Which place is cheaper, Pattaya or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya?
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Pattaya $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Pattaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Pattaya $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Pattaya $48
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Pattaya
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima 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.
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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Pattaya $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya?
Prices for flights to both Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima 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
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Food Meals for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $15Pattaya $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Pattaya $21
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $10Pattaya $8.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Pattaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya?
Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 97300 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Pattaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the summer. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Pattaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)Pattaya 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Pattaya. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.
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. Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in October than Pattaya. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Pattaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Pattaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)Pattaya 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya in the Winter?
Both Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Pattaya. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally around the same temperature as Pattaya. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 25°C (77°F), and Pattaya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)Pattaya 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Pattaya in the Spring?
Both Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima 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. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Pattaya. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's very hot in Nakhon Ratchasima this time of the year. Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 31°C (89°F) in April, and Pattaya fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)Pattaya 30°C (86°F)
Typical Weather for Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Pattaya | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.