A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Mount Bromo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Pattaya or Mount Bromo?

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 Bromo 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 high energy, colorful, and active resort city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Pattaya travel costs.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a spectacular, breathtaking, and scenic volcano. Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Pattaya and Mount Bromo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Mount Bromo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pattaya. Although Pattaya and Mount Bromo are popular destinations, Pattaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pattaya is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Mount Bromo attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Mount Bromo and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also well known for the Sanctuary of Truth. Mount Bromo is famous for its sunrise views and scenic setting.

How is Pattaya different from Mount Bromo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pattaya is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Pattaya is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Pattaya is a great resort city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Pattaya is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its luxury resorts. However, Mount Bromo 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.

Mount Bromo is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Mount Bromo 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.

Mount Bromo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its beaches. However, Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Pattaya is considered a top beach destination. 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 Bromo is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is a great volcano for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Mount Bromo for the hiking trails. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Mount Bromo?

Pattaya is a great resort city for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Pattaya. 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 Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo More Beautiful?

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

Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Pattaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Families?

Pattaya is a great resort city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for its family-friendly activities.

Pattaya is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Bromo is a family-friendly place to visit. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo Better for Couples?

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

Mount Bromo is a great volcano if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

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 Bromo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Mount Bromo are nice 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 Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

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

Pattaya is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Pattaya or Mount Bromo a more walkable city?

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

Mount Bromo is a somewhat walkable place. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

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 Bromo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Bromo or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Mount Bromo?

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

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Mount Bromo. 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 Bromo. 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 Bromo 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 Bromo?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the colorful resort city of Pattaya. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This volcano 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 Mount Bromo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Pattaya. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This resort city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Mount Bromo, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mount Bromo has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Mount Bromo?

The vibrant resort city of Pattaya offers museums and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Pattaya. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Mount Bromo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Mount Bromo. 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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Mount Bromo, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Mount Bromo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Bromo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Bromo 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya than you might in Mount Bromo.

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 Bromo Expensive?.