Both travel destinations are great for solo and family travel. They do offer some of the best beaches in the world for relaxation and creating beautiful memories. Because they both have a lot to offer, choosing between Hua Hin and Pattaya has become difficult so people rely on the difference in the cost as the determining factor. In this article, we will go through the cost of living in both cities in an attempt to determine which is cheaper to help you choose what destination you can visit and save cost at the same time.
Is Hua Hin Cheaper than Pattaya?
The best way to identify what city is cheaper between Hua Hin and Pattaya is by carefully comparing the cost of a trip to both cities. For this comparison, we will be looking at the cost of a 7-day trip to both cities. Hopefully, this will help us to determine which is cheaper. Without wasting any more time let’s dive into it.
The Cost of a 7-Day Trip to Pattaya
For a family of four, it cost about 238,279 Thai Baht (7,162 USD) to go on a 7-day trip to Pattaya. For a couple, it cost about 127,223 Thai Baht (3,820 USD), and 70,850 Thai Baht (2,127 USD) for a solo traveler. The majority of vacation rentals set their accommodation cost at a range of 2,992 to 9,975 Thai Baht (90 – 300 USD) for an entire apartment per night. The average cost of accommodation at Pattaya hotels is 998.64 Thai Baht (30 USD) per night, however, you are also likely to see rooms ranging from 599 to 3,196 Thai Baht (18 – 96 USD) per night. The U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport operates worldwide economy flights with an average cost starting from 63,384 to 94,177 Thai Baht (1,904 – 2,829 USD) per head, while first-class flights cost as much as 198,827 to 295,444 Thai Baht (5,975 – 8,877 USD). We recommend that you budget from 465 to 1,131 Thai Baht (14 – 34 USD) for food and transportation per person – depending on the activities you want to engage in.
The Cost of a 7-Day Trip to Hua Hin
For a family of four, it cost about 266,566 Thai Baht (7,993 USD) to go on a 7-day trip to Hua Hin, while it cost as much as 142,119 Thai Baht (4,264 USD) for a couple. For a solo traveler, it will require an average cost of 79,125 Thai Baht (2,374 USD) for a 7-day trip to Hua Hin. In Hua Hin, you will find hotels with prices ranging from 833 to 4,705 Thai Baht (25 – 141 USD) per night with 1,601 Thai Baht (48 USD) being the average cost. Also, the majority of vacation rentals have accommodation set at the range of 3,672 to 17,025 Thai Baht (110 – 510 USD) for an entire apartment per night. We recommend budgeting as much as 867 to 1,435 Thai Baht (26 – 43 USD) per head for daily feeding and transportation.
Our Verdict
From the above stats we can safely assume Pattaya is a cheaper city to be in compared to Hua Hin. If you are built for it, you can visit both cities for the diverse experience they both have to offer.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Pattaya?
May to November is the cheapest time of the year to travel to the city of Pattaya. During these periods, the prices of accommodation and other amenities are cheap, however, good weather isn’t guaranteed. The era of low accommodation rates often begins in May, the beginning of the hot and dry season in Pattaya. June is when the wet season often begins and with it comes the monsoon wind. With an average temperature of 32 Celsius, May is always the hottest month in Pattaya during the low season. The temperature gets a little lower to an average of 30 degrees Celsius from June to October.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Hua Hin?
The best time of the year to take a trip to Hua Hin is from November to February. However, March to May remains the cheapest period because this is the hottest time of the year and as such the demand for tourist activities is often low and can be uncomfortable as the sun is always out and strong. If you must Hua Hin at this time of the year it is advisable that you at least a hat and sunglasses. The months with light to heavy rainfall is June – October. During this period you are bound to find good hotels and flight deals.
How to Travel Cheap to Pattaya or Hua Hin
If you are willing to travel with standby flights and tolerate inconveniences to reduce travel costs, you will find the cheapest flight to Pattaya for around 5,402 Thai Baht (162 USD) per person, and that of Hua Hin is around 5,638 Thai Baht (169 USD). In Pattaya, you may find 8% of accommodation rental services operating under the cost range of 333 to 3,336 Thai Baht (10 – 100 USD) per night, while that of Hua Hin is about 2%. We recommend you book these inexpensive spaces ahead of time to avoid a spike in prices during booming periods. For 500 Thai Baht (15 USD) you can also find one-star hotels with vacant rooms in Pattaya and 667 Thai Baht (20 USD) in Hua Hin.
What are the Cheapest things to do in Pattaya?
You will find lots of things you can do without spending too much at Pattaya. Some of the things you can do in Pattaya without breaking your savings include shopping at both the traditional markets and other shopping venues, signing up for outdoor adventures, and chilling at serene beaches. Whatever holiday experience Pattaya has to offer, there’s always an affordable version.
Below is a list of a few things you can do in Pattaya without spending more than you should.
Visit and Reflect at the Sanctuary of Truth
Made from teak wood, this structure is about 150 m high and of complex architecture. It provides the perfect atmosphere for reflection and is easily mistaken for a Buddhist temple, whereas it was simply built as a place for reflection and meditation by a businessman. The interior and exterior of this building are full of complex markings and some even believe these decorations will never be done with because it has been going on for years.
Every year, this temple attracts visitors in hundreds of thousands. It is often regarded as one of the most beautiful structures in Thailand, hence the flock of visitors.
Visit the Floating Market
Also known as the ‘Four Regions Floating Market’, it depicts the different types of cultures one can find in the regions of the country, Thailand. It has four sections; north, central, northeast, and south, all of which are packed with stalls selling not foods, crafts, textiles, accessories, housewares, clothes, pieces of jewelry, and every other thing you can expect to see in a market. What’s more? Some of these stalls are mobile and float on water while others are static. You will also find stalls on both river banks.
There’s no better fun, whimsical, and unusual way to explore the different cultures of the country than exploring the Pattaya floating market using a canoe.
Explore the Tropical Gardens of Nong Nooch
Somewhere in Na Chom Thian of Sattahip District is an unending stretch of well-kept and cultivated beautiful landscape filled with carefully trimmed trees, breathtaking flowers, topiaries, and hedgerows. This garden stretches over 240 hectares of land and is popular for how they remain well taken care of. Here is one of the few places in Thailand you will find lots, if not hundreds, of different species of plants and flowers. From time to time, a few cultural events are held in this spot.
You can either come here just to spend time with family and loved ones and enjoy the serene space or take part in the cultural experience that’s bound to thrill persons of all ages.
Visit the Beach at a Historic Fishing Village
The historic fishing village in question is Ban Amphur. The beach at this destination is peaceful and quiet and has clear waters accompanied by soft, white sand which stretches on the shores of the fishing village. You can engage in a variety of beach-like activities such as building sand castles, sunbathing, swimming, and chilling without disturbance, unlike other popular beaches with crowds. There exist a few seafood restaurants in the environs of this beach serving delicious and outstanding dishes. The majority of these restaurants are owned and operated by families.
This is one of the spots you’d want to be if you intend to have all the fun without breaking your purse because this village is without a hospitality culture, so the cost of things is moderate.
Have Picnics Under a Cascading Waterfall
Just an hour’s drive outside of Pattaya is the Chan Ta Then waterfall. This is a cascading waterfall that covers an area of more than 1 km and flows into clean naturally occurring pools. In this destination, you will find good-looking vistas and green areas perfect for organizing picnics with friends or family members. Picnic is a popular activity around here and that is why they offer picnic mats for rent on-site to reduce the burden of moving around with weights.
The environs of the Chan Ta Then waterfall are perfect for taking Insta-worthy pictures as the scenery is naturally beautiful. There’s also the possibility of sighting local fauna which gives the overall feeling of a wildlife haven.
What are the Cheapest Things to do in Hua Hin?
Just as it is in Pattaya, the majority of budget-friendly things to do in the city of Hua Hin are outdoor adventures and beachside activities. However, you can also scenic locations, cultural sites, and ever-buzzing markets – including night markets. Whether you are a solo traveler, couple, or family searching for the perfect getaway destination, there are plenty of activities you can also engage in without going broke, and below are just a few of them.
Witness the Sunrise and Sunset at Khao Daeng Viewpoint
This viewpoint is arguably one of the most popular spots in the region for getting panoramic views of almost the entire city. At this vista, you will come face-to-face with 360° views of villages, forests, and mountains. At this point, it would be impossible to not want to take photographs to preserve such memories or share them with family and friends back home. Getting to the Khao Daeng viewpoint will require hiking through the forest, an activity most interesting to hikers. Endeavor to come along wearing comfortable pair of shoes as you’d be participating in a medium-difficult hike. Also, expect to see monkeys and other local wildlife.
While at the Khao Daeng Viewpoint, take the opportunity to witness either the sunrise or sunset moments. If you intend on witnessing any of these moments endeavor to come with a flashlight as you’ll either be descending on ascending in the dark.
Explore the Tamarind Market
This is a night market that’s focused on food and opens only on weekends. Here you will find lots of food vendors serving both food and drinks. You will also find live entertainment often served by local acts. The majority of the food stalls in this market serve pizza alongside traditional and western cuisines. This is the destination you want to be in if you are a glutton and looking forward to trying out a variety of Thai dishes on a budget.
At night, the Tamarind Market offers lots of fun and cultural experiences for everyone. It is the haven for budget-friendly dishes with different tastes as well as a place to be entertained while or after feasting.
Explore Hua Hin in a Local Pickup Truck
Locally known as Songthaew, this pickup truck is a convenient and affordable way of getting around Hua Hin. There are fixed routes they follow and operate like buses so you must download a map of these routes to enable you to identify when and where to see a songthaew. This mode of transportation is quite affordable but offers the mixed vibes of public transportation or taxicab.
The existence of Songthaews presents the perfect opportunity to commute with ease, quickly, and conveniently while saving costs. Wherever you wish to go around Hua Hin, trust that Songthaews will get you there as they can be seen almost everywhere.
Visit the Park Dedicated to Queen Sirikit
This is a public park dedicated to Queen Sirikit as a way of honoring her. It is called Queen Sirikit Park and has a very serene environment occupied by emerald-green waters and soft white sand. You can carry out typical beach activities such as swimming, relaxing, building sandcastles, and sunbathing. The best time to visit this destination to enjoy the ‘peace and quiet’ it offers is during weekdays. Just a few steps away you will find a variety of eateries serving not only delicious local dishes but a variety of western and international food.
From central Pattaya, it takes about an hour to arrive at Queen Sirikit Park. This destination offers the perfect opportunity to escape the ever-bustling and hustling city life and relax on the soft sandy shores on a budget.
Find your Way to Rajabhakti Park
This is a very large public park built in honor and to preserve the history of Thai’s seven greatest kings. Each of these kings has monuments built to remember them. These monuments are about 14 m high in the sky and arranged in a straight line, behind them you will find a mountain. It cost 0 Thai Baht to gain access to this space. While you are here, seize the opportunity to learn about the seven kings, one of which fought for the independence of Thailand and another who is regarded as the founder of modern Thailand.
As earlier mentioned, access to this space is free. What’s more? It is also free to hire a bicycle to move around the park.
Conclusion
Visiting Pattaya is cheaper than visiting Hua Hin, however, there’s only a slight difference in cost. Both cities are quite promising with a lot to offer. There exist certain similar activities in both cities such as; visiting and chilling at the beach, exploring and shopping at the night markets, hiking, and visiting parks, some of which are free. Some of these activities can be enjoyed for free while others may only cost a reasonable amount of money, offering you the opportunity to save. Avoid the classy restaurants and villas as they’ll surely leave you with empty pockets. You can always stick with roadside food vendors as their dishes are very cheap and delicious as well.
There are also ways of traveling to both destinations for cheap rates. However, these transportation mediums give room for inconvenience. While around both cities, do not forget the cheapest mode of transportation is songthaews. However, there are other cheap mediums of transportation such as motorcycle taxis, bicycles, and tricycles. Do note that the cost of boarding these transportation systems depends on how far your destination is.
