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

Should you visit Pattaya or Arrowtown?

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 Arrowtown 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 active, vibrant, and high energy resort city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Pattaya travel costs.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a quirky, historic, and charming town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Arrowtown travel costs.

Pattaya and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Arrowtown?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Pattaya and Arrowtown are popular destinations, Arrowtown has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arrowtown is very popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Pattaya attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Pattaya is more touristy than Arrowtown and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Arrowtown is famous for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also well known for the Chinese Settlement.

How is Pattaya different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arrowtown and Pattaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a great town for skiing. However, Pattaya is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Arrowtown. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Pattaya is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pattaya or Arrowtown?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Pattaya and Arrowtown.

Pattaya offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Arrowtown. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Pattaya or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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 Arrowtown is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is terrific for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Pattaya. 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.

Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Pattaya. 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.

Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Pattaya is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a great town for its old town. However, Pattaya does not have a historic old town.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Pattaya does not have a historic old town.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is terrific for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Around Arrowtown visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Arrowtown?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Arrowtown both offer plenty of superb 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 Arrowtown. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Arrowtown are superb to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Pattaya is very family-friendly. 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.

Arrowtown is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

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

Arrowtown is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

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 Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arrowtown is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Arrowtown. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pattaya. 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.

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

Pattaya and Arrowtown both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Pattaya offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Arrowtown has a few public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Pattaya or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Arrowtown is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

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 Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pattaya or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pattaya than Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown.

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Arrowtown?

You'll find nightlife and food around the resort city of Pattaya. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town 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 Arrowtown?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the high energy destination of Pattaya. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort city has to offer. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arrowtown has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the active resort city of Pattaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arrowtown is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Arrowtown?

Pattaya is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arrowtown. Since Arrowtown is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Arrowtown?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Arrowtown, 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.