Where is better - in Pattaya or Phuket? We made a big comparison of two major resorts in Thailand according to various criteria (sea, beach, prices for hotels and food, transport, flight), wrote a review and made conclusions about where it is better to go on vacation.
Phuket and Pattaya are the two main resorts in Thailand. Usually tourists choose between them, because few people fly to Krabi or Phangan. We decided to help our readers with a choice - read and choose where to relax.
Our review based on personal experience - over the past few years, we have rested and lived in these resorts more than once and have studied them well. Want to know more about your holiday in Thailand? Read our reports and tips.
We indicate prices for the high (winter) season.
Exchange rate: 1 Thai Baht (THB) ≈ 2.2 RUB.
Pattaya or Phuket: the sea
Phuket. The sea is a million times better than Pattaya! It is clean, you can see crabs and colorful fish that swim in schools in shallow water. Diving and snorkeling are common. The entrance is shallow almost everywhere, which is convenient for vacationers with children. The color of the water is deep blue.
Pattaya. The sea is green mud with garbage. I don't want to go into the water. There are several beaches where the situation is better - Jomtien, Wong Amat, Pratumnak. For the clear sea, you need to sail to the neighboring islands - Ko Lan, for example. It seems that everyone goes there to swim, since in Pattaya tourists exclusively sunbathe. The sea on the island is cleaner, but it is expensive to sail there every day: you spend 2 hours and 120 baht a day for two on a ferry ride, plus food, drinks and fruits on the island are more expensive.
Beaches in Phuket and Pattaya: where is better?
Phuket. For a relaxing break, head to Phuket - the beaches are picturesque and clean. Even Patong Beach, unloved by tourists, was rehabilitated. This is not a heavenly place, but the most comfortable place in Phuket for life and relaxation. You can sing individual praises to sand with silver particles.
There are many beaches on the island - you can find the right one. We liked Kata Noi, Nai Harn, Yanui, Banana Beach and Mai Kao.
Pattaya. We didn't like Pattaya beaches. They are almost all dirty, crowded and noisy. Even if you manage to retire, the merchants will overtake you. The sand is the most common yellow. The central beach is lined with paid sun loungers and umbrellas.
The beaches of Koh Lana are very good, we recommend that you definitely go there for at least a day. True, they are occupied by Russian and Chinese tourists, but you can find a secluded place.
Where are the best beaches, in Pattaya or Phuket? Our opinion is that Phuket is much cleaner and more beautiful.
Phuket and Pattaya landmarks
Phuket. Phuket's attractions are predominantly natural - numerous idyllic islands, beaches and observation decks. In addition, there is Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Phuket Old Town, Soi Bangla and colorful shows and performances. The main attractions are other islands: Phi Phi, James Bond, Similana, etc. There are mainly excursions.
Pattaya. It is richer in sights: the islands, the Temple of Truth, the elephant village, the floating market, the Khao Keo zoo, the Alangkarn theater, the Nong Nooch tropical park, etc. Much of this can be seen on a bike.
Pattaya has a convenient location - it's only about two hours by bus to Bangkok, and that's where the expanse for lovers of cultural recreation is! In addition, from Pattaya you can get to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom.
Last minute tours to Thailand. Which is cheaper: Pattaya or Phuket?
Tours to Thailand can be very cheap! Often a ready-made tour package costs like an air ticket. See examples in our newsletter.
Last minute tours for two to Pattaya from Moscow for 7-10 nights in high season can be found from only 60 thousand rubles! Phuket tours usually cost the same or slightly more. Tours are cheaper in summer. Last Minute Tours →
Tours from St. Petersburg to Pattaya and Phuket usually cost from 80-100 thousand rubles.
How to find a really hot tour? Search the search engines for Travelata, Onlinetours and Level.Travel - they will find the best deals among different tour operators. Be sure to read our 7 rules for buying a tour online - it will help you save money!
Contingent
Phuket. Chinese couples (young ladies - certainly in romantic dresses) and families with children run the ball here. Indians in Rolexes strut haughtily, and older Europeans and Americans drive up to go-go girls in bars. Russians feel at home and try to convey something to the Thais in louder Russian. Perhaps the most Russian-speaking people are in the popular resorts: Patong, Kata, Karon and Surin.
Pattaya. The resort is dominated by elderly Europeans and Americans looking for a hot girlfriend for the rest of their vacation days. There are many young and middle-aged men attracted by the breadth of views of local workers and workers of the most ancient profession. And - oddly enough - there are a lot of Russian tourists with children, ceremoniously walking along the promenade. Where is the best massage in Pattaya >>
In general, Pattaya is more of a retirement resort, while Phuket is a youth and middle-aged one.
Prices for hotels in Pattaya and Phuket: where is cheaper?
Look for hotels on Roomguru.ru - we often use it in our travels. In the examples, we indicate the prices for a double room during the beach season. If you want to find a great hotel at a low price, book early or stay off during high season.
It is believed that hotels in Phuket are more expensive than in Pattaya. Actually prices about the same... We lived in Pattaya for $ 15 per day in much better conditions than in Patong for $ 18, but it was far from the center and the coast.
