A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Krabi vs. Pattaya for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Resorts

Should you visit Krabi 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 Krabi and Pattaya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a stunning, local, and vibrant town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a active, vibrant, and high energy resort city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Krabi and Pattaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Pattaya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pattaya. Although Krabi and Pattaya are popular destinations, Pattaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pattaya is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Krabi attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Pattaya is more touristy than Krabi and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also well known for the Sanctuary of Truth. Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Krabi different from Pattaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Krabi is a great town 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 Krabi. In the area you'll find mountain top temples such as Wat Tham Suea and natural spots such as Khao Khanap Nam Cave. In town there's the stunning Wat Kaew Korawaram temple as well.

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 Krabi or Pattaya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pattaya. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Krabi. It's not particularly known for its culinary scene, but Krabi Town does have great street food and a lively night market. For some of the best restaurants, head to Chao Fah Road.

Is Krabi or Pattaya Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is an amazing resort city to visit for nightlife. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Pattaya has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Krabi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Is Krabi or Pattaya Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Pattaya. 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.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Krabi offers a few options. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Is Krabi or Pattaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Krabi or Pattaya Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

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.

You can check out the beach in Krabi. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Pattaya?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Krabi and Pattaya.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Krabi. The town's night market is fun to explore. There's also the popular Krabi Town Walking Street (where you'll find the night market) as well as some larger stores and small malls near town.

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.

Is Krabi or Pattaya Better for Families?

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

Krabi is a very family-friendly destination. The town makes a great base for island hopping and exploring the province of Krabi. Nearby you'll find Krabi Fun Park, which includes a ropes course. There are also caves nearby to explore and plenty of stunning natural beauty.

Pattaya is a very kid-friendly town. 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 Krabi or Pattaya Better for Couples?

Krabi is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Krabi is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. There's easy access to many beautiful areas with caves, viewpoints, and beaches. Krabi Walking Street also has great restaurants and a lively night market.

Pattaya is a good town 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 Krabi or Pattaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Pattaya are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Krabi is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The town has a more local vibe, as many backpackers head on to Ao Nang or Railay Beach. You'll find affordable accommodation here though, as well as easy access to some great excursions.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Krabi or Pattaya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pattaya is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Pattaya has some 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Krabi. There's no real public transit so you'll need to get around by rental car, motorbike, or songthaew truck (pickup trucks with seats in back).

Is Krabi or Pattaya a more walkable city?

Krabi is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Krabi is a somewhat walkable place. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

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 Krabi Worth Visiting? and Is Pattaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pattaya or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Pattaya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Pattaya. In our opinion, Pattaya has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pattaya than Krabi. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pattaya than Krabi 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 Krabi or Pattaya?

In Krabi, you'll find nightlife and food. This town 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 vibrant 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 Krabi or Pattaya?

In Krabi, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Krabi has to offer.

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 Krabi or Pattaya?

Krabi is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Krabi or Pattaya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Krabi. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Krabi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi 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 Krabi.

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

Which is Bigger, Krabi or Pattaya?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi 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 Krabi or Pattaya in the Summer?

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

Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Pattaya during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pattaya receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Pattaya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Pattaya averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Pattaya in the Autumn?

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

Also, December to March in Krabi is the dry season. August to October in Krabi is the rainy season. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Pattaya. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Pattaya. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. In the autumn, Krabi often gets less sunshine than Pattaya. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pattaya receives 206 hours of full sun.

In October, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Pattaya. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Pattaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Pattaya in the Winter?

Both Pattaya and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi 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 Krabi is December to March. In January, Krabi usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pattaya during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Pattaya receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

Krabi is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Pattaya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Krabi or Pattaya in the Spring?

Both Pattaya and Krabi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Pattaya. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the spring, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pattaya. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pattaya receives 262 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Krabi is around the same temperature as Pattaya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Pattaya averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Typical Weather for Pattaya and Krabi