A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pondicherry vs. Pattaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pondicherry or Pattaya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pondicherry and Pattaya 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: Pondicherry or Pattaya?

Pondicherry

Located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry has a long and interesting history of trade and war as the largest French colony in India. Today the French influence in the city remains, especially in the old quarters. This being said, Pondicherry very much embodies and east-meets-west culture.

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 Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.


Which place is cheaper, Pattaya or Pondicherry?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $39, 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 Pondicherry and Pattaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pondicherry $15
    Pattaya $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pondicherry $30
    Pattaya $54
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Pattaya

Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry 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.

Hotels in Pondicherry


Hotels in Pattaya


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: Pondicherry Hotel Prices and Pattaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pondicherry $5.37
    Pattaya $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Underwater World at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $40
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya HTL-APT (DMK): $67
  • Tiffany’s Show Pattaya – VIP Gold/Diamond with Transfers: $75
  • Tiffany's Show Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $70
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $73
  • Tiffany Show Pattaya Tickets With Transfers: $53
  • Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
  • Return hotel transfers to Gems Gallery Pattaya (Jewelry) : $2.43
  • Ramayana Water Park with Transfer from Pattaya : $89
  • Ramayana Water Park at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $63
  • Ramayana Water Park Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $51
  • Private Transfer from Sattahip to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $104

Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Pattaya?

Prices for flights to both Pattaya and Pondicherry 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pondicherry $18
    Pattaya $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pondicherry

For Pondicherry, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Indian Cooking Class in Pondicherry: $28
  • French-Creole Cooking Class in Pondicherry with a Local Family: $78
  • South Indian Dinner With A Local Family In Pondicherry: $141
  • Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $268

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pondicherry $11
    Pattaya $24

Tours and Activities in Pondicherry

For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $75
  • Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $125
  • Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $231
  • Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville with Lunch: $280
  • Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $141
  • From Day Tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram: $109
  • Full Day Guided Tour of Pondicherry with lunch and hotel pickup: $115
  • Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
  • Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $14
  • Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $12
  • Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
  • Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour: $157

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.

  • Andamanda Waterpark Phuket Ticketed Fun: $52
  • Private Wachira Benchathat Tour with Transportation: $285
  • 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $71
  • 6 Hour Private Selfie City Tour in the Landmark of Pattaya: $101
  • Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $38
  • Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Admission Ticket: $50
  • All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $48
  • Art in Paradise in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $14
  • Baliblue Sunset Yacht Cruise Party with Music, Dancer at Pattaya: $134
  • Baliblue Sunset Yacht Party Cruise with Music and Dancer: $273
  • Bangkok Temples Private Tour from Pattaya – Full Day: $155
  • Bangkok Tour from Laem Chabang Port including Canal Cruise: $213

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pondicherry $6.55
    Pattaya $9.42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Pondicherry much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pondicherry would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pondicherry Expensive? and Is Pattaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Pattaya?

Pondicherry has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry 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.