Phuket. The most budget accommodation option is guesthouses. Room rates start from US $ 8 per night, but the conditions will be Spartan. On the popular beaches of the island, you can really find a budget hotel within $ 20 per night. In Patong, we liked the YK Patong Resort 3 * with a pool for $ 31 per night in high season - a good price-quality ratio. By the way, the cheapest room in the famous The Royal Paradise Hotel 4 * is not so expensive - $ 70.
A selection of Phuket hotels with a beach.
Pattaya. There are many hotels in Pattaya - from cheap unnamed to expensive and well-known. Cheap guesthouses near the beach start at $ 13 per night. In the middle price category, we recommend The Pattaya Park 3 * for $ 22 per day. From expensive - we recommend Siam @ Siam Design 4 * from $ 75 per day. This hotel has a huge number of excellent reviews and an excellent rating.
Advice: rent an apartment or a villa on Airbnb.ru - it's more interesting! Fabulously beautiful villas in Phuket start at $ 50. For Pattaya - a huge selection of apartments.
Prices for food and fruits
If you choose which is better, Pattaya or Phuket, based on the prices of food, fruits and drinks, then you should give preference to Pattaya. At the resort, even in tourist establishments, food prices are not off scale. But in restaurants in Phuket, prices are closer to those in Moscow. However, on the island you can also eat cheaply in local cafes, night markets and makashniki.
| Pattaya | Phuket (Patong) | |
| Kebabs in the shashlik | from 10 baht / piece | from 20 baht / piece |
| Rice with meat or padtai in a maker | from 40 baht | from 50 baht |
| Banana Pancakes | from 40 baht | from 60 baht |
| Necks | from 25 baht | from 40 baht (on the market - from 25) |
| Fruit pads on the street | from 20 baht (depending on the type of fruit) | from 100 baht (any) |
| Beer at the bar | from 50 baht | from 80 baht. |
| Coconut on the street | from 20 baht | from 50 baht |
Advice: cheap fruit in Pattaya - in street markets and Big C. In Patong - in Big C, night markets and farm pickups. Read about prices for exotic fruits of Thailand.
Flights from Russia
From the cities of Russia, you can fly to Pattaya and Phuket. There are direct flights and transfers. Usually, tickets to Bangkok are slightly cheaper than to Phuket (but it also happens vice versa).
You can get to Pattaya through Bangkok, and from there by low-cost airline, transfer or bus. There are also direct routes from Siberian cities to Pattaya Utapao airport.
Details here:
- How to cheaply fly to Phuket from Russian cities.
- If you have chosen Pattaya, then read how to fly to Bangkok cheaply.
It is convenient to search for cheap flights to Thailand using the Skyscanner service - using the link you can see from which cities in Russia there are the lowest prices for flights to the cities of the kingdom.
How to get to Pattaya and Phuket?
Bangkok to Pattaya The easiest way to get there: 2 hours by bus for 100-120 baht from the Eastern Bus Station (Ekkamai), North (Mo Chit) or directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport for 120-250 baht. Of course, there is a taxi - the most comfortable way. Only tuk-tuk for 30 baht go from the Pattaya bus station to the center - they go along Pattaya Beach and deliver passengers to hotels. Tuk-tuk are sent as they fill.
From Bangkok to Phuket You can get there in three ways: by bus from the South and North stations (tickets from 600 baht); by train from Bangkok Central Station to Surat Thani (from 300 baht), and then by bus to Phuket; by plane from Don Mueang airport by low-cost airline or regular flight from Suvarnabhumi.
From Pattaya to Phuket and vice versa. Distance - 965 km, you can overcome it by plane from Pattaya Airport or by bus all the way (from 900 baht, about 12 hours). However, more often tourists from Pattaya go to the airport in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (120 baht) to fly to Phuket - we did just that.
Transport in Pattaya and Phuket
With transport at the resorts, things are so-so - in our opinion, everything is disorganized and expensive.
Pattaya. There are local "minibuses" - tuk-tuk, a ticket costs 10 baht. We read in reviews about Pattaya that sometimes tuk-tuk can be used by one of the passengers as a taxi, and then everyone else will be out of luck: the driver will first of all take the passenger on the route who paid him like a taxi. From the airport you can take a minibus for 250 baht and you will be taken to the hotel.
Phuket. Tuk-tuks act as taxis, so they are expensive. The blue songthaew buses take you to Phuket Town and major beaches for 30 baht. In Phuket, it is inconvenient to get to the islands: for this you need to buy a tour from an agency or first go to Phuket Town, and then to the desired pier.
From Phuket airport to the beaches, you can get minibuses from 180 baht (this is the most convenient way). If you are arriving in the morning or afternoon, you can get to Phuket Town by bus for 100 baht, and from there by songteo for 30 baht. Read more on how to get from Phuket airport.
If you don't want to understand local transport and get there with transfers, order a taxi - it's safe and easy. We used KiwiTaxi when we were driving from Patong to the airport.
