What is the difference between Phuket and Pattaya. Prices for food and fruits. Local transport in Phuket and Pattaya - comparison

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations For tourist holiday to date. Below we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of the two most attractive resorts in this country, and you will get the answer to your question - Pattaya or Phuket?.

The first city is located in the south of the country and is part of the mainland. Phuket is an island, which is why it has its own characteristics.

It is difficult to answer the question of where it is better to spend your vacation, choosing from two options. First of all, you need to clearly understand what kind of vacation for you, your family or friends is ideal. Having determined this, it will be easier to make your choice.

Beaches

Pattaya

In this regard, the resort is clearly inferior to competitors. Firstly, all city beaches are very crowded and therefore quite dirty. The proximity to the noisy large embankment does not play the best role. There are dozens and hundreds of tourists who take walks every day, going to one or the other beach. Only private territories can be considered exceptions, but access there for outsiders is closed.

Secondly, this is a huge number of merchants who, like ants, move in different directions along the beach. A lot of sun loungers, sunbeds, umbrellas, but they are all paid. The coast is literally littered with such things. It will take more than one minute to find a free place.

There are also beaches in the northern part of the city. However most of of them are simply unsuitable for swimming: a muddy bottom or huge rocky boulders. The only beach worth visiting is coast of Koh Lan .

Real bliss can be experienced on the beaches of the city. First, it's beautiful White sand very soft and delicate.

Secondly, a large number of uncrowded beaches . Here you can easily find perfect place for a holiday by the sea with the whole family.

One of the most popular is Patong. There is a lot of free space, convenient location makes it easy to get from anywhere in the city.

It is rare to find garbage here and rare traders will not bother you during the rest.

Types of excursions / attractions

If you are aiming to spend an active vacation and get acquainted with the culture and history of the country, then when choosing a resort in Pattaya or Phuket, bet on the first one. For starters, you can take an on-site excursion to. This city is just a couple of hours drive from Pattaya. And in the city itself, tourists will be able to see such sights:

• floating market;
• Tropical garden with orchids;
• Hill of the Buddha;
• Temple of Truth;
• Park of miniature copies of world-famous structures;
• Aquarium, which is an underwater tunnel;
• Elephant village.

In addition, various show-ballets and theaters for adults perform daily in the city. With the sunset, you can see fascinating and bewitching performances here.

A beach holiday in the city can be considered excellent, but the resort is not very rich in attractions. Although here you can find something to look at. For the most part, they are amazing. natural places. For example, Phang Nga Bay with a unique rock formation located right in the water. One of the James Bond film series was filmed at these locations.

Wat Chalong is one of the most important temples in the city. This is a beautiful architectural structure, inlaid with small glass details.

From Phuket, you can easily get on a tour of Phi Phi island. This is one of the most picturesque places in the world.

And, of course, many observation platforms with breathtaking views of the city, the sea and the islands.

Weather in Phuket and Pattaya

In winter and spring throughout Thailand is set Nice weather. Minimum rainfall, high air and water temperatures. At that time weather both cities are good for a beach holiday.

It starts in May and continues until the very end of October. At this time, the weather in Pattaya and Phuket has a slight difference.

In this city, the rainy season is more gentle. Precipitation is infrequent, about once or twice a week. However, the sky is cloudy most of the time.

During this period, it is less attractive for recreation. Frequent gusty winds, high rainfall: showers. The sea is restless.

Type of holiday (youth or family)

This city is simply created for young and active people. An incredible holiday atmosphere reigns here almost around the clock. At the peak of the tourist season, there are a lot of people both on the streets of the city and on the beaches.

Night life represented by dozens of clubs, bars.

This resort is suitable for a noisy group of friends. Some people feel uncomfortable here.

Phuket also has its own kinds of entertainment for adults. But for the most part they are concentrated in a separate area - Patong.

Other places are more calm and quiet. You can find an excellent hotel near the sea, where a holiday for the whole family will be ideal.

