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

Should you visit Pattaya or Sendai?

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 Sendai 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.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sendai travel costs.

Pattaya and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Sendai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sendai than Pattaya. Sendai is bigger than Pattaya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is better known for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Pattaya is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Pattaya is more touristy than Sendai and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Sendai is well known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Also, Sendai is famous for the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Pattaya different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sendai 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 Sendai. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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 Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pattaya is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

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

Pattaya is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 people in Sendai know how to have a good time. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai 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.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai 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.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Sendai?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Sendai both offer plenty of high quality 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 Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Sendai 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.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Couples?

Both Pattaya and Sendai 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.

Sendai is a good resort city for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Pattaya or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Sendai 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 Sendai. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai 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 Sendai can get you around easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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 Sendai a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is a very walkable city. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Sendai?

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

Families should spend more time in Pattaya than Sendai. 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 Sendai. 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 Sendai 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sendai has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Sendai?

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.

Sendai is a great place to explore. 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pattaya is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Sendai. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Sendai. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In the autumn, Pattaya is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the autumn, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 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 Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai 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, many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. In January, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Sendai. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai 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. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Pattaya is much warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. In the spring, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 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 Sendai and Pattaya