Comparison · Koh Samui vs Pattaya · Thailand
Koh Samui vs Pattaya
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Manfred Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Koh Samui for Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and free sights; choose Pattaya for Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Pattaya is generally less expensive, and the two are about 391 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 391 km
- Less expensive
- Pattaya
- Best time for Koh Samui
- February–April and June–August
- Best time for Pattaya
- November–February
Side by side
| Koh Samui | Pattaya | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Thailand |
| Known for | Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and Fisherman's Village | Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth and Koh Larn |
| Best time to visit | February–April and June–August | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$200 | $65–$140 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 33°C (91°F) | April, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 28°C (82°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 5 |
| Beaches | Chaweng | Jomtien Beach |
| Airports | USM, URT | UTP, BKK |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Koh Samui for…
Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and free sights. Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, is ringed by a coastal road of about 50 km linking a dozen beaches, from busy Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast to quieter Bophut, Maenam and the sunset-facing west. Coconut plantations and forested hills fill…
Choose Pattaya for…
Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. 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
| # | Koh Samui | Pattaya |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) | Sanctuary of Truth |
| 2 | Wat Plai Laem | Koh Larn (Coral Island) |
| 3 | Fisherman's Village, Bophut | Walking Street |
| 4 | Hin Ta and Hin Yai | Pattaya Beach |
| 5 | Na Muang Waterfalls | Jomtien Beach |
Food compared
| Koh Samui | Pattaya |
|---|---|
| Khao yam | Steamed sea bass with lime |
| Gaeng som pla | Grilled river prawns and crab |
| Tom kha gai | Tom yum goong |
| Seafood barbecue | 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–$200 in Koh Samui (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pattaya on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Koh Samui and Pattaya are about 391 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Koh Samui and 4 in Pattaya.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Koh Samui or Pattaya cheaper?
Pattaya is usually less expensive: about $65–$140 a day mid-range against $90–$200 (estimates).
+Is Koh Samui or Pattaya better for a first trip?
Pick Koh Samui for Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and free sights, or Pattaya for Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and a short break.
+How far is Koh Samui from Pattaya?
About 391 km in a straight line.