Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pattaya or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Whitsundays? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Paramotor Experience in Pattaya Include Pickup Transfer: $216
- Private Transfer from Rayong to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $206
- Full-Day Enduro Adventure in Pattaya with Hotel Transfers: $205
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang Cruise Port to Bangkok hotels: $155
- Private Transfer from Pattaya to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $155
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang Port to D.Mueang Airport (DMK): $155
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang Cruise Port to Bangkok City : $140
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang Port to D. Mueang Airport(DMK): $140
- Half-Day Enduro Adventure in Pattaya with Hotel Transfers: $139
- Private Transfer from Rayong to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $131
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $124
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
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Food Meals for one dayPattaya $43Whitsundays $52
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 with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $45
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $54
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $54
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $60
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Andamanda Waterpark Phuket Ticketed Fun: $53
- Private Wachira Benchathat Tour with Transportation: $287
- 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $72
- 6 Hour Private Selfie City Tour in the Landmark of Pattaya: $102
- Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $39
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Admission Ticket: $50
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Tickets: $50
- All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $49
- Art In Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
- Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
- Art in Paradise Pattaya 3D Illusion Museum Ticket : $13
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pattaya or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.
In July, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPattaya 29°C (84°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays 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.
Pattaya is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundaysin April. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundaysin April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPattaya 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round.
In the winter, Pattaya is much warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPattaya 27°C (80°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Whitsundays. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the spring, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin October. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Pattaya usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPattaya 30°C (86°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Pattaya
| Pattaya | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.