Price policy

Which resort has the best pricing policy? Pattaya or Phuket? Given the different position of the resorts, you can more clearly understand the pricing criteria. The fact is that the island will cost more for vacationers due to the fact that any cargo transportation in this direction requires additional costs.

In this regard, the prices of housing, food and Additional services somewhat higher. Of course, you can always find inexpensive option, if the absence of any additional services does not scare you.

Accommodation

Pattaya

The most affordable housing in the city will cost about 180 $ . Keep in mind, however, that this is a budget option:

• Minimum dimensions;
• Worn-out furniture;
• No windows.

Often, such housing is located on noisy streets, where silence does not come even at night.

In this resort, even hotels with three stars offer excellent conditions. All rooms are equipped quite modern. At the same time, housing prices are an order of magnitude higher. $ 15.

from $75 per month

From $90 per month

public transport in resort towns Thailand is represented by ordinary taxis and tuk-tuks. The second ones are a closed body with benches installed inside, usually there are two of them. These cars can accommodate several people.

The fare in both cases is almost the same. The price of tuk-tuks is quite high. As advised experienced tourists, be sure to negotiate the price in advance and do not hesitate to ask and remind. Drivers of this transport in rare cases know at least elementary words in English.

Advice! Do not swear and raise your tone, argue if the proposed price does not suit you. In Thailand, this way you will not solve the problem. Your best bet is to simply find another more accommodating carrier.

Pattaya or Phuket - pros and cons

Having carefully studied the information presented above, we can draw conclusions regarding the positive and negative aspects of each city.

In addition, the activity of city life at night can be considered a plus or minus. The rating for this criterion depends only on personal preferences. If we talk about a young group of friends, then for them the presence of nightclubs and bars is a clear plus. Whereas for a family holiday, a positive rating will be given to a resort where days and nights are more relaxed, so the answer to the question "Pattaya or Phuket?", will be different, depending on the purpose of your holiday, relax, or come off in full.

The Asian direction today has become especially popular among Russian tourists. Thailand has become a favorite holiday destination for travelers.

Among the most famous places according to reviews, cities are distinguished Pattaya and Phuket.

These two resort destinations are in constant competition with each other and when deciding where to go on vacation, you should carefully read the advantages of each of them.

Pattaya or Phuket: Sea

Pattaya - you have to swim in the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea.

Due to the large number of tourists sandy beaches may not seem as golden, and the water is not as clear as you see it on the brochures.

However, the temperature even in winter time year here will not be less than 26 degrees, and average depth only 10-15 meters.

Phuket, washed by the Andaman Sea, in terms of water quality has a number advantageous benefits. No wonder crowds of divers have long chosen this particular island.

But, although the beauty of underwater caves, coral reefs and exotic fish invariably attracts tourists, one should not forget about the considerable depth inherent in these dangerous currents. , an average of 1043 meters. The average water temperature here all year round is not lower than 27 degrees.

According to official statistics, it was found that south direction the higher the water quality in Thailand.

BUT the type of rest is also important. For couples with children, the safer option will still be optimal - the water area Gulf of Thailand with soft waves and a smooth descent.

How to get there?

In order to get from Bangkok to Pattaya, you have to cover a distance of 150 kilometers and spend 2.5 hours on it.

But getting to Phuket is much longer, unless of course you fly by plane. In this case, instead of 12 hours, you will spend only an hour on the road.

Types of transport communication:

• Taxi. Right at the airport there are special information desks where you will be happy to help you make an order. The cost of a private car will be about 2500 baht
• Bus. A more budget option will cost 124 baht. You can buy a ticket at the box office on the first floor. It is important to specify the place of departure!
• Train. The road will take maximum amount time, but will be minimal in cost, maximum - 80 baht per person. Will need to get to railway station, best option use the subway. Important! The train leaves once a day at exactly 6.55

A longer journey awaits those who decide to travel from Bangkok to Phuket, there are two options:

• Bus. Departures either from the South or from Northern bus station. There are different classes, from comfort to economy. Depending on their choice, the price will add up. Minimum 600 baht per person.
• Airplane. most convenient and fast way. five airlines are ready to provide their services. The minimum price is from 1000 baht, the price depends on the chosen company.

