Thailand Pattaya or Phuket where better. Which is better, phuket or pattaya

Pattaya or Phuket - which is better? Even those tourists who have already been to Thailand sometimes puzzle over what to choose? Which city do you prefer? Pattaya or Phuket - island vacation or Gulf of Thailand?
Where is cheaper - in Phuket or in Pattaya? Where are the best beaches? how much does a ticket to Phuket cost, and how much to Pattaya?
There are many questions when planning a vacation, which I will try to answer today. Let's compare the climate, weather, beaches, prices in Phuket and Pattaya, the cost of renting a house, transport, excursions and other important components of any vacation to make it easier to choose.

Where to go to Phuket or Pattaya?

I am constantly asked about this and although I live in Pattaya, I will not argue that Phuket is worse than Pattaya, or Pattaya is better than Phuket. Thank God we are all different, we have different preferences and tastes, different expectations from the rest, plans for it, and so on. In today's article, I will try to objectively compare the two main resorts in Thailand, list their pros and cons, so that you can decide for yourself what is best for you and where to fly, to Pattaya or Phuket.

Weather and climate in Pattaya and Phuket

If we talk about the weather, then Pattaya on this point confidently breaks ahead of all other resorts in Thailand.
In Pattaya, the weather is consistently even, the same weather all year round, with the exception of a short period of rains, which, however, even during the rainy season do not interfere with rest, as they go at night and for a short time.
In Pattaya, the whole year is +30 +35, in winter the temperature drops to +25 in the morning.

In Pattaya there is no pronounced rainy season, you can go here to relax in any month. The main precipitation falls in late October - early November.

The weather in Phuket can bring a lot of surprises to vacationers. Firstly, in Phuket there is a pronounced seasonality, as in other islands of Thailand.
If it rains in Phuket, then it can pour like a bucket and for several days in a row. For example, now, in the dry season, the same Koh Samui has been swimming all day long, but it shouldn’t be in season.

The most favorable months for holidays in Phuket are from December to March, in other months, the weather is unpredictable, you can come on vacation and sit all the time in your room because of the rains.

Earthquake danger. As recently as yesterday, an earthquake hit Sumatra in Indonesia, there are injured and dead. It would seem, and here Phuket?
Despite the fact that everything is nearby, in Phuket there were tremors of 3 points, a little, but unpleasant.
Remembering the 2004 tsunami in Phuket, like it or not, you will think about how safe it is to go there. I have a family friend who died there during the tsunami.

Phuket or Pattaya - the sea and beaches in Phuket and Pattaya

You don't need to be an expert here to say that the beaches and sea in Phuket will give Pattaya a hundred points ahead.
If you are going overseas to Pattaya, then this is a big mistake. The sea in Pattaya is mediocre, the city beaches have yellow sand, and the water is often muddy. Not always of course, and not everywhere, but the azure sea with white sand in Pattaya can only be found on nearby islands like Koh Lan and on military beaches in the suburbs.

For example, now in Pattaya, even in the city, the sea is very clean and transparent, the beaches are clean. Because the weather, (no storms, cool), and also because there is constant work to improve.
Tones of new sand are brought to Jomtien and Beach Road, which are poured into the sea, onto the beach, new palm trees are planted, the coastline is expanded, in general, they try at least not to worsen what is.

There are more beaches in Phuket, the choice is wider, you can come and swim on any beach in Phuket.
In season, the beaches of Phuket are crowded, of course, but due to the length of the coastline, everyone will find a secluded place for themselves. The most popular beach in Phuket is Patong, not for introverts of course,
but those who need peace and quiet should just stop in less crowded areas, away from the center.

If you have transport in Phuket, then you will have access to such good beaches as Freedom, Paradise, Three Trang Beach, if not, you can relax and swim in Patong.
Just don't lie down right off Bangla Road, walk a few minutes to the side and get a free beach with clear water, palm shade and no intrusive vendors trying to sell you something every five seconds.

The sea in Phuket is clean, there is almost no garbage in the sea, after all, this is an island that is washed from all sides and even if they litter from ships and boats, everything safely floats back into the sea. But it happens that the sea begins to bloom algae, which can spoil the joy of swimming.

