Which place is cheaper, Pattaya or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara or Pattaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Pattaya can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Pattaya?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesPattaya Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $23Pattaya $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $23, while the average daily cost in Pattaya is $93. 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 Pokhara and Pattaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.70Pattaya $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $7.40Pattaya $54
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Pattaya
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Pattaya? 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $7.21Pattaya $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $250
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
- Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
- Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
- From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
- Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Transfer by Private Car: $99
- "Exclusive Private Transfer: Pokhara to Chitwan in a Luxury car": $85
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
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
- 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
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Ticket with Transfer From Hotel: $28
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Pattaya: $57
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Rayong/ Koh Samed: $85
- Art in Paradise Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $38
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $124
- Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Theme Park Pattaya with Transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Pattaya?
Prices for flights to both Pattaya and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $13Pattaya $43
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$4.25
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Dessert (for 2)$2.84
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Pastries$1.42
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Dinner$6.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
- 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
- Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
- Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
- 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
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: $44
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $53
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $53
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $59
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.87Pattaya $24
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $99
- Pokhara To Kathmandu Private Tour with Luxuries Car and Jeep: $100
- “Pokhara in a Day: Guided Tour of Natural Wonders & Sacred Sites": $75
- "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
- "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
- "Private Jeep Adventure: Scenic Drive to Dharapani from Pokhara": $200
- "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
- 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
- 110 Meters Bungee Jumping Tour in Pokhara: $105
- 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
- 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
- 2 Night 3 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $240
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Experience The Floating Market in Pattaya: $6.00
- Pool Party and Foam Experience for Indian Tourists at Pattaya : $6.29
- Pattaya Coral Islands Tour with Lunch: $7.90
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $10
- Pattaya Underwater World Admission Ticket: $10
- Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $11
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $11
- Love In Museum in Pattaya Admission Ticket Thailand: $11
- Underwater World Pattaya (Ticket Only): $11
- Skip the Line: Legend Siam at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
- Frost Magical Ice of Siam for Foreigner Ticket: $13
- Pattaya Underwater World Entrance Ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $6.20Pattaya $9.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Pattaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Pattaya?
Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Pattaya, 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.