A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Mount Aspiring National Park for Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

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 Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is a remote, rugged, and breathtaking national park. Many visitors also come to Mount Aspiring National Park because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking. See Mount Aspiring National Park travel costs.

Pattaya and Mount Aspiring National Park : Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pattaya than Mount Aspiring National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pattaya is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Mount Aspiring National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Mount Aspiring National Park 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. Mount Aspiring National Park is well known for its mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes.

How is Pattaya different from Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Mount Aspiring National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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).

Mount Aspiring National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park has a small number of restaurants to choose from. Bring plenty of food supplies, because amenities are in short supply in many parts of the park.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is very popular for nightlife and partying. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park doesn't offer many options. Stargazing is the best nightlife in the area.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a well-known place for the beach. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a beach destination.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Hiking?

Mount Aspiring National Park is terrific for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Around Mount Aspiring National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are many different types of trails in the park that range from shorter day hikes to multi-day hikes. The difficulty level doesn't always correspond to the length of the hike, so do your research before you set out. Some of the most known hikes in the area are the Blue Pools Track, the Rob Roy Track, the Routeburn Track, and the challenging Cascade Saddle Route.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park More Beautiful?

Mount Aspiring National Park is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Pattaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Mount Aspiring National Park because of it's amazing beauty. The stunning mountain scenery and pristine, rugged hikes make this a truly spectacular alpine setting.

Pattaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The park offers a stunning natural setting that will inspire a child's love of nature. There are a number of kid-friendly hikes in the park with some of the most popular being the Blue Pools Track, Routeburn Nature Walk, the Roaring Billy Falls Walk, and the Thunder Creek Falls Walk.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Couples?

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great national park for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great national park if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with inspiring scenery and a breathtaking mountain setting, this park is perfect for couples who appreciate nature's beauty. There are hiking trails, waterfalls, and striking views that will spark the romance in any relationship.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mount Aspiring National Park is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Mount Aspiring National Park is extremely popular for backpackers. Set in the beautiful Southern Alps, backpackers will love exploring the impressive mountain scenery and breathtaking views.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Mount Aspiring National Park. It's possible to arrange transportation to the trailheads from Te Anau or Wanaka.

Is Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park a more walkable city?

Mount Aspiring National Park is a national park with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a somewhat walkable place. There are day hikes as well as mult-day back country hikes through the park.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

In either Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park .

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Mount Aspiring National Park . 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 Mount Aspiring National Park . 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 Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

The colorful destination of Pattaya offers nightlife and food. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. This resort city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Mount Aspiring National Park, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pattaya has to offer.

In Mount Aspiring National Park, you'll find . 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 Mount Aspiring National Park has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Anyone can find something fun to do here. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mount Aspiring National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

You'll find shopping and museums around the high energy resort city of Pattaya. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It offers something for everyone. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Mount Aspiring National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Mount Aspiring National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

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