A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pattaya or Datong?

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 Datong 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 Datong?

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.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

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 Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Pattaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, while the average daily cost in Datong 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 Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pattaya $24
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pattaya $48
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Datong? 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.

Hotels in Pattaya


Hotels in Datong


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pattaya $12
    Datong $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Surat Thani Hotel Transfer: to/from Bangkok Hotel Transfer: $419
  • Skydive from 13,000 Feet with Hotel Transfers: $228
  • Private Transfer from Pattaya to Ayutthaya: $175
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Hua Hin: $168
  • Pattaya Hotel Transfer: to/from Hua Hin Hotel Transfer: $159
  • Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $142
  • Pattaya Hotel Transfer: to/from Hua Hin Hotel Transfer: $141
  • Pattaya Hotel Transfer: to/from Hua Hin Hotel Transfer: $129
  • Private Transfer from Rayong to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer from Rayong to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $112
  • Private Transfer from Laem Chabang to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $112
  • Private Transfer from Sattahip to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $102

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pattaya $22
    Datong $20

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, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pattaya $21
    Datong $25

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.

  • 2 Islands Full Day Tour Catamaran with Lunch in Pattaya: $102
  • 3 Days Thailand Motorcycle Coastal Tour: $1,054
  • 5 Days – Motorcycle tour to River Kwai and Khao Yai: $1,757
  • A Superstar Model Experience in Pattaya with Photo Expert: $112
  • ATV & Buggy Adventures Pattaya - Novice Rider 27km Basic Track: $99
  • Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $33
  • All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $42
  • Amazing Discovery Pattaya Tours with Floating Market & Lunch : $75
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
  • Art in Paradise at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
  • Art in Paradise at Pattaya Admission Ticket (3D Art ): $12
  • Art in Paradise: 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $14

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • 1-Day Pingyao tour from Datong and ends of Beijing or Xi'an by Bullet Train: $267
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Datong Highlights with the Lunch: $215
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • All Inclusive Datong Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes : $268
  • All Inclusive Datong Private Tour to Hanging Temple and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: $238
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • All-Inclusive Private Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
  • Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pattaya $8.18
    Datong $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Datong, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Datong.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Datong?

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