Thailand will definitely please fans of hitchhiking.

Where to find the best beach?

Both the water and the beaches of Pattaya are far from ideal. But if you wish, you can choose the appropriate option.

Consider some of the most popular available:

• Central beach. This beach is for the lazy ones. Dirty, noisy, high degree of gas pollution due to the highway running nearby. The place is not suitable for families with small children. Pros - Good developed infrastructure, it is worth reaching out, and the cocktail is yours.
• Jomtien beach. Not inferior in area Central beach. There are many cafes for tourists. bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, exchangers, everything your heart desires. Despite the efforts of the Thais, the beach can hardly be classified as perfectly clean, although entrepreneurs make a lot of efforts to attract vacationers.
• Pratumnak Beek. It is rightfully considered one of the cleanest and most well-groomed. Has a wide coastline and natural area rest, where you can hide from the scorching sun - a grove.
• Cozy Beach. It should be noted right away that the path to the beach is not the easiest. Not a single type of public transport goes there, you have to rent a car or take a taxi. But the road will pay off clean, calm beach. Here you can relax from the bustle of the city.
• Wongamat beach. In terms of water quality and cleanliness of the coastline, it has earned first place among city beaches. Located in the North. Having chosen it, you should take care of a large umbrella, otherwise it will definitely not work to hide there under the shade of palm trees in the very heat.

There are a lot of beaches in Phuket, as well as in Pattaya.

Consider some of the most popular and their advantages:

• Patong. The liveliest and famous beach Phuket. Compared to other local beaches, the water here is not the most transparent, but the tourism sector is the best developed here. Lots of bars, cafes, shops restaurants and hotels.
• Nai Harn. Very calm, secluded place clean water And white sand. You can hide from the heat in a nearby grove. Not far from the beach there is a temple and a pond. There are practically no hotels, cafes and restaurants nearby.
• Bang Tao. Very clean and calm beach, few people even in season - strong waves. Of course, if you come with small children, this is not the best choice. Although there is a grove nearby where you can hide and wait out the very heat, one of the pluses is the availability of cafes and hotels.
• Kata Noy. The beach is separated from the motorway by a line of hotels. clean, small, quiet beach is popular with tourists. It is easier to get on a motorcycle, with a car there may be problems with parking.

Almost all the beaches of Phuket are distinguished by the transparency of the water and clean sand medium sizes.

Of the shortcomings - often encountered steep entries and waves, coastline not replete with many cafes, bars and restaurants.

Pattaya will have calm water, but the purity and quality of the sand and water will be inferior to the beaches of Phuket.

The article may be of interest:

Attractions

lovers cultural recreation will make you happy. In Phuket, you can enjoy the beauty of numerous temples and get acquainted with the integral religious component of Thai life.

The famous temple complex with a 49 meter Buddha statue plus Observation deck have become a favorite destination for tourists.

The entrance will be free for you. Before visiting the female half, you should pay attention to your clothes. Shoulders and knees must be covered!

The temple has a rich history. By visiting it, you can not only see, but also participate in local rituals. And also, according to legend, it is in this temple that the relics of the Buddha are located.

animal lovers flora can go to the aquarium or visit Botanical Garden. Phuket has a real orchid garden.

Here you can not only admire the beauty of these flowers. but also try ice cream made by the hostess herself. A visit to the zoo will take at least 2 hours.

The city of Pattaya is also rich in temples. Must visit temple Big Buddha and the Temple of Truth.

The latter is made of wood and, as local guides say, without a single nail, although in fact there are nails in the structure, but they are not driven in to the end. Attention should be paid to the mini park - Siam.

Here the sights of the whole world are recreated in miniature.

Animal lovers will not be bored here. Real elephant village, crocodile village and tiger zoo Sirracha will gladly open their doors.

The Museum of Bottles is very popular with exhibits of various times and purposes.

Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Phuket and Pattaya has become the sea and beaches, but cultural values ​​should not be ignored either.

