Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya: Which Ancient City Is Better to Visit?

After visiting Sukhothai, I honestly cannot believe how many people visit Thailand and never make it here.

We had already visited Ayutthaya earlier in our trip, so we were really interested to see how Sukhothai compared. Both are home to incredible ancient temples and ruins, but the experience of visiting them felt surprisingly different.

So, after visiting both Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, here are our honest thoughts on which one we preferred, what makes each destination different, and whether Sukhothai is worth adding to your Thailand itinerary.

Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya: What’s the Difference?

At first glance, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya might seem very similar. Both were once important capitals of Thailand, both are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and both are filled with impressive ancient temples and ruins.

However, once you actually visit them, the experience is quite different.

Ayutthaya is much closer to Bangkok, making it an easy day trip from the capital. It is also more spread out, with ruins dotted around the modern city. Sukhothai, on the other hand, feels much more removed from modern Thailand. The main historical park is surrounded by greenery, lakes and quiet roads, which made exploring the ruins feel much more peaceful for us.

We also found Sukhothai to be much quieter than Ayutthaya. This was one of the biggest differences for us. There was something really special about walking around the ancient temples without constantly feeling surrounded by crowds.

Having visited both during our Thailand trip, I think they are both worth seeing if you have the time. But if you are trying to decide between Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya, there are a few important differences to consider.

Our Experience Visiting Ayutthaya

We visited Ayutthaya earlier in our Thailand trip, and I’m really glad we did. It was one of those places where you can easily see why it is so popular, especially as it is so easy to visit from Bangkok.

We took the train from Bangkok and paid just 30p per person each way, which made it a really cheap day out. Once we arrived, we hired a motorbike for 200 baht (around £5) for the day and used it to get between the different temples and ruins.

Ayutthaya was hot, busy and quite spread out, but we still had a brilliant day exploring. There are ruins everywhere, and I loved how you could be driving along a normal road and suddenly come across another ancient temple.

That said, our experience of Ayutthaya did feel quite different to Sukhothai.

Ayutthaya is much more popular with tourists, particularly because of how easy it is to visit from Bangkok. Some of the main sites were noticeably busy when we visited, and the whole experience felt a little more hectic.

We really enjoyed Ayutthaya, and I wouldn’t tell anyone to skip it. But after visiting Sukhothai later in our trip, I realised just how much I loved the quieter atmosphere there.

If you’d like to read more about our Ayutthaya experience, you can check out our Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok guide.

Our Experience Visiting Sukhothai

Sukhothai really surprised me. Before visiting, I knew there were lots of temples and ruins here. I just didn’t realise how much I would enjoy it.

The biggest thing for me was how quiet it felt.

Compared with Ayutthaya, Sukhothai felt so much more peaceful. We could wander around the historical park without constantly being surrounded by other tourists. It never felt rushed.

I also loved the setting. The ruins are surrounded by trees, grass and ponds. You can spend hours just cycling around and stopping whenever you see something interesting.

The temples themselves were incredible too. There are huge Buddha statues and ancient ruins everywhere you look. It felt like we were discovering something new around every corner.

Honestly, I couldn’t believe how many people visit Thailand and skip Sukhothai.

I understand why. It takes more effort to get to than Ayutthaya. But for us, it was completely worth it.

After visiting both, Sukhothai was the one I enjoyed more.

Exploring Sukhothai Old Town

Sukhothai Old Town was also so much fun to explore. It wasn’t just about visiting the main historical park.

We loved wandering around the area and seeing what we came across. There were morning markets, little local spots and even more temples to explore.

One of my favourite things was the evening market. As the sun started to go down, stalls popped up among the ancient temples. There was something really magical about it.

You could grab some food and wander around the ruins at the same time. It felt so different from anywhere else we had visited in Thailand.

This was another thing I loved about Sukhothai. It didn’t feel like we were just visiting a historical site for a few hours. The ancient ruins are part of the town. You can spend the whole day exploring and still find something new in the evening.

Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya: Which Should You Visit?

If you’re short on time, I would choose Ayutthaya.

It is so much easier to fit into a Thailand itinerary. You can visit from Bangkok as a day trip and still see a lot of the main temples and ruins.

But if you have more time, I would definitely make the effort to visit Sukhothai.

For us, Sukhothai was the more memorable experience. It felt quieter and much more relaxed. We loved having time to explore without feeling like we were rushing from one temple to the next.

I also loved Sukhothai Old Town. The markets and ancient temples gave the whole place such a great atmosphere.

So for me, it really comes down to time. Short on time? Ayutthaya is the easier choice. Have more time? Definitely add Sukhothai to your Thailand itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya

Is Sukhothai or Ayutthaya better?

For us, Sukhothai was the more memorable place to visit. We loved how quiet and peaceful it felt. That said, Ayutthaya is much easier to visit if you are staying in Bangkok and only have a short amount of time.

Is Sukhothai worth visiting?

Absolutely. Sukhothai was one of the places that surprised us most in Thailand. The ancient temples are incredible and the whole area feels much more relaxed than Ayutthaya.

Is Ayutthaya worth visiting?

Yes. Ayutthaya is a great choice if you are staying in Bangkok. It is easy to visit as a day trip and there are lots of impressive temples and ruins to see.

Can you visit Sukhothai and Ayutthaya on the same trip?

Yes. We visited both during our Thailand trip and I’m really glad we did. Seeing both gave us a much better idea of how different the two ancient cities are.

How many days do you need in Sukhothai?

I would recommend at least two nights if you have the time. This gives you enough time to explore the historical park without rushing and enjoy Sukhothai Old Town too.

Can you visit Ayutthaya as a day trip?

Yes. This is one of the main reasons Ayutthaya is so popular. It is easy to travel there from Bangkok and spend a full day exploring before heading back to the city.

Which is easier to visit, Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is easier for most travellers because of its location close to Bangkok. Sukhothai takes more planning and travel time, but we felt it was worth the extra effort.

Which is less crowded, Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

We found Sukhothai much quieter when we visited. Ayutthaya was busier, particularly around some of the most popular temples.

Is Sukhothai or Ayutthaya better for temples?

Both have some incredible temples and ruins. For us, Sukhothai had the edge because we loved the peaceful setting and being able to explore the historical park without as many people around.

So, should you visit Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?

If you are short on time, Ayutthaya makes sense because it is so convenient from Bangkok. But if you have more time in your Thailand itinerary, I would definitely add Sukhothai. It was one of our favourite stops and somewhere I think many travellers miss.