Should you visit Pattaya or Koh Phi Phi?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
Which city is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $59, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $64. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Pattaya and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $42 for a double occupancy room in Pattaya If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $72 in Koh Phi Phi For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Pattaya costs travelers about $20 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The price of a meal in Koh Phi Phi can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $10 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $4.00 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Pattaya $20
Koh Phi Phi $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Typical Food prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Pattaya than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $10 on transportation in Pattaya on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Koh Phi Phi than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $6.17 on transportation in Koh Phi Phi on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
-
Private Van Transfer from Pattaya City Center - Hua Hin City Center:
$160
-
Private Car Transfer Pattaya City - Hua Hin City Beach:
$137
-
Private Taxi Transfer Pattaya City Beach Thailand to Siem Reap City Cambodia:
$123
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
-
Private Transfer: BKK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Car:
$100
-
BKK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Private Transfer:
$100
-
DMK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Private Transfer:
$85
-
Private Transfer: DMK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Car:
$85
-
Private Transfer: Pattaya to Bangkok:
$82
-
Private Departure Transfer: Pattaya to Bangkok Airport - 3 PAX:
$79
-
Private City Transfers from Pattaya to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Koh Samet & Koh Chang:
$78
Typical Local Transportation prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
-
Private City Transfers from Pattaya to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Koh Samet & Koh Chang:
$78
-
Private City Transfers between Hua Hin and Bangkok by TTS:
$76
-
Private City Transfers between Hua Hin and Bangkok:
$73
-
Private City Transfers between Hat Yai and Pak Bara Pier:
$68
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya by TTS:
$53
-
Private City Transfers between Ayutthaya and Bangkok by TTS:
$53
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More:
$46
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More by TTD:
$43
-
Private Bangkok and Pattaya Airports Transfers (UTP, DMK or BKK) for Pattaya:
$31
-
7 Spa Luxury Spa Treatments in Pattaya with Round Trip Transfers:
$26
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Pattaya, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $18 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Koh Phi Phi, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $41 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
-
4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
-
ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
-
Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
-
Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
-
Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
-
Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
-
Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
-
Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
-
Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Typical Entertainment prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
-
4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
-
ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
-
Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
-
Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
-
Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
-
Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
-
Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
-
Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
-
Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Pattaya, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.32.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Koh Phi Phi, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.06.
Sample the Local Flavors in Pattaya
Also in Pattaya, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
Typical Alcohol prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
-
Mojito Bucket
$15
-
Banana Daiquiri
$6.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Phi Phi
Also in Koh Phi Phi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
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.
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