A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Koyasan for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Pattaya or Koyasan?

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

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food. See Koyasan travel costs.

Pattaya and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Koyasan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pattaya than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pattaya is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Koyasan is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Koyasan 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. Koyasan is well known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Pattaya different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

Koyasan is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

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

Pattaya is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

People head to Pattaya just to party. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a great destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Pattaya to choose from. 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.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a great destination for the beach. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Pattaya for it's beautiful 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.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

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

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Pattaya does not have a historic old town.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a town with good options for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Koyasan. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Koyasan?

Pattaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan More Beautiful?

Koyasan is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Pattaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Pattaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Families?

Pattaya is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Pattaya is a very kid-friendly resort city. 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.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan Better for Couples?

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

Koyasan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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 Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Koyasan 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 Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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

Pattaya and Koyasan 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.

Koyasan has a few public transit options. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Is Pattaya or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Koyasan is a great town for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Koyasan is a very walkable town. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy 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 Koyasan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Koyasan?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pattaya than Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

In Pattaya, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This resort city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Koyasan?

In Pattaya, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pattaya has to offer.

Koyasan 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Koyasan?

Pattaya is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Pattaya. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pattaya or Koyasan?

Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Koyasan. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koyasan. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Koyasan. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pattaya is a little warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Pattaya. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.

Should I visit Pattaya or Koyasan in the Winter?

Both Koyasan and Pattaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Koyasan. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Pattaya is much warmer than Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Pattaya