On a month-long trip, it probably makes sense to visit just one of Thailand’s famous historical parks such as Ayutthaya or Sukhothai. While both are UNESCO sites, they offer distinct experiences: one is a bustling day trip from Bangkok and the other is an adventure up north to quieter pastures. To help you make the right choice, we’ve created a comparison guide covering the effort, cost, and temples of each destination.

As we found out on our day trip from Bangkok, there’s more to Ayutthaya than meets the eye. The old capital is famous for its ruins - with brick prangs, Buddha heads wrapped in roots, and bell-shaped chedis dotted throughout the historical park. But what we loved most was the city’s riverside setting, the delicious food, and the fact that trains and tuk-tuks made up our day’s transportation.