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

Should you visit Pattaya or Kobe?

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 Kobe 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Pattaya travel costs.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kobe travel costs.

Pattaya and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Kobe?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pattaya than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Pattaya, Pattaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pattaya is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Kobe is known for its big city activities. Pattaya is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also home to the Sanctuary of Truth. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Pattaya different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Kobe. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pattaya and Kobe.

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.

Dining out in Kobe is an experience not to be missed. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is an amazing resort city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Pattaya has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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 Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is great for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is great for the beach. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Kobe?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Kobe both offer plenty of very good spots.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Kobe. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Families?

Pattaya is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Pattaya. 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.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Kobe are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Pattaya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Kobe is a good resort city for couples to visit. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Pattaya or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Kobe are good 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 Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

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

Pattaya and Kobe both offer good 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.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Pattaya or Kobe a more walkable city?

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

Kobe is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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 Kobe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Kobe?

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

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Kobe. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Pattaya than Kobe. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pattaya that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pattaya. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kobe, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Kobe?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Kobe, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kobe has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Kobe?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the high energy destination of Pattaya. This resort city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kobe is a great place to explore. 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 Kobe?

The high energy resort city of Pattaya offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kobe. 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 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Kobe, 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 Kobe?

Kobe 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 Kobe in the Summer?

Both Kobe and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Kobe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Kobe averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Kobe. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Kobe in the Autumn?

Both Kobe and Pattaya during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun.

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Kobe. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Should I visit Pattaya or Kobe in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Pattaya is much warmer than Kobe in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Kobe. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Kobe in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Kobe. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Pattaya is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Kobe averages at about 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the spring, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Kobe. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Pattaya