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

Should you visit Pattaya or Yokohama?

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 Yokohama 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 vibrant, high energy, and colorful resort city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Pattaya travel costs.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a laid-back, diverse, and bright city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Yokohama travel costs.

Pattaya and Yokohama: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Yokohama?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Yokohama than Pattaya. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Yokohama is very popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Pattaya attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Pattaya is more touristy than Yokohama and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Yokohama is famous for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also well known for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Pattaya different from Yokohama?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Yokohama 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 Yokohama. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

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 Yokohama? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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 Yokohama is an experience not to be missed. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Is Pattaya or Yokohama Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is terrific for nightlife. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

Many people head to Yokohama for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Is Pattaya or Yokohama Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is well known for its resorts. However, Yokohama is not a resort destination.

Pattaya is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Yokohama is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Yokohama Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Pattaya has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Yokohama Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is well known for its beaches. However, Yokohama is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Pattaya. 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.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Yokohama?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Yokohama both offer plenty of high quality 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 Yokohama. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Is Pattaya or Yokohama Better for Families?

Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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 Yokohama Better for Couples?

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

Yokohama is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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 Yokohama Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Yokohama are nice 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 Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Pattaya or Yokohama Better for Students?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

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

Yokohama 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 Yokohama can get you around easily. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

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 Yokohama a more walkable city?

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

Yokohama is a very walkable city. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

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 Yokohama Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yokohama or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Yokohama?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pattaya or Yokohama to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pattaya than Yokohama because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 1-2 days is enough time in Yokohama.

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

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Yokohama?

The resort city of Pattaya offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Because Yokohama is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Pattaya or Yokohama?

Pattaya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort city makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pattaya, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Because Yokohama 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. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Yokohama has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Yokohama?

Pattaya is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Yokohama is a great place to explore. 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 Yokohama?

Pattaya is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yokohama. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Yokohama. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Yokohama?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Yokohama, 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 Yokohama?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Yokohama. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In the summer, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Yokohama. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yokohama in the Autumn?

Both Yokohama and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year.

Pattaya is much warmer than Yokohama in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Yokohama fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. It's quite rainy in Pattaya. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Yokohama. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 175 mm (6.9 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.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yokohama in the Winter?

Both Yokohama 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Yokohama for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pattaya is much warmer than Yokohama. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Yokohama averages at about 6°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 175 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Yokohama. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yokohama in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Yokohama. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yokohama in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Yokohama. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 145 mm (5.7 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.

Typical Weather for Yokohama and Pattaya