Both in Pattaya and Phuket, it makes sense to stay in a hotel with its own beach, so as not to waste precious time on trips and trips to it.
So in the question of beaches, which is better Phuket or Pattaya? Phuket is better.

In my opinion, the best beach hotels in Phuket are:

Kathathani Phuket

The best hotels with a private beach in Pattaya are:

Also, for lovers of quiet rest and solitude flying to Pattaya, I would advise, if not for the whole vacation, then at least for a few days to stay on the island of Koh Lan, right on a good beach.
During the day there are few people there, and after 15, no one at all. You will be left to yourself, the sea and the sun.

How to get from the airport to Pattaya and Phuket

From Phuket Airport it is cheaper and more convenient to order a transfer to the hotel you need via Kiwi taxi, which will be met with a sign and will take you to the place for a fixed fee,
than catching local buses or trying to bargain with bombers who overestimate their services at least twice.
The bus from the airport to Patong runs every two hours, if you arrive in the evening, this option is no longer available, since the last one leaves at 17:00.
Early in the morning or afternoon, you can try to take a bus to Phuket Town for 100 baht, and then with a tuk-tuk transfer. This method is not very suitable for beginners, since you can not wait for the right one,
confuse stops, get lost and stretch the pleasure after the flight for many hours.

Getting from Bangkok airport to Pattaya is much easier. The distance from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya is 120-150 km, (depending on the area where you are heading), you can get to the bus station in Pattaya for 120 baht.

The disadvantage of this method is that upon arrival, especially during the season, it turns out that all tickets for the next flights are sold out and the next bus will have to wait several hours.
This option is not suitable for families with children, those who had a difficult flight with transfers and the elderly.
I do not recommend ordering a taxi at the airport, it is expensive. The most profitable option Kiwi Taxi. This is how we get from Pattaya to Bangkok airport and back, if necessary.
A simple form of ordering and payment, you don’t need to pay anything in advance, they often make discounts, wait, meet with a sign.

Here is a review about Kiwi Taxi from our reader:

"Good morning! They arrived yesterday. Taxi driver Kiwi was waiting for us with a sign at the exit, which was written to us in advance on the confirmation receipt. The car is comfortable. We got to our destination perfectly)) the driver asked us to take a picture for a review, we didn’t mind)) Katerina, thank you for your work in collecting and writing useful information!)”

Phuket or Pattaya - prices for tours from Russia

And then Phuket loses to Pattaya. In most cases, the price of a trip to Phuket is more expensive than the same to Pattaya.

How to save on insurance?

You need insurance abroad. Any admission is very expensive and the only way not to pay out of pocket is to choose an insurance policy in advance. For many years we have been making out on the site, which give the best prices for insurance and selection, along with registration, takes only a couple of minutes.

High-quality excursions in Phuket and low prices can be found on the websites and

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations today. Below we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of the two most attractive resorts in this country, and you will get the answer to your question - Pattaya or Phuket?.

The first city is located in the south of the country and is part of the mainland. Phuket is an island, which is why it has its own characteristics.

It is difficult to answer the question of where it is better to spend your vacation, choosing from two options. First of all, you need to clearly understand what kind of vacation for you, your family or friends is ideal. Having determined this, it will be easier to make your choice.

beaches

Pattaya

In this regard, the resort is clearly inferior to competitors. Firstly, all city beaches are very crowded and therefore quite dirty. The proximity to the noisy large embankment does not play the best role. There are dozens and hundreds of tourists who take walks every day, going to one or the other beach. Only private territories can be considered exceptions, but access there for outsiders is closed.

Secondly, this is a huge number of merchants who, like ants, move in different directions along the beach. A lot of sun loungers, sunbeds, umbrellas, but they are all paid. The coast is literally littered with such things. It will take more than one minute to find a free place.

There are also beaches in the northern part of the city. However, most of them are simply unsuitable for swimming: a muddy bottom or huge rocky boulders. The only noteworthy beach is the coast of Koh Lan.

Real bliss can be experienced on the beaches of the city. Firstly, it is the most beautiful white sand, very soft and gentle.

Secondly, a large number of sparsely populated beaches. Here, without any problems, you can find a great place to relax by the sea with the whole family.

