Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi 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 is a high energy, colorful, and active resort city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Koh Phi Phi is a stunning, beautiful, and rustic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Pattaya, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Phi Phi is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Pattaya is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Pattaya is well known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Koh Phi Phi is well known for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. Also, Koh Phi Phi is famous for Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Phi Phi and Pattaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Pattaya is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.
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).
Koh Phi Phi offers a few options for museum-goers. It's an island paradise with world class beaches and stunning natural beauty, but if you're looking for museums, temples, and culture, then you'll likely want to head farther north to Northern Thailand.
Pattaya is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.
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.
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Phi Phi area. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.
Pattaya is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.
Pattaya is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.
Koh Phi Phi has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.
Koh Phi Phi is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its resorts.
Koh Phi Phi is a world class resort vacation destination. Despite it's popularity with backpackers and small size, this island also has some of Thailand's most luxurious resorts. Head to Long Beach or Laem Tong to appreciate the quieter side of the island.
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.
Koh Phi Phi is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Koh Phi Phi is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.
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.
Koh Phi Phi is terrific for the beache. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for the beach.
Koh Phi Phi is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.
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.
Koh Phi Phi is a great island for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Koh Phi Phi for the hiking trails. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.
Pattaya is not a hiking destination.
Pattaya is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.
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.
Koh Phi Phi has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. Shopping is limited on the island but you'll find a few souvenir shops with trinkets that you can purchase. Because it's an island, you can expect prices to be high.
Pattaya is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Pattaya is very family-friendly. 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.
Koh Phi Phi is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is on the smaller side and it has a remote tropical island atmosphere. The best side of the island for families is the north end where you'll find the quietest and most beautiful beaches. It's best to avoid the area around Tonsai which has the highest concentration of backpackers and day trippers.
Koh Phi Phi is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.
Koh Phi Phi is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and a remote tropical atmosphere make this is a great place for couples and honeymooners. Head to the quieter north side of the island where you'll find the better resorts and less backpackers, as well as the best beaches.
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.
Koh Phi Phi is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Koh Phi Phi is extremely popular for backpackers. Most people visit this island as a day trip, but for those who linger, they'll be rewarded with dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Most backpackers hang out around Tonsai where things are the cheapest, but the quality can also be very poor.
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.
Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi both offer notable 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.
Koh Phi Phi has a few public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.
Koh Phi Phi is a island with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.
Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable place. You can't walk all of the way around the island because of the cliffs, but you can walk from Tonsai to Long Beach.
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 Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi. In our opinion, Koh Phi Phi has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Koh Phi Phi than Pattaya. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Koh Phi Phi. 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 Koh Phi Phi than Pattaya. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Phi Phi that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi.
Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the colorful resort city of Pattaya. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
In Koh Phi Phi, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful destination of Pattaya. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This resort city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
In Koh Phi Phi, you'll find nightlife and food. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Phi Phi has to offer.
The colorful resort city of Pattaya offers museums and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Koh Phi Phi is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.
Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Pattaya. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Phi Phi. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Phi Phi. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $67, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Koh Phi Phi? 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.
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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.
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi, 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Both Koh Phi Phi and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
Pattaya is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Both Koh Phi Phi 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.
December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi. May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually gets less rain in October than Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season. In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The spring brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.
Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season. May to November in Koh Phi Phi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the spring, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun.
Pattaya is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Pattaya | Koh Phi Phi | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Apr | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
May | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |