Pattaya vs Phuket: Which Is Better? My Honest Take

People often ask me whether they should choose Pattaya or Phuket. My short answer: for most people, it's Pattaya. It's cheaper, there's a lot more to do, and it's far easier to get to.

Is Pattaya cheaper than Phuket?

Yes, Pattaya is cheaper. If you want to see what living here costs, I've broken it down in Is Pattaya Expensive?

Which has more to do, Pattaya or Phuket?

Pattaya, by a long way. Phuket is a big island, but it's still an island. Take golf as an example: Phuket has around seven courses on the island, while there are about 27 in Chonburi, the province around Pattaya. If golf is your thing, here's my guide to golf in Pattaya.

Does Phuket have better beaches than Pattaya?

Arguably, yes. If island life, sun and sand are what you're after, Phuket wins.

Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach aren't fantastic, because they're right in the city. Go a little further out, to Sattahip, Bang Saen or Bang Saray, and the beaches are much better. Here are my favourite beaches around Pattaya. Still, I'd say they're not as good as Phuket's.

Is Pattaya or Phuket better for families?

Pattaya, because of the international schools here. I've written more about that in Is Pattaya Good for Families?

Who is Pattaya better for, and who should choose Phuket?

Pattaya is better for families and golfers, and it has a much better nightlife scene, if that's your thing. In fact, I think Pattaya is better for most people.

The exception is the very wealthy who want a million-dollar villa overlooking the sea. For them, Phuket might be the choice.

Which is easier to get to from Bangkok?

This is another massive advantage for Pattaya. We're about an hour and a half from Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's main airport (here's how to get here), and we also have U-Tapao airport nearby. It's also much easier to get out to another country from here.

To reach Phuket from Bangkok, it's roughly a 10-hour drive, or a flight of about an hour and 20 minutes, which costs extra. And once you're in Phuket, you'll need a car to get around anyway. Purely on logistics, Pattaya makes much more sense.

So which should you choose?

It depends on what you want. If you're coming purely for the beaches, Phuket is the pick, although honestly, I'd probably still steer you away from it because it's so far away. For pretty much everything else, it's Pattaya. Weighing up somewhere quieter? Read Pattaya vs Hua Hin. Thinking about the capital? Read Pattaya vs Bangkok.

If you're flying into Suvarnabhumi or U-Tapao and want your own wheels for the drive down, Pattaya Rent a Car can help.