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

Should you visit Pattaya or Benxi?

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 Benxi 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 Benxi?

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.

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Benxi 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 Benxi is $118. 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 Benxi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pattaya $27
    Benxi $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pattaya $54
    Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Benxi

Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Benxi? 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 Benxi


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
    Benxi $32

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Benxi?

Prices for flights to both Benxi 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
    Benxi $53

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
    Benxi $7.41

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pattaya $9.42
    Benxi $7.81


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


Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Benxi?

Benxi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Benxi, 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 Benxi?

Benxi 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 Benxi in the Summer?

Both Benxi and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Pattaya is a little warmer than Benxi in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun.

Benxi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Benxi. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pattaya 29°C (84°F) 
    Benxi 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Benxi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round.

In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Benxi. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pattaya 28°C (82°F) 
    Benxi 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Benxi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Benxi. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Benxi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Benxi. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in January than Benxi. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pattaya 27°C (80°F) 
    Benxi -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Benxi in the Spring?

Both Benxi and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.

Pattaya is much warmer than Benxi in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Benxi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Benxi during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Benxi. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pattaya 30°C (86°F) 
    Benxi 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Benxi and Pattaya

Pattaya Benxi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) -10°C (14°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) -7°C (20°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 30°C (86°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 30°C (85°F) 202 mm (7.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 29°C (85°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (78°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 25°C (76°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 232 mm (9.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) -7°C (20°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)