One of the most popular is Patong. There is a lot of free space, convenient location makes it easy to get from anywhere in the city.

It is rare to find garbage here and rare traders will not bother you during the rest.

Types of excursions / attractions

If you are aiming to spend your vacation actively and get acquainted with the culture and history of the country, then when choosing a resort, bet on the first one. For starters, you can take an on-site excursion to. This city is just a couple of hours drive from Pattaya. And in the city itself, tourists will be able to see such sights:

floating market;
Tropical garden with orchids;
Hill of the Buddha;
Temple of Truth;
Park of miniature copies of world-famous structures;
Aquarium, which is an underwater tunnel;
Elephant village.

In addition, various show-ballets and theaters for adults perform daily in the city. With the sunset, you can see fascinating and bewitching performances here.

A beach holiday in the city can be considered excellent, but the resort is not very rich in attractions. Although here you can find something to look at. For the most part, these are amazing natural places. For example, Phang Nga Bay with a unique rock formation located right in the water. One of the James Bond films was filmed in these places.

Wat Chalong is one of the most important temples in the city. This is a beautiful architectural structure, inlaid with small glass details.

From Phuket, you can easily get on a tour of Phi Phi Island. This is one of the most picturesque places in the world.

And, of course, there are many observation platforms that offer breathtaking views of the city, the sea and the islands.

Resort weather

In winter and spring, excellent weather sets in throughout Thailand. Minimum rainfall, high air and water temperatures. At this time, the weather conditions in both cities are good for a beach holiday.

It starts in May and continues until the very end of October. At this time, the weather in Pattaya and Phuket has a slight difference.

In this city, the rainy season is more gentle. Precipitation is infrequent, about once or twice a week. However, the sky is cloudy most of the time.

During this period, it is less attractive for recreation. Frequent gusty winds, high rainfall: showers. The sea is restless.

Type of holiday (youth or family)

This city is simply created for young and active people. An incredible holiday atmosphere reigns here almost around the clock. At the peak of the tourist season, there are a lot of people both on the streets of the city and on the beaches.

Nightlife is represented by dozens of clubs and bars.

This resort is suitable for a noisy group of friends. Some people feel uncomfortable here.

Phuket also has its own kinds of entertainment for adults. But for the most part they are concentrated in a separate area - Patong.

Other places are more calm and quiet. You can find an excellent hotel near the sea, where a holiday for the whole family will be ideal.

Price policy

Which resort has the best pricing policy? Given the different position of the resorts, you can more clearly understand the pricing criteria. The fact is that the island will cost more for vacationers due to the fact that any cargo transportation in this direction requires additional costs.

In this regard, the prices for housing, products and additional services are somewhat higher. Of course, if you wish, you can always find an inexpensive option, if the absence of any additional services does not scare you.

Taxi (from one area to another)

From 1.5 to 2.5 $

Bike rental

To rent, you must have your passport and driver's license with you. Usually the local police do not check for the latter, but if you do get caught, you will have to pay a fine of about $15.

from $75 per month

From $90 per month

Public transport in the resort towns of Thailand is represented by ordinary taxis and tuk-tuks. The second ones are a closed body with benches installed inside, usually there are two of them. These cars can accommodate several people.

The fare in both cases is almost the same. The price of tuk-tuks is quite high. As experienced tourists advise, be sure to negotiate the price in advance and do not hesitate to ask and remind. Drivers of this transport in rare cases know at least elementary words in English.

Advice! Do not swear and raise your tone, argue if the proposed price does not suit you. In Thailand, this way you will not solve the problem. Your best bet is to simply find another more accommodating carrier.

Pros and cons of resorts

Having carefully studied the information presented above, we can draw conclusions regarding the positive and negative aspects of each city.

In addition, the activity of city life at night can be considered a plus or minus. The rating for this criterion depends only on personal preferences. If we talk about a young group of friends, then for them the presence of nightclubs and bars is a clear plus.

Going to Thailand for the first time, many are wondering - which is better: Phuket or Pattaya? No wonder, because these are the two most popular resorts in this Asian country. We'll try to help you figure this out.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which is better. Firstly, a lot depends on the time of the year for which your trip falls. And secondly, from the goal that you are pursuing. If you are interested in wild discos and adult entertainment - this is one thing. But if you intend to relax with a child or prefer a beach holiday, then this is different.

