Comparison · Bangkok vs Pattaya · Thailand
Bangkok vs Pattaya
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Bangkok for Grand Palace and Street food; choose Pattaya for Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Pattaya is generally less expensive, and the two are about 101 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 101 km
- Less expensive
- Pattaya
- Best time for Bangkok
- November–February
- Best time for Pattaya
- November–February
Side by side
| Bangkok | Pattaya | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Thailand |
| Known for | Grand Palace, Street food and Buddhist temples | Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth and Koh Larn |
| Best time to visit | November–February | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$180 | $65–$140 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 35°C (95°F) | April, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 31°C (88°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Jomtien Beach |
| Airports | BKK, DMK | UTP, BKK |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bangkok for…
Grand Palace and Street food. Bangkok is a sprawling, humid megacity on the Chao Phraya River where gilded temples, canals and street-food stalls sit beside glass malls and rooftop bars. The old royal island of Rattanakosin holds the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, with Wat Arun across the…
Choose Pattaya for…
Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Pattaya is a beach city on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast, about 150 km south-east of Bangkok, that grew from a fishing village into a major resort from the 1960s. Its curving city beach and Beach Road are lined with hotels and high-rises, Walking Street…
Top sights compared
| # | Bangkok | Pattaya |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | Sanctuary of Truth |
| 2 | Wat Pho | Koh Larn (Coral Island) |
| 3 | Wat Arun | Walking Street |
| 4 | Chatuchak Weekend Market | Pattaya Beach |
| 5 | Chao Phraya Express Boat | Jomtien Beach |
Food compared
| Bangkok | Pattaya |
|---|---|
| Pad thai | Steamed sea bass with lime |
| Tom yum goong | Grilled river prawns and crab |
| Som tam | Tom yum goong |
| Khao man gai | Oyster or mussel omelette |
Which is cheaper?
Pattaya is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $65–$140 per person there, against $90–$180 in Bangkok (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pattaya on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bangkok and Pattaya are about 101 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Bangkok and 4 in Pattaya.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bangkok or Pattaya cheaper?
Pattaya is usually less expensive: about $65–$140 a day mid-range against $90–$180 (estimates).
+Is Bangkok or Pattaya better for a first trip?
Pick Bangkok for Grand Palace and Street food, or Pattaya for Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and beaches.
+How far is Bangkok from Pattaya?
About 101 km in a straight line.