A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lhasa vs. Pattaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lhasa or Pattaya?

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

Should I visit Lhasa or Pattaya? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Pattaya?

Lhasa

Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.

Pattaya

Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.

Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.


Which place is cheaper, Pattaya or Lhasa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $71, while the average daily cost in Pattaya is $66. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lhasa and Pattaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lhasa $39
    Pattaya $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lhasa $78
    Pattaya $48
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Pattaya

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Pattaya? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Lhasa


Hotels in Pattaya


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pattaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lhasa $2.56
    Pattaya $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya HTL-APT (BKK): $59
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya HTL-APT (DMK): $67
  • Tiffany's Show Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $61
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $64
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $64
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya Admission with Transfer: $42
  • The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $35
  • The Sanctuary of Truth at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $35
  • Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
  • Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $19
  • Surat Thani Hotel Transfer: to/from Bangkok Hotel Transfer: $419
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Pattaya?

Prices for flights to both Pattaya and Lhasa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lhasa $26
    Pattaya $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya

For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32
  • Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $47
  • Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $67
  • Islands Hopping Tour by Catamaran with Dinner Buffet in Chon Buri: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lhasa $17
    Pattaya $21

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4 Days Lhasa City Essence Tour: $745
  • 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
  • 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
  • Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
  • Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,729

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.

  • Amazing Pattaya Experience Tour to All Famous Points in One Day: $53
  • 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $62
  • 2 Islands Full Day Tour Catamaran with Lunch in Pattaya: $103
  • 3 Days Thailand Motorcycle Coastal Tour: $1,054
  • 5 Days – Motorcycle tour to River Kwai and Khao Yai: $1,757
  • A Superstar Model Experience in Pattaya with Photo Expert: $112
  • ATV & Buggy Adventures Pattaya - Novice Rider 27km Basic Track: $99
  • ATV & Buggy Off-Road Adventures in Pattaya: $97
  • Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $33
  • Alcazar Cabaret Show Tickets: $21
  • All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $42
  • Amazing Discovery Pattaya Tours with Floating Market & Lunch : $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lhasa $6.90
    Pattaya $8.18


When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Pattaya, we can see that Lhasa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Pattaya?

Lhasa has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa 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.