Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pattaya or Boracay?
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 Boracay 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.
Where Should I go: Pattaya or Boracay?
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.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $66Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Pattaya and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $24Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $48Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Boracay? 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $12Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $11
- Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $38
- Admission Ticket to Underwater World Pattaya with Return Transfer: $37
- Bangkok Hotel Transfer: to/from Pattaya Hotel Transfer: $96
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $141
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Transfer: $39
- Bus transfer between Pattaya and Bangkok: $3.67
- DMK Airport to Pattaya Hotel Transfer (Private): $68
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $33
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Frost Magical Ice of Siam Pattaya Admission Ticket with Transfer: $32
- Mini Siam Miniature World Admission with Roundtrip Transfer from Pattaya: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $83
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $70
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $60
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $34
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $28
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $27
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $22Boracay $14
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 with Cabaret Show: $32
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $67
- 3 Islands Catamaran Tour with Dinner Buffet: $70
- Islands Hopping Tour by Catamaran with Dinner Buffet in Chon Buri: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $21Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
- Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $3.60
- FlowerLand Pattaya Admission Ticket (Optional Activities): $5.02
- Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $5.46
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $6.69
- LAZGAM Laser Game at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $7.15
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.25
- Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $7.67
- Adventure Coral Island Koh Larn Pattaya with Indian Lunch: $7.97
- Underwater World Pattaya (Ticket Only): $8.09
- Pattaya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $17
- Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
- Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $64
- Best Boracay Sunset Party Boat Experience: $46
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.19
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $75
- Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $115
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $110
- Boracay Combo 1A Water Activities Package Tours: $95
- Boracay Combo 1B Water Activities Package Tours: $150
- Boracay Combo 2 Water Activities Package Tours: $87
- Boracay Combo 3 Water Activities Package Tours: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $8.18Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Boracay, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Boracay?
Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Boracay, 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.
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.