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

Should you visit Pattaya or Brisbane?

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 Brisbane 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 high energy, colorful, and active resort city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Pattaya travel costs.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a diverse, cultural, and active coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Brisbane travel costs.

Pattaya and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Brisbane?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Pattaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brisbane is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and big city activities, while Pattaya is known for its food, nightlife, and resorts. Pattaya is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre.

How is Pattaya different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brisbane is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Brisbane. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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 Pattaya or Brisbane? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Pattaya has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is an amazing resort city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

Pattaya has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Brisbane has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is great for its luxury resorts. However, Brisbane is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Pattaya. 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.

Brisbane is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both Pattaya and Brisbane offer good scuba diving or snorkeling.

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.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Both Pattaya and Brisbane are considered to be superb 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 Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

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

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Brisbane. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Brisbane?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Brisbane both offer plenty of superb 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 Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Brisbane are superb 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.

Brisbane is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Brisbane are good 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.

Brisbane is a good resort city for couples to visit. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

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 Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is a great coastal city for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

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

Pattaya and Brisbane both offer good 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.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Pattaya or Brisbane a more walkable city?

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

Brisbane is a very walkable coastal city. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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 Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Brisbane?

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Brisbane?

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 Brisbane, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal 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 Brisbane?

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 Brisbane, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Brisbane has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Brisbane?

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.

Brisbane 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 Brisbane?

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 Brisbane. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Brisbane. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Brisbane?

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

Brisbane 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 Brisbane in the Summer?

Both Brisbane and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Pattaya is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Brisbanein January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Brisbane in the Autumn?

Both Brisbane and Pattaya during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein April. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein April. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Brisbanein April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 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.

Should I visit Pattaya or Brisbane in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

Pattaya is much warmer than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Brisbane in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Brisbane. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Pattaya is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the spring, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein October. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Brisbanein October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 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.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Pattaya