A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Lanta vs. Pattaya for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Pattaya can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a tranquil, peaceful, and quiet island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a vibrant, high energy, and colorful resort city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koh Lanta and Pattaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pattaya than Koh Lanta, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pattaya is better known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Koh Lanta is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Also, Pattaya is famous for the Sanctuary of Truth. Koh Lanta is well known for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Koh Lanta different from Pattaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Pattaya is a resort city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Pattaya offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lanta. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

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

Foodies will find both Koh Lanta and Pattaya both to be great destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Lanta. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Pattaya has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Pattaya just to party. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Koh Lanta has a few options to choose from. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

Is Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Koh Lanta and Pattaya have great options.

In Koh Lanta, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

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 Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lanta is a great island for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Koh Lanta is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Pattaya. 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 Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is terrific for the beache. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for the beach.

Koh Lanta is considered to be a world-class beach destination. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

Many people visit Pattaya for it's beautiful 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.

Is Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta is a great island for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Lanta for the hiking trails. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Pattaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Pattaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Is Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Families?

Both Koh Lanta and Pattaya are great to visit with kids.

Koh Lanta is a very kid-friendly island. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Pattaya. 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 Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Koh Lanta is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

Pattaya is a good island for couples to visit. 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 Koh Lanta or Pattaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lanta and Pattaya are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Lanta is a good island to visit for backpackers. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pattaya. 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.

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

Pattaya is a resort city with good options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pattaya, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Is Koh Lanta or Pattaya a more walkable city?

Pattaya is a resort city with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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.

Koh Lanta is not a very walkable island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

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

Should I spend more time in Pattaya or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Lanta and Pattaya. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Lanta than in Pattaya. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Pattaya.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pattaya than Koh Lanta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Pattaya.

One day in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find nightlife and food around the resort city of Pattaya. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lanta has to offer.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the vibrant destination of Pattaya. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort city has to offer. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the high energy resort city of Pattaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lanta. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Lanta. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pattaya is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya than you might in Koh Lanta.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Pattaya?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Pattaya in the Summer?

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

June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in July than Pattaya. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the summer, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Pattaya. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pattaya receives 176 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Pattaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Pattaya in the Autumn?

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

December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives less sunshine than Pattaya during autumn. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Pattaya receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Pattaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Pattaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Pattaya in the Winter?

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

Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in January than Pattaya. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pattaya. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pattaya receives 276 hours of full sun.

In January, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Pattaya. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Pattaya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Pattaya in the Spring?

Both Pattaya and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta is January to April. The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pattaya during spring. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Pattaya receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Pattaya fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

Typical Weather for Pattaya and Koh Lanta