Which place is cheaper, Jinghong or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pattaya or Jinghong?
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 Jinghong 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 Jinghong?
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.
Jinghong
Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.
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 from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.
-
Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesJinghong Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Jinghong $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Jinghong is $83. 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 Jinghong in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Jinghong $20
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Jinghong $40
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Jinghong
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Jinghong? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Jinghong $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Waterpark with Transfers: $65
- Full-Day Enduro Adventure in Pattaya with Hotel Transfers: $205
- Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $43
- Airport Private Transfers from Pattaya City to Suvarnabhumi BKK: $74
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Airport to Hotel (UTP): $36
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Hotel to Airport (UTP): $36
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Ticket with Transfer From Hotel: $28
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Pattaya: $57
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Rayong/ Koh Samed: $85
- Art in Paradise Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $38
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $124
- Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Theme Park Pattaya with Transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Jinghong?
Prices for flights to both Jinghong 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 dayPattaya $43Jinghong $48
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 in Pattaya: $44
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $53
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $53
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $59
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Jinghong $9.31
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Experience The Floating Market in Pattaya: $6.00
- Pool Party and Foam Experience for Indian Tourists at Pattaya : $6.29
- Pattaya Coral Islands Tour with Lunch: $7.90
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $10
- Pattaya Underwater World Admission Ticket: $10
- Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $11
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $11
- Love In Museum in Pattaya Admission Ticket Thailand: $11
- Underwater World Pattaya (Ticket Only): $11
- Skip the Line: Legend Siam at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
- Frost Magical Ice of Siam for Foreigner Ticket: $13
- Pattaya Underwater World Entrance Ticket: $13
Tours and Activities in Jinghong
Here are a few actual costs in Jinghong for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best of Dai Villages | 20km E-Bike Tour: $41
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Jinghong $5.41
When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Jinghong, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Jinghong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Jinghong?
Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Jinghong, 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.