A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Zhangye for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pattaya or Zhangye?

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 Zhangye 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 Zhangye?

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.

Zhangye

Zhangye, China is a city in the Gansu Province in the central north part of the country, close to Mongolia. This ancient city has often been used as a military strong hold, having been the headquarters of General Huo among many others. Zhangye is a fabulous day trip city to visit when staying in larger nearby cities.

Zhangye is privy to beautiful summer weather, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the high 70's Fahrenheit. The best times to visit are between July and September, when temperatures and sunshine are at their highest. Autumn, Winter, and Spring tend to be a little chillier and rainier.

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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangye or Pattaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Zhangye is $105. 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 Zhangye in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pattaya $27
    Zhangye $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pattaya $54
    Zhangye $78
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Zhangye

Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Zhangye? 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.

Hotels in Pattaya


Hotels in Zhangye


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pattaya $13
    Zhangye $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Pattaya Coral Island Tour with Indian Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $4.35
  • Private Transfer between Pattaya and U Tapao Airport : $16
  • The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Ticket & Transfer Optional: $19
  • Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
  • Pattaya Art in Paradise Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $22
  • Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
  • Private U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya Airport Transfer to Pattaya City: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer from Pattaya to DMK or BKK Airport : $27
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport BKK or DMK to Pattaya Hotel: $27
  • Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $27
  • Mini Siam Miniature World Admission with Roundtrip Transfer from Pattaya: $28
  • Colosseum Show Pattaya Ticket with Private Hotel Transfers: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangye

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhangye:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Hotel to Zhangye Airport (YZY): $59
  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Airport (YZY) to Zhangye Hotel: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Zhangye?

Prices for flights to both Zhangye 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pattaya $43
    Zhangye $45

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pattaya $24
    Zhangye $11

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.

  • Coral Island Speedboat Tour from Pattaya Only for Indian Tourists: $3.15
  • Pattaya Floating Market Tickets: $3.19
  • Pattaya Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch: $5.00
  • Pattaya Floating Market Ticket with 4 Regions Thai Culture: $5.73
  • Experience The Floating Market in Pattaya: $6.00
  • Pool Party and Foam Experience for Indian Tourists at Pattaya : $6.41
  • Pattaya Coral Islands Tour with Lunch: $8.05
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya Tickets: $9.00
  • Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
  • Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $10
  • Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $10

Tours and Activities in Zhangye

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zhangye are as follows:

  • Private day tour to Zhangye Danxia Landform the Rainbow Mountain: $150
  • From 6-Day Private Photography Tour to Dunhuang: $1,099
  • Private Day Tour: Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes and Zhangye Danxia Landform: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Binggou Danxia and Zhangye Danxia Geopark from Zhangye: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and the Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes: $235
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Mati temple & Giant Buddha Temple start from Zhangye: $155
  • Zhangye Danxia Half Day tour: $195
  • Zhangye One Day City Tour: $77
  • Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Private Day Tour: $214
  • Danxia Geopark & Giant Buddha Private Day Tour: $246
  • Mati Temple Grottoes & Giant Buddha Temple Tour: $257

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pattaya $9.42
    Zhangye $7.01


When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Zhangye, we can see that Zhangye is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Zhangye Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Zhangye?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Zhangye. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Zhangye, 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.