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

Should you visit Pattaya or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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 active, vibrant, and high energy resort city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Pattaya travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Wellington travel costs.

Pattaya and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pattaya than Wellington. While Wellington is larger than Pattaya, Pattaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pattaya is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Wellington is more popular for its hiking. Pattaya is more touristy than Wellington and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Also, Pattaya is famous for the Sanctuary of Truth. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Pattaya different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Pattaya and Wellington.

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).

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

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

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 Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Pattaya is a world class 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.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Both Pattaya and Wellington 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 Wellington for it's beautiful beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Wellington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Wellington 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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Wellington are excellent to visit with kids.

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.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Wellington are notable 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.

Wellington is a good resort city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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.

Is Pattaya or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is a great city 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 public transit in Wellington can get you around easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pattaya and Wellington. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Wellington 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 Wellington. 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 Wellington 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 Wellington.

One day in Pattaya or Wellington?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the colorful resort city of Pattaya, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wellington, 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 Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Pattaya, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this resort city.

In Wellington, 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 Wellington has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Wellington?

Pattaya, a popular resort city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Pattaya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pattaya is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Wellington. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 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.

Should I visit Pattaya or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Pattaya during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Pattaya is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the spring, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 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.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Pattaya