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

Should you visit Pattaya or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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 colorful, active, and vibrant resort city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a peaceful, serene, and natural town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Pattaya and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Katoomba?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pattaya. Although Pattaya and Katoomba are popular destinations, Pattaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pattaya is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Katoomba attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Katoomba and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also well known for the Sanctuary of Truth. Katoomba is famous for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains.

How is Pattaya different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Katoomba. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Pattaya is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pattaya makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

People head to Pattaya just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Katoomba is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Pattaya to choose from. 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.

Katoomba is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Katoomba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Katoomba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Katoomba is not a beach destination.

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.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

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

Around Katoomba visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Katoomba?

Pattaya is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Pattaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba Better for Couples?

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

Katoomba is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

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 Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Katoomba is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Katoomba. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

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

Pattaya and Katoomba both offer nice 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.

Katoomba has a few public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Pattaya or Katoomba a more walkable city?

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

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively 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 Katoomba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Pattaya or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Katoomba has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

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 Katoomba. Since Katoomba is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Katoomba?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Katoombain January. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

Katoomba gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Katoombain January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Katoomba in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Pattaya is much warmer than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Should I visit Pattaya or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Katoomba. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Pattaya is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Katoombain July. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of rain as Katoombain October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Pattaya