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

Should you visit Pattaya or Tokyo?

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 Tokyo 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.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a high tech, high energy, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Pattaya and Tokyo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Tokyo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Pattaya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is more popular for its museums, food, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pattaya is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Pattaya is more touristy than Tokyo and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Tokyo is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also home to The Sensō-ji Temple.

How is Pattaya different from Tokyo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Tokyo are world-renowned. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

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 Tokyo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tokyo is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Tokyo have been singled out for their culinary prowess. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

Dining out in Pattaya is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Pattaya and Tokyo.

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.

Tokyo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Music?

Tokyo is terrific for its live music scene. However, Pattaya is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Tokyo. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Pattaya is not a live music destination.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Resorts?

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

Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tokyo 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.

Tokyo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is great for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Pattaya is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Tokyo?

Tokyo is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Tokyo draws large crowds to its stores. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pattaya. 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.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Families?

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

Tokyo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

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.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Couples?

Tokyo is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Tokyo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

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.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Tokyo 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 Tokyo. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo Better for Students?

Tokyo is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya is not popular with students.

Tokyo is a very popular city for students. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

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

Tokyo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Tokyo can take you anywhere. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

Pattaya has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Pattaya or Tokyo a more walkable city?

Tokyo is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Tokyo is a very easy city to get around on foot. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

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 Tokyo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tokyo or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Tokyo?

Both Pattaya and Tokyo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than in Pattaya. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 3-7 days is enough time in Tokyo.

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Pattaya. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tokyo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Tokyo?

In Pattaya, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this high energy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Tokyo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Pattaya or Tokyo?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Pattaya. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Tokyo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tokyo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Tokyo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Pattaya. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?

Tokyo 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 Tokyo in the Summer?

Both Tokyo 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 visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pattaya is a little warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Tokyo averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo 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, most visitors come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun.

Tokyo 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 Tokyo. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 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 Tokyo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Tokyo. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

In the spring, Pattaya is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Tokyo averages at about 14°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 Tokyo. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Tokyo. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 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 Tokyo and Pattaya