Let's talk more about this.

Season and weather

What is better in terms of weather Pattaya or Phuket? The correct answer is that they are the same. But keep in mind that the so-called rainy season in Pattaya is winter and autumn, and in Phuket it is spring and summer. If you are planning a beach holiday, keep this in mind. However, possible rains almost always come in the afternoon or at night and interfere little with rest.

Rest

Pattaya- a bustling resort city, with appropriate urban entertainment. At your service also: cafes, restaurants, discos, massage parlors, strip bars and ample opportunities for shopping. That is, it is not worth going here for a beach holiday.
Phuket- a classic beach resort, besides it is an island. Here you will find hotels with all the infrastructure, beaches, the cleanest sea and related marine entertainment. There are, of course, discos with bars, as well as shops, but compared to Pattaya, they are much more modest.

beaches

Let's move on to the beaches of these two places. If you are primarily interested in them, then, of course, you should prefer Phuket. It is not even worth comparing these two places according to these parameters - Pattaya definitely loses and very much.

Phuket beaches— clean, beautiful, offering a variety of services. The sand on them is coral, which means it is snow-white and tender. The sea is calm and clean, and the shores are buried in the greenery of palm trees and tropical vegetation. Coastal reefs are a great place for snorkeling and diving. But know that surfers love to come to Phuket in the rainy season for a reason. During this period, there are quite strong waves. For the attention of fishing enthusiasts, Phuket hosts a regular fishing championship in November.
Pattaya beaches- these are rather classic city beaches, with all the ensuing consequences, and they are not very suitable for a relaxing holiday. True, many small islands, not far from Pattaya, can offer a lot of interesting things for lovers to lie in the sun, but you need to go there, spending time, money and effort.

Entertainment, excursions and prices

Where is cheaper vacation in Pattaya or Phuket? And here Pattaya, as a city, will be in the black - there are more opportunities for budget holidays, prices for housing and food compare favorably with the resort of Phuket. The nightlife in Pattaya is second to none, it is undeniably much more fun, the famous entertainment of Patong is only a pale shadow of what Pattaya has to offer in this regard. It also leads in terms of excursion opportunities, because it is located close to

The most popular resorts in Thailand are Pattaya and Phuket. Therefore, many people have a question, which is better to choose Pattaya or Phuket. I visited both resorts and made a comparison in terms of prices, beaches, natural scenery, variety of attractions and entertainment, nightlife and weather conditions. This article will help you finally decide and choose a resort to your liking.

beaches

In Pattaya, due to the large number of tourists, the beaches are dirty almost everywhere, only Jomtien is more or less clean. For snow-white sand and clear water, you will have to go to the islands closest to Pattaya, for example, Koh Lan.

In Phuket, as well as on other islands of Thailand, the beaches are clean, picturesque with fine white sand and azure sea.

Nature

Since Pattaya is the main resort of Thailand, almost every meter of the city is built up with buildings and there are almost no natural corners left here. Only Pratumnak Hill is the only place where you can spend time among nature.

There are quite a lot of natural areas on the island of Phuket, these are parks, waterfalls, and tropical forests. Here you can enjoy the beauty of nature.

Entertainment and attractions

Pattaya has a huge selection of entertainment and attractions: an aquarium, a dinosaur park, a rock park, a temple of Truth, Big Buddha, a royal theater, a water park and more. Nearby is the ancient cultural center - Ayutthaya.

There are much fewer of them in Phuket, but nevertheless, there is also something to do and see here: waterfalls, Chalong temple, aquarium, monkey camp, Big Buddha, diving, snorkeling.

Night life

In Pattaya is the most popular party street in Thailand - Walking Street. There are many bars, discos, clubs, famous transvestite and Go-Go shows.

An analogue of Walking Street in Phuket is Patong Street, but the nightlife here is not as rich and vibrant as in Pattaya.

Prices

Prices in Pattaya are 1.5-2 times cheaper than in Phuket. Hotels, transport, food are much more expensive in Phuket. Of course, you can also find budget accommodation here. But it's up to you to decide: there is nothing to deny yourself in Pattaya or modestly relax in Phuket.

