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

Should you visit Pattaya or Atami?

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 Atami 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. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Pattaya and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Atami?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pattaya than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pattaya is more touristy than Atami and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Also, Pattaya is famous for the Sanctuary of Truth. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Pattaya different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

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

Pattaya is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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 Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Atami 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.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a resort city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami 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.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a very popular place for the beache. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

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.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Atami?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Families?

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

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Atami are notable 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.

Atami is a good resort city for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Pattaya or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Atami are notable 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 Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

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

Pattaya and Atami both offer notable 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.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Pattaya or Atami a more walkable city?

Atami is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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 Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pattaya or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pattaya than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Atami. 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 Atami. 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 Pattaya than Atami 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 Pattaya.

One day in Pattaya or Atami?

In Pattaya, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this high energy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Atami, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Pattaya or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Pattaya or Atami?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Pattaya. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Atami 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.

A week in Pattaya or Atami?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Pattaya. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami 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 Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Atami?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Atami, 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 Atami?

Atami 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 Atami in the Summer?

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

Pattaya is a little warmer than Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Atami during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Atami. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Atami in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Atami. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Atami. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 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 Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami 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 Atami in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Atami during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Atami. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami 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 Atami for the beaches during these months.

Pattaya is much warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the spring, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Atami. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 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 Atami and Pattaya