Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pattaya or Xi'an?
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 Xi'an 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.
Where Should I go: Pattaya or Xi'an?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
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 in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesXi'an Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Xi'an $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $105. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pattaya and Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Xi'an $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Xi'an? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Xi'an $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Waterpark with Transfers: $65
- Full-Day Enduro Adventure in Pattaya with Hotel Transfers: $205
- Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $43
- Admission Ticket to Underwater World Pattaya with Return Transfer: $54
- Airport Private Transfers from Pattaya City to Suvarnabhumi BKK: $74
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Airport to Hotel (UTP): $36
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Hotel to Airport (UTP): $36
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Pattaya: $58
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Rayong/ Koh Samed: $86
- Art in Paradise Pattaya 3D Museum with Private Hotel Transfer: $43
- Bangkok Airport Private Transfer To or From Pattaya City: $84
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $124
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi'an: 5-Day Guided Tour with Meals and Transfers: $574
- Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $300
- Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $254
- From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $245
- Xian Highlights Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $245
- Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $229
- Xi'an Layover: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum With Airport Transfer: $229
- Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $225
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $216
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $214
- Xian City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda Tour With Airport Transfer: $206
- Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Pickup or Drop-off Transfer: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Pattaya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPattaya $43Xi'an $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $45
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $54
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $54
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $60
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
- Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
- Xi'an Homemade Food Cooking Dumplings / BIANGBIANGNoodles: $58
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- Xian: Morning Food Tour of the Muslim Quarter: $67
- Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Xi'an $36
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Coral Island Speedboat Tour from Pattaya Only for Indian Tourists: $3.15
- Pattaya Floating Market Tickets: $3.19
- Pattaya Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch: $5.00
- Pattaya Floating Market Ticket with 4 Regions Thai Culture: $5.73
- Experience The Floating Market in Pattaya: $6.00
- Pool Party and Foam Experience for Indian Tourists at Pattaya : $6.41
- Pattaya Coral Islands Tour with Lunch: $8.05
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Tickets: $9.00
- Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $10
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $10
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $65
- Private Half Day Tour to The Terracotta Warriors Museum: $88
- 1 Day Beijing to Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Tour by Air: $779
- 1 Day Private Tour to Terracotta Army & Huaqing Pool, No Shopping: $129
- 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
- 1 day Adventure Tour of Mount Hua in Xi'an: $85
- 1 day Xi'an Culture and History Discovery Mini Group tour: $112
- 1-Day Xi'an City Highlights and Hanyangling Museum Private Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
- 2 Day Private Terracotta Warriors and Mount Huashan Tour: $265
- 2 Days Beijing Xian Private Tour by Bullet Trains with Hotel: $287
- 2 Days Xian Customized Tour for Terracotta Warriors and More: $235
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Xi'an $7.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an 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 Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Xi'an, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.