Weather

In Pattaya, you can relax all year round, even mild here, there are no strong winds and big waves.

It is worth going to Phuket to rest only from December to March, at this time the weather is sunny and clear, the sea is calm, there is no rain. The rainy season begins in April, which is accompanied by strong winds, showers, and high waves at sea. Swimming in such weather is dangerous and numerous signs on the beaches indicate this.

Pros of Pattaya

Lots of entertainment and attractions. Here you will definitely not be bored. Numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, large shopping centers, clubs, spas are waiting for you. Huge selection of excursions, many Russian guides.
The cheapest vacation in Thailand, low prices for housing, transport, clothes, food and more.
It is easy to move around the city, public transport is very cheap.
Comfortable rest all year round, the rainy season is mild.

Cons of Pattaya

The sea and beaches are dirty, garbage often lies along the coast.
There are no picturesque natural places, almost every site is built up with buildings.

Pros of Phuket

Clean beautiful beaches with white sand and clear water.
The infrastructure is well developed: many cafes, restaurants, hotels for every taste and budget, shops.
Quite a lot of entertainment and, but their choice is not as diverse as in Pattaya.
There are many picturesque natural places for a relaxing family holiday, but there is also a street with discos and clubs.

Cons of Phuket

Rest will cost much more than in Pattaya.
Public transport is poorly developed and expensive, you will have to rent a car or scooter.
A comfortable beach holiday is only in winter, during the rest of the year big waves rise on the sea.

Summarizing

You should choose Pattaya if you:

Do you want to save money on vacation?
Love the nightlife;
Prefer more entertainment than a beach holiday;
Want to see many interesting places and sights.

You should opt for Phuket if you:

Love beach holidays;
Prefer to spend time among beautiful nature.

What resort do you prefer? Pattaya or Phuket?

We figure out which of the resorts in Thailand is better - Pattaya or Phuket. We compare the sea, beaches, excursions, prices and reviews of tourists about Phuket and Pattaya - 2019 to understand where it is good to go on vacation on your own or on a last-minute tour.

Where are these resorts located?

Pattaya and Phuket on the map of Thailand:

Which resort to choose in Thailand:

Phuket: holidays with children, swimming, beach holidays;
Pattaya: excursions and attractions, entertainment, separation.

The main argument of Pattaya's supporters is "Phuket gets boring after a few days." But this opinion is individual: it will be boring or fun - it depends only on your needs.

Below in the article we will compare all aspects of recreation in these resorts in Thailand so that you can decide for yourself where it is better to go - to Phuket or Pattaya.

At the end of the article you will find a comparison table of the advantages of each resort, which will help you make the right choice.

Pattaya or Phuket: where is the best weather

When choosing Phuket or Pattaya for a holiday in Thailand, you should have an idea about the climate in these regions of the country.

Holidays in Phuket

In Phuket, it is better to relax in the period from mid-November to April-May - at this time there are no rains, strong winds and waves on the sea, the water is clear, and the beaches are best suited for swimming. It is about the rest during this period that tourists leave the most enthusiastic reviews about Phuket.

The rest of the time (May-October), the rainy season lasts in Phuket: the sky is often overcast and gray, there are waves on the sea, the water can be muddy. It rains often, but mostly in the evenings and at night.

Holidays in Pattaya

In Pattaya, the period from early November to mid-May is also considered a good holiday season. But the rainy season in this part of Thailand is weak, so you can comfortably relax in Pattaya both in summer and in autumn. In addition, due to the geographic location there are never big waves in Pattaya.

Read more about the climate and holiday seasons here:

Thus, if good weather is important to you, you should go to Phuket or Pattaya in the following months:

Phuket: early November - mid-May
Pattaya: all year (but better - from November to the end of May)

Phuket or Pattaya: where is the sea better

If the purpose of your trip to Thailand is swimming and a beach holiday, Phuket will be preferable to Pattaya. If at the same time you are going to rest with small children, you should not even consider the option with Pattaya - the sea and beaches there are much worse, you definitely should not go to such places with a child.

Sea in Phuket

In the holiday season, the sea in Phuket is clear, with clear azure and blue water, excellent photos are obtained on the coast. The bottom is clearly visible at great depths, the entry into the water on the popular beaches is gentle: you can swim and relax even with small children. The purity of the sea is also evidenced by the presence of representatives of the animal world - crabs, lizards, small fish.

