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

Should you visit Pattaya or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne 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. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Pattaya travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Melbourne travel costs.

Pattaya and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Melbourne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Pattaya. Melbourne is bigger than Pattaya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Pattaya is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Pattaya is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Pattaya different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Melbourne is a great city 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 Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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 Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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 Melbourne is an experience not to be missed. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Pattaya is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Melbourne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Pattaya is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Pattaya has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Both Pattaya and Melbourne are considered to be excellent beach destinations.

The beaches at Pattaya attract visitors from all over. 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.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Melbourne?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Melbourne both offer plenty of excellent 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 Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Melbourne are excellent 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.

Melbourne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a good resort city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Pattaya is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a very popular city for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Pattaya is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its public transit.

The public transit in Melbourne can get you around easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Pattaya has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Pattaya or Melbourne a more walkable city?

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

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Melbourne?

In either Pattaya or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than Pattaya because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

One day in Pattaya or Melbourne?

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.

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city 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 Melbourne?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the vibrant 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.

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the colorful 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.

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Melbourne. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pattaya is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Melbourne. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Melbournein April. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season.

Should I visit Pattaya or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Melbournein July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Pattaya during the spring 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 beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

Pattaya is much warmer than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the spring, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Melbournein October. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Pattaya