A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Pattaya for Nightlife, Resorts, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Dubai or Pattaya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Pattaya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a high energy, colorful, and active resort city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Pattaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Pattaya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai than Pattaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, museums, music, resorts, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pattaya is known for its beaches. Pattaya is more touristy than Dubai and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Pattaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pattaya and Dubai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Pattaya is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Pattaya is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Pattaya?

Dubai is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dubai. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Pattaya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dubai and Pattaya both to be superb destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pattaya makes for a great culinary experience. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find amazing options in both Dubai and Pattaya.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

The nightlife in Pattaya is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Music?

Dubai is terrific for its live music scene. However, Pattaya is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Dubai. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Pattaya is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Resorts?

Dubai is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its resorts.

Dubai is a world class resort vacation destination. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

There are plenty of resorts in Pattaya to choose from. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai and Pattaya both offer good scuba diving or snorkeling spots.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Pattaya has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a great resort city for the beach. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its beaches.

Pattaya is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Pattaya?

Dubai is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Dubai draws large crowds to its stores. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pattaya. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Pattaya.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Pattaya is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Pattaya are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Pattaya is a nice destination for couples. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pattaya is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Pattaya is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Students?

Dubai is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya is not popular with students.

Dubai is a very popular city for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

Is Dubai or Pattaya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubai and Pattaya both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Pattaya has a few public transit options. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

Is Dubai or Pattaya a more walkable city?

Dubai and Pattaya are decent when it comes to walkability.

Dubai is generally not a very walkable city. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

Pattaya is generally not very walkable. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Pattaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pattaya or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Pattaya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dubai and Pattaya. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than in Pattaya. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Pattaya.

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Pattaya. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dubai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dubai than Pattaya. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dubai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Dubai or Pattaya?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Pattaya, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Pattaya?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Pattaya?

Dubai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dubai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Pattaya. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Pattaya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Pattaya. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Pattaya, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Pattaya is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Pattaya.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Pattaya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Pattaya?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Pattaya, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Dubai or Pattaya?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Pattaya in the Summer?

Both Pattaya and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Dubai is June to August. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Pattaya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Pattaya. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Pattaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Pattaya in the Autumn?

Both Pattaya and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round.

December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Pattaya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Dubai is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Pattaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Pattaya in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Pattaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Pattaya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Dubai is cooler than Pattaya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Pattaya averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Pattaya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Pattaya. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.

Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Pattaya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Dubai is generally cooler than Pattaya. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Pattaya fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

Typical Weather for Pattaya and Dubai