Video from the sea at Patong Beach in Phuket (November):

Sea in Pattaya

In Pattaya, the sea is much worse than in Phuket. There is often garbage in the water, it is cloudy, green in color. Almost no one swims in the city, for this tourists go to the beaches in the vicinity of the city or to neighboring islands - and this will have to spend time and money.

The sea in Pattaya is not so terrible that it was dangerous or forbidden to swim in it, but such swimming will bring much less pleasure than in Phuket.

Video of the sea and water in Pattaya:

Which is better: the beaches of Phuket or Pattaya

In our opinion, the beaches in Phuket are generally better for relaxation than the beaches of Pattaya - they are more beautiful and cleaner, but not as rich in clubs, bars and other entertainment.

One of the main advantages of the beaches of Phuket over the beaches of Pattaya is also the proximity of the sea: to get to a good beach in Phuket, you need to walk 200-400 meters from the hotel, and in Pattaya you will have to go at least an hour.

Phuket beaches

Phuket has over 20 beaches, all located on the western side of the island. The beaches are different, you can find the right one for you.

There is a popular and party Patong - generally similar to Pattaya, but on a smaller scale. There are many bars and discos, there is even its own analogue of the depraved Walking Street - here it is called Bangla Road. Patong has many hotels, restaurants and activities for those who love fun.

There are quiet and beautiful beaches without tourists and hotels where you can admire the aquamarine water and natural beauty - these are Tri Trang, Nai Harn, Freedom, Mai Khao.

Finally, there are good beaches Karon, Kata and Kamala - a cross between developed Patong and a quiet deserted coast. It is not as noisy and crowded as in Patong, but it is beautiful, clean and has all the necessary infrastructure for recreation.

Panorama of Karon Beach in Phuket in low season, September (click on one of the arrows if the picture is not visible):

Pattaya beaches

There are also many beaches in Pattaya, but the best of them are those that are further from the city center - for example, Jomtien. However, even Jomtien does not suit many tourists - not everyone swims there.

Panorama of the central beach of Pattaya (Pattaya beach) in the season - December (click on the arrow if the photo is not visible):

Other beaches within the city are usually even worse. Judging by the reviews of tourists, many people like to meet sunsets on the beaches of Pattaya, but for swimming and beach holidays, tourists prefer to go out of town or to the nearest islands - for example, Koh Lan or Koh Samet.

On the islands, the sea is quite clean, there are beaches with good sand and no garbage. The only negative is that you need to spend at least an hour and 50-100 baht to get to the island.

The best beach in the vicinity of Pattaya is the Military Beach. It is located 30 kilometers south of the city, getting there by moped or car is still more convenient than sailing to the island of Koh Lan. The military beach is valued for its cleanliness, good sand, clear sea - all this is quite a rarity for Pattaya. Entrance to the beach is paid (100 baht = 190 rubles), on weekends there are going to rest a lot of tourists and local residents.

There is also a good Nong Ram beach - it is located a little further, and some tourists like it even more than the Military Beach.

Entertainment in Thailand

What is better in terms of entertainment - Phuket or Pattaya?

There are more good bars, restaurants, nightclubs in Pattaya. In Phuket, of course, they also exist, but not in such large quantities. In addition, the prices for food and entertainment in Pattaya are lower.

Pattaya is known as the "City of Debauchery" due to its Walking Street. At the same time, in Phuket there is a similar street (on Patong Beach) - Bangla Road. There, those who wish can find everything the same as on Walking Street in Pattaya.

Attractions and excursions

It is believed that Pattaya is better than Phuket in terms of cultural component: there are more attractions, and excursions are more diverse.

Indeed, in Pattaya itself and its environs there are many attractions, and getting to them is easier: after all, Pattaya is a city, and Phuket is a whole island. In addition, from Pattaya it is easy to get to other cultural places in Thailand - for example, to Bangkok or ancient Ayutthaya.

The sights of Pattaya are the most beautiful park complexes (especially worth noting the Nong Nooch garden), monasteries, zoos.

