A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Pattaya for Nightlife, Food, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Nha Trang or Pattaya?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Pattaya. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a resort-filled, vibrant, and high energy city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a high energy, colorful, and active resort city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Nha Trang and Pattaya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Pattaya?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pattaya than Nha Trang. While Nha Trang is larger than Pattaya, Pattaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nha Trang is well known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Pattaya is well known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Also, Pattaya is famous for the Sanctuary of Truth.

How is Nha Trang different from Pattaya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Pattaya?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nha Trang and Pattaya.

Nha Trang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

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 Nha Trang or Pattaya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pattaya has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find fantastic options in both Nha Trang and Pattaya.

Nha Trang is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

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.

Is Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its luxury resorts. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

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.

Nha Trang has a few great resort options. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Is Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nha Trang is not known for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Snorkeling is an option in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Is Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a great resort city for the beache. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

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.

Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Pattaya?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Pattaya is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Nha Trang to go shopping. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Pattaya are very good family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nha Trang is very family-friendly. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

Pattaya is known to be 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 Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Couples?

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

Nha Trang is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Pattaya is a good city 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 Nha Trang or Pattaya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

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

Nha Trang and Pattaya both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

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 Nha Trang or Pattaya a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Nha Trang is a very walkable city. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

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 Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Pattaya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pattaya or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Pattaya?

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

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Nha Trang. 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 Nha Trang than Pattaya 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Pattaya?

In Nha Trang, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city 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 Nha Trang or Pattaya?

In Nha Trang, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nha Trang has to offer.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the colorful 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 Nha Trang or Pattaya?

Nha Trang 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the active 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 Nha Trang or Pattaya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nha Trang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nha Trang. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, 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 Nha Trang and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Pattaya?

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

Both Pattaya and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang is January to August. The rainy season in Nha Trang is September to December. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Pattaya. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Pattaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Pattaya in the Autumn?

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

September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nha Trang. Nha Trang usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Pattaya. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Pattaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Pattaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Pattaya in the Winter?

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

January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. In January, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Nha Trang is generally cooler than Pattaya. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Pattaya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Pattaya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Pattaya. Nha Trang 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. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Pattaya. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nha Trang is cooler than Pattaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Pattaya fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

Typical Weather for Pattaya and Nha Trang