Availability of entertainment

Entertainment in Pattaya can be very diverse:

• Night clubs and discos. The most popular are Insomnia, Lucifer, WalkingStreet Pub, Marine Disco, For the most part, all clubs provide free entry, but the waiters will constantly offer you to drink a cocktail or order a hookah. On average, the price for them is around 80 baht.
• Large amusement park. You can get there during the day and in the evening, admission is free for the little ones. Here you can ride the attractions, at your disposal are six water slides, a cable car, real roller coaster and carousels.
• A wide range of entertainment for adults. Your choice of bars with GO-GO dancers, massage parlors, developed sex industry
• Alkazar show. This is a bright musical performance of transsexuals.

Of course, the range of entertainment in the city is great, but the most popular here is the direction of sex tourism, nightlife.

In Phuket, you will also never be bored:

• Amusement park fantasy. here you will ride carousels and slides, plunge into fairy world exotic animals, see a show in the style of Las Vegas. Both adults and young guests will not be bored here. The price of pleasure is not small, more than 2000 baht. entrance from 4 years is already paid
• Diving. Fans of this sport will appreciate undersea world with its exotic flora and fauna.
• Bungy Jump. This is entertainment for the most daring lovers of extreme tourism. This free fall from a height of 50 meters. The pleasure will cost around 2200 baht. And if you get into the taste, you can purchase a package of offers, the price for several jumps will become more profitable.
• Underwater motorcycles- Another option for outdoor enthusiasts.

Phuket and Pattaya are places that are ready to provide the tourist with a wide range of all kinds of entertainment. affordable price. The main thing is to decide on the direction.

Prices in Pattaya and Phuket: where is cheaper?

• Taxi. Comparing prices, you should immediately note the difference in distances. In Phuket, the price for a trip will be more than twice as high, but the distance traveled will also be 4 times more. On average, a taxi ride in Phuket will be 400 baht, in Pattaya 150 baht.
• Public transport. It will cost 10 baht to travel by minibus - by local tuk-tuki in Pattaya, it moves along almost all streets. The same minibus in Phuket will cost at least three times more.
• Accommodation. The cost of living will definitely be higher in Phuket.
• Transport rental. The price is standard in Thailand 200-300 baht per day for a motorbike.

1 Thai baht today is about 2 rubles. Prices for food and accommodation both in Phuket and Pattaya are more than adequate for Russians.

For those who plan the most budget travel It is worth stopping at the choice of the city of Pattaya.

The price of fruit and food

How much money you have to take for food depends on your needs, but if you want to save money, it is cheaper to buy it in large supermarkets.

Average fruit price in Pattaya:

• Mango about 70 baht per kilogram;
• Strawberries - about 55 baht per 300 grams;
• Watermelons 25 baht per kilogram;
• Tangerines 55 baht per kilogram;
• Grapes 90 baht per kilogram.

Meat products are considered the most expensive, for example, a kilogram of chicken will cost about 70 baht, and pork is twice as expensive.

Garnish in the form of vegetables - about 30 baht per kilogram of potatoes. Cucumbers and tomatoes are about the same price, about 30 baht.

In supermarkets, food prices in Pattaya and Phuket do not differ, the difference may be in the markets.

The price of fruits and vegetables practically does not differ, this is clearly seen in large supermarkets such as Big C.

Upon closer examination, you will notice that there is a difference of 5-10 baht. So it's cheaper to eat in Pattaya.

Transport in Pattaya and Phuket

In Pattaya, you will not find the usual transport for Russians. Trams and trolleybuses do not run here.

But to get from point A to point B will help you:

• Special tourist bus. Buses are painted in three colors, which indicates the route.
• Knock-knock. Summer fixed-route taxi, no roof.
• Minibuses. Standard public transport, has its own schedule and route with mandatory stops.
• Mototaxi. For those who are ready for a fast ride without traffic jams.
• Taxi. Classic variant. You can order directly from your hotel.

In Phuket, as in Pattaya, there are tuk tuks, taxis, motorcycle taxis, buses or songteos. I must say right