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

Should you visit Pattaya or Adelaide?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Adelaide 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.

Pattaya

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

Adelaide

Adelaide is a under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Adelaide travel costs.

Pattaya and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Adelaide?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pattaya than Adelaide. While Adelaide is larger than Pattaya, Pattaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pattaya is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Adelaide attracts visitors for its hiking. Pattaya is more touristy than Adelaide 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. Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Pattaya different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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 for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Adelaide. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

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

Pattaya is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide 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 Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is renowned for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Pattaya is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Adelaide is not a resort destination.

In Pattaya, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a resort city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Both Pattaya and Adelaide are considered to be great beach destinations.

The beaches at Pattaya attract visitors from all over. 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.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Adelaide is a city with good options for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Adelaide. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Adelaide?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Adelaide both offer plenty of great spots.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Adelaide. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Families?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Pattaya is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Adelaide are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Pattaya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Adelaide is a good resort city for couples to visit. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Adelaide are nice places to visit.

Pattaya is a good resort city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Pattaya or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its public transit.

The public transit in Adelaide can get you around easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

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 Pattaya or Adelaide a more walkable city?

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

Adelaide is a very walkable city. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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 Pattaya Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Pattaya or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Adelaide due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Adelaide. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Adelaide 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 Adelaide.

One day in Pattaya or Adelaide?

The resort city of Pattaya offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Adelaide, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Pattaya or Adelaide?

Pattaya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort city makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pattaya, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Pattaya or Adelaide?

Pattaya is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Adelaide is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A week in Pattaya or Adelaide?

Pattaya is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort city offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pattaya is in Asia and Adelaide is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Pattaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Adelaide, 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 Pattaya or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pattaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Adelaide in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Adelaide. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year.

In July, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Adelaidein January. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Adelaide during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Adelaidein January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Adelaide in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Adelaide. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Adelaide for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Pattaya is much warmer than Adelaide in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Adelaide fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Adelaidein April. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun.

Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Adelaidein April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season.

Should I visit Pattaya or Adelaide in the Winter?

Both Adelaide and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Adelaide in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pattaya is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Adelaide averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Adelaidein July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Adelaide in the Spring?

Both Adelaide and Pattaya during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Adelaide for the beaches during these months.

In April, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Adelaidein October. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the spring, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Adelaidein October. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in April than Adelaidein October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Pattaya