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

Should you visit Pattaya or Darwin?

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 Darwin 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 colorful, active, and vibrant resort city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Pattaya travel costs.

Darwin

Darwin is a local, tropical, and multicultural town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Darwin travel costs.

Pattaya and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Darwin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pattaya. Although Pattaya and Darwin are roughly the same size, Pattaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pattaya is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Darwin is more popular for its hiking. Pattaya is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Also, Pattaya is famous for the Sanctuary of Truth. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Pattaya different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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 Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Pattaya is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pattaya. 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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is notable for its resorts. However, Darwin is not a resort destination.

Pattaya is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Darwin is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Pattaya has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is notable for the beach. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Pattaya. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a great town for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Darwin for the hiking trails. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Darwin?

Pattaya is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Pattaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Darwin are high quality 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.

Darwin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Darwin are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Pattaya makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Darwin is a good resort city for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Pattaya or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Darwin are notable places to visit.

Pattaya is a good resort city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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

Pattaya and Darwin both offer notable 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.

Darwin has a few public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Pattaya or Darwin a more walkable city?

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

Darwin is a somewhat walkable place. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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 Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pattaya and Darwin. In our opinion, Pattaya has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Pattaya than Darwin. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Darwin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pattaya, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pattaya than Darwin 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 Pattaya.

One day in Pattaya or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Pattaya. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Darwin, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Pattaya or Darwin?

Pattaya is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Darwin, you'll find food and shopping. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Darwin has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Pattaya. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Darwin?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

Both Darwin 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.

In the summer, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Darwinin January. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

Darwin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Darwin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In the autumn, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 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 Darwinin April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 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.

Should I visit Pattaya or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Darwin. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Darwin in the Spring?

Both Darwin and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the spring for the beaches.

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Darwin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Darwinin October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 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.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Pattaya