A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Airlie Beach for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

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 Airlie Beach 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 colorful, active, and vibrant resort city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a slow-paced, idyllic, and paradise town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Pattaya and Airlie Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Airlie Beach. Although Pattaya and Airlie Beach are popular destinations, Airlie Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Airlie Beach is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Pattaya attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Pattaya is more touristy than Airlie Beach and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Airlie Beach is famous for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. It is also well known for the Airlie Beach Lagoon.

How is Pattaya different from Airlie Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach?

Pattaya is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Airlie Beach is not a good town for its museums and history.

Pattaya is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Airlie Beach. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.

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

Pattaya is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pattaya makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Airlie Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is very popular for nightlife. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Pattaya is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Airlie Beach. The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Resorts?

Airlie Beach is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its resorts.

Airlie Beach is a world class resort vacation destination. There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.

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.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Airlie Beach is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Airlie Beach is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.

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.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Beaches?

Airlie Beach is terrific for the beache. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for the beach.

Airlie Beach is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.

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.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Hiking?

Airlie Beach is terrific for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Around Airlie Beach visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

Pattaya is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Pattaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Airlie Beach. Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Airlie Beach are very good to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Pattaya is very family-friendly. 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.

Airlie Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy playing in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, visiting the markets, or hanging out at the local beaches or playgrounds. If you're hoping to swim in the ocean, be very aware of the season and the conditions.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Couples?

Airlie Beach is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Airlie Beach is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples often use this as a gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. The dining scene is good and there are countless outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. There are also many different resorts in the area.

Pattaya is a good resort 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 Pattaya or Airlie Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Airlie Beach. If you're hoping to visit the Whitsunday Islands, then is a good place to base yourself as a backpacker. It has a decent selection of hostels and there are a number of restaurants and other dining options.

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

Pattaya and Airlie Beach both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Pattaya offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Airlie Beach has a few public transit options. There's a public bus that runs from Proserpine to Shute Harbour. The main bus station is near the city center and the main beach.

Is Pattaya or Airlie Beach a more walkable city?

Airlie Beach is a great town for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Airlie Beach is a very walkable town. The town itself is walkable, but the surrounding area is hilly and requires a car.

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 Airlie Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Airlie Beach or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

Both Pattaya and Airlie Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Airlie Beach than in Pattaya. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 4-7 days is enough time in Airlie Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach.

One day in Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

In Pattaya, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant resort city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Airlie Beach, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town 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 Airlie Beach?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Airlie Beach, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

You'll find nightlife and food around the colorful destination of Pattaya. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Airlie Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Airlie Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

Pattaya is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Airlie Beach. In Airlie Beach, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pattaya or Airlie Beach?

Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach in the Summer?

Both Airlie Beach and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin January. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun.

Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Pattaya is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Airlie Beach during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Should I visit Pattaya or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Airlie Beach. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Pattaya is much warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Airlie Beachin July. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

Both Airlie Beach and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Pattaya