Comparison · Pattaya vs Phuket · Thailand
Pattaya vs Phuket
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sergey S. Dukachev, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Pattaya for Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and a short break; choose Phuket for Beaches and Phang Nga Bay. Pattaya is generally less expensive, and the two are about 623 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 623 km
- Less expensive
- Pattaya
- Best time for Pattaya
- November–February
- Best time for Phuket
- December–March
Side by side
| Pattaya | Phuket | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Thailand |
| Known for | Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth and Koh Larn | Beaches, Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Islands day trips |
| Best time to visit | November–February | December–March |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $65–$140 | $90–$200 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 34°C (93°F) | March, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 30°C (86°F) | September, 31°C (88°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | Jomtien Beach | Kata Beach |
| Airports | UTP, BKK | HKT |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Phuket for…
Beaches and Phang Nga Bay. Thailand's largest island, about 50 km long, lines its west coast with sandy bays from lively Patong to calmer Kata, Kamala and Nai Harn, all facing the Andaman Sea. Inland, rubber plantations and forested hills hide the Big Buddha and waterfalls, while…
Top sights compared
| # | Pattaya | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanctuary of Truth | Big Buddha |
| 2 | Koh Larn (Coral Island) | Old Phuket Town |
| 3 | Walking Street | Wat Chalong |
| 4 | Pattaya Beach | Promthep Cape |
| 5 | Jomtien Beach | Karon Viewpoint |
Food compared
| Pattaya | Phuket |
|---|---|
| Steamed sea bass with lime | Phuket Hokkien noodles |
| Grilled river prawns and crab | Moo hong |
| Tom yum goong | Khanom jeen |
| Oyster or mussel omelette | Phuket dim sum |
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 Phuket (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pattaya on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Pattaya and Phuket are about 623 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Pattaya and 7 in Phuket.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Pattaya or Phuket cheaper?
Pattaya is usually less expensive: about $65–$140 a day mid-range against $90–$200 (estimates).
+Is Pattaya or Phuket better for a first trip?
Pick Pattaya for Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, lower day-to-day costs and a short break, or Phuket for Beaches and Phang Nga Bay.
+How far is Pattaya from Phuket?
About 623 km in a straight line.