There is also something to see in Phuket, but there are not many sights, and to get to them, you need to rent a moped or take an expensive taxi (prices start at 800 rubles per train). Excursions in Phuket are mainly by sea - to neighboring islands or to the province of Krabi.

Our maps will help you navigate the sights of Thailand:

Photo: Temple of Truth in Pattaya

Shopping malls and shopping

In terms of shopping and shopping, Pattaya outperforms Phuket: there are many large shopping centers in the city, and if necessary, you can go to Bangkok, which will satisfy the needs of any shopaholic.

Prices for trips to Pattaya are a little more expensive - from 62,000-70,000 rubles for two people (7 nights). For such a price, you can go, for example, to a popular hotel (breakfast included).

Are you planning to travel on a tour? The material Prices for all-inclusive tours to Thailand - 2019 will be useful to you, where we analyzed the cost of tours to different categories of hotels (3, 4, 5 stars) and to different resorts in the country (Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui).

Last minute tours to Thailand: Pattaya or Phuket

In 2019, among the trips to Thailand, there are often last-minute tours to both Pattaya and Phuket. It is convenient to search for such tours through special search engines that compare the price of vouchers from all tour operators - for example, or.

The cost of last-minute tours to Phuket starts from 34,000-39,000 rubles for two people (7 nights).

Last minute tours to Pattaya can be cheaper - we met options for 30,000 rubles for two.

Resort transport

According to many travelers, transport in Phuket is more expensive than in Pattaya, and not as convenient.

Buses and minibuses

Minibuses (songteo) run around Pattaya around the clock, a ticket for which costs only 10 baht (19 rubles). You can get to almost any part of the city by songteo.

In Phuket, minibuses travel only along the routes "beach - Phuket town", a ticket costs 30 baht. That is, to get to the neighboring beach by public transport, you need to go through the center of the island - this is long and inconvenient.

Taxi

Taxi in Phuket is generally the most expensive in Thailand: even for a short trip to a nearby beach, the driver will charge you 400-500 baht (800-1000 rubles). In Pattaya, the price of landing in a taxi is 30-40 baht (60-80 rubles), plus 6 baht (12 rubles) for each kilometer.

Where is it cheaper to travel on your own?

If you are traveling to Phuket or Pattaya on your own, the cost of a flight from Russia may affect the choice of a resort.

In 2019, the difference in airfare is negligible, but it is likely that you can get to Pattaya cheaper.

Flight to Phuket

Unlike Pattaya, Phuket can be reached by direct flight from Russia. Aeroflot tickets cost from 26,800 rubles in summer and autumn, at other times of the year the price rises to 28,000-30,000 rubles.

To get from the airport to your hotel or beach, you need to spend another 120-180 baht for a minibus / bus or 700-800 baht for a taxi.

Read about the cost of a flight to Phuket and the price of a trip from the airport here:

Calendar with prices for flights to Phuket:

Flight to Pattaya

There is U-Tapao Airport 32 kilometers from Pattaya, but planes neither from Russia nor from Bangkok fly there. Thus, to get to Pattaya, you need to fly to Bangkok and then go by bus or taxi.

For the car.

Calendar with prices for flights to Bangkok:

Phuket or Pattaya: where is safer

Experienced travelers claim that Phuket is safer than Pattaya.

In Pattaya, thefts and robberies (for example, cutting off bags and stealing wallets) happen more often, especially in the center. The city has both quite safe areas and those where it can be dangerous in the evening. The hotter the place, the higher the risk of running into scammers and pickpockets.

Phuket is quieter and calmer, there are much fewer security problems: thefts, although they happen, are much less common than in Pattaya.

At the same time, if in Thailand you behave adequately and not defiantly, the probability of getting into an unpleasant situation both in Phuket and Pattaya is extremely small. Just keep a close eye on your bags and things, do not conflict with the locals.

Pattaya or Phuket: which is better to choose for a holiday

So that you can decide where to go on vacation in Thailand, we have made a convenient table with the advantages of each resort.

What is better in Phuket or Pattaya:

If you are traveling to Thailand with small children, it is definitely better to choose Phuket. In other cases, the decision will depend on your preferences: for parties and excursions, you should go to Pattaya, for a beach holiday and clear sea - to Phuket.

Video: what is better to choose from Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui: