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

Should you visit Pattaya or Nanjing?

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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing?

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.

Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Nanjing or Pattaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $96. 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 Nanjing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pattaya $24
    Nanjing $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pattaya $48
    Nanjing $92
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Nanjing

Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Nanjing? 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 Nanjing


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 $12
    Nanjing $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

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

  • Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $11
  • Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $37
  • 3 Hours Private Hotel to Airport Departure Transfers in Rayong: $94
  • Admission Ticket to Underwater World Pattaya with Return Transfer: $37
  • Airport transfer in Rayong from Hotel to Airport (UTP): $36
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Pattaya: $50
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Rayong/ Koh Samed: $75
  • Art in Paradise Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $16
  • Bangkok Hotel Transfer: to/from Pattaya Hotel Transfer: $95
  • Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $142
  • Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Transfer: $39
  • Bus transfer between Pattaya and Bangkok: $3.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $120
  • Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $114
  • Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
  • Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
  • Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
  • Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
  • Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
  • Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Nanjing?

Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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 $22
    Nanjing $28

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, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32
  • Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $47
  • Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $67
  • Islands Hopping Tour by Catamaran with Dinner Buffet in Chon Buri: $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.

  • 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
  • Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pattaya $21
    Nanjing $9.27

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

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

  • Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
  • Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $3.60
  • Skip the Line Ticket of Flower Land Pattaya at Sun Leisure World : $4.85
  • FlowerLand Pattaya Admission Ticket (Optional Activities): $4.99
  • Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $5.41
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
  • Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $6.62
  • LAZGAM Laser Game at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $7.10
  • LAZGAM Laser Game in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $7.10
  • Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.21
  • Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $7.62
  • Half-day Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch from Pattaya: $7.76

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
  • 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
  • All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
  • All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
  • Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
  • Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pattaya $8.18
    Nanjing $9.46


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


Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Nanjing?

Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Nanjing, 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 Nanjing?

Nanjing 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 Nanjing in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Nanjing. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Nanjing in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Nanjing fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Nanjing. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Nanjing. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pattaya 29°C (84°F) 
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Nanjing in the Autumn?

Both Nanjing and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.

In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Nanjing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Nanjing averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Pattaya. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pattaya 28°C (82°F) 
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Nanjing in the Winter?

Both Nanjing and Pattaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Nanjing. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pattaya 27°C (80°F) 
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Nanjing in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Nanjing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round.

Pattaya is much warmer than Nanjing in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Nanjing fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Nanjing. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pattaya 30°C (86°F) 
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Nanjing and Pattaya

Pattaya Nanjing
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 30°C (86°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 30°C (85°F) 202 mm (7.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 29°C (85°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 232 mm (9.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in)