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.

Noosa Heads has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is an amazing coastal town to visit for its beaches. However, Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Noosa Heads is a very popular vacation destination. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a great city for its old town. However, Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Sukhothai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

Sukhothai is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town 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.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads More Beautiful?

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

Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Sukhothai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Noosa Heads is a very family-friendly destination. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sukhothai. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

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

Noosa Heads makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Noosa Heads is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Sukhothai and Noosa Heads.

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

You'll find some public transit in Noosa Heads, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Sukhothai or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

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

Noosa Heads is very walkable. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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 Noosa Heads Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Sukhothai or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Noosa Heads due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sukhothai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Noosa Heads.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

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.

Even though Noosa Heads is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the under-rated 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.

Noosa Heads is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. 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 coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

The world class 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.

Noosa Heads is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Noosa Heads?

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

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Noosa Heads. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.

Noosa Heads receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Noosa Heads. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Noosa Heads 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 much warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 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.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sukhothai is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin July. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads and Sukhothai during the spring 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 beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 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.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Sukhothai