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

Should you visit Pattaya or Cairns?

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 Cairns 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Pattaya travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a adventure-filled, tropical, and idyllic city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Cairns travel costs.

Pattaya and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Cairns?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cairns than Pattaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cairns is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Pattaya is known for its museums and attractions. Pattaya is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Cairns is popular for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef.

How is Pattaya different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pattaya is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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).

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pattaya and Cairns.

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.

Dining out in Cairns is an experience not to be missed. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Pattaya or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Pattaya and Cairns.

Pattaya is a must-see party destination. 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.

Cairns is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Is Pattaya or Cairns Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Pattaya and Cairns have excellent options.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in Cairns to choose from. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Is Pattaya or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns 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.

Cairns is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

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 Cairns Better for Beaches?

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

Cairns is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

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 Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is terrific for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Cairns?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Cairns both offer plenty of excellent 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 Cairns. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Pattaya or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its family-friendly activities.

Cairns is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

Pattaya is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Pattaya or Cairns Better for Couples?

Cairns is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Cairns is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

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 Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Cairns is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

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 Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pattaya and Cairns 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.

Cairns has a few public transit options. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Pattaya or Cairns a more walkable city?

Pattaya and Cairns are decent when it comes to walkability.

Pattaya is generally not a very walkable resort city. 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.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Pattaya Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Cairns?

In either Pattaya or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Pattaya because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Pattaya. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Cairns, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Cairns?

Pattaya is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Cairns, 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 Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cairns 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 Cairns has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Pattaya. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairns. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Cairns. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Cairns?

Cairns has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Cairns, 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 Cairns?

Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Pattaya or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Cairns. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Cairnsin April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 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. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Pattaya or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns 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, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pattaya is a little warmer than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns 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. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In the spring, Pattaya is a little warmer than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 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. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Pattaya