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

Should you visit Pattaya or Kampong Cham?

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 Kampong Cham 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 Kampong Cham?

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.

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.

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 Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Kampong Cham or Pattaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Kampong Cham is $36. 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 Kampong Cham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pattaya $27
    Kampong Cham $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pattaya $54
    Kampong Cham $40
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Kampong Cham

Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Kampong Cham? 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 Kampong Cham


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 $13
    Kampong Cham $7.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

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

  • Underwater World at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $41
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya HTL-APT (BKK): $59
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya HTL-APT (DMK): $67
  • Tiffany’s Show Pattaya – VIP Gold/Diamond with Transfers: $75
  • Tiffany's Show Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $70
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $74
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $74
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya Tickets With Transfers: $53
  • The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Ticket & Transfer Optional: $19
  • Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $58
  • Ramayana Water Park with Transfer from Pattaya : $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Kampong Cham?

Prices for flights to both Kampong Cham 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 $43
    Kampong Cham $11

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: $45
  • Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $54
  • Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $54
  • Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $60
  • All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
  • Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pattaya $24
    Kampong Cham $5.76

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

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

  • Andamanda Waterpark Phuket Ticketed Fun: $53
  • Private Wachira Benchathat Tour with Transportation: $287
  • 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $72
  • 6 Hour Private Selfie City Tour in the Landmark of Pattaya: $102
  • Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $39
  • Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Admission Ticket: $50
  • Alcazar Cabaret Show Tickets: $50
  • All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $49
  • Art In Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
  • Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya 3D Illusion Museum Ticket : $13
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pattaya $9.42
    Kampong Cham $5.47


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

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


Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Kampong Cham?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Kampong Cham. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Kampong Cham, 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.