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

Should you visit Pattaya or Newcastle?

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 Newcastle 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. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a high energy, trendy, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Pattaya and Newcastle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Newcastle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Newcastle than Pattaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Newcastle is more popular for its museums, hiking, and big city activities, while Pattaya is known for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Pattaya is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Newcastle is popular for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. It is also home to the Bathers Way.

How is Pattaya different from Newcastle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Newcastle is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Newcastle. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

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

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

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 Newcastle is an experience not to be missed. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Pattaya is a must-see party destination. 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.

Newcastle has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Resorts?

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

Pattaya is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Newcastle is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Pattaya has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Beaches?

Both Pattaya and Newcastle are considered to be excellent beach destinations.

The beaches at Pattaya attract visitors from all over. 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.

Many people visit Newcastle for it's beautiful beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Hiking?

Newcastle is a city with good options for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Newcastle?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Newcastle both offer plenty of excellent 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 Newcastle. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Families?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Newcastle is a family-friendly resort city. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Newcastle 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.

Newcastle is a good resort city for couples to visit. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Newcastle 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 Newcastle. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

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

Pattaya and Newcastle 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.

Newcastle has a few public transit options. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

Is Pattaya or Newcastle a more walkable city?

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

Newcastle is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

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 Newcastle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newcastle or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Newcastle?

It's fun to spend time in either Pattaya or Newcastle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Newcastle 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 Newcastle.

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Newcastle. 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.

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

One day in Pattaya or Newcastle?

You'll find nightlife and food around the resort city of Pattaya. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Newcastle, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city 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 Newcastle?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the colorful destination of Pattaya. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort city has to offer. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Five days in Pattaya or Newcastle?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the high energy resort city of Pattaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Newcastle is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Newcastle?

Pattaya is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Newcastle. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Newcastle?

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

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle 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 visitors come to Newcastle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pattaya is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Newcastle averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein January. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun.

Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Newcastlein January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Newcastle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein April. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Newcastlein April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 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 Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Newcastle. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pattaya is much warmer than Newcastle in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Newcastlein July. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Newcastlein July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Newcastle in the Spring?

Both Newcastle 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 beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

In the spring, Pattaya is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Newcastle averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Newcastle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Newcastlein October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 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 Newcastle and Pattaya