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

Should you visit Pattaya or Cromwell?

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

Cromwell

Cromwell is a cultural, outdoorsy, and historical town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Pattaya and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Cromwell?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pattaya than Cromwell, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pattaya is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Cromwell is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and small town charm. Pattaya is more touristy than Cromwell 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. Cromwell is well known for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards.

How is Pattaya different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cromwell and Pattaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Cromwell is a town with good options for skiing. However, Pattaya is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Cromwell is a great destination to visit. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Pattaya is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pattaya or Cromwell?

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

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 Cromwell. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

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

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

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 Cromwell area. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cromwell. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its luxury resorts. However, Cromwell 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.

Cromwell is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Cromwell is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a great resort city for the beache. However, Cromwell is not a beach destination.

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.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Cromwell is a great town for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Cromwell for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Cromwell?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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 Cromwell to go shopping. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Cromwell are great 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.

Cromwell is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell Better for Couples?

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

Cromwell is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

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 Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Cromwell 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 Cromwell. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.

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

Pattaya is a resort city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Pattaya or Cromwell a more walkable city?

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

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are 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 Cromwell Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pattaya or Cromwell to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pattaya than Cromwell 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 Cromwell.

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Cromwell. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pattaya than Cromwell 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 Cromwell?

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 Cromwell, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Cromwell?

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 Cromwell, you'll find museums and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cromwell has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Cromwell?

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.

Cromwell is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 Cromwell?

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 Cromwell. Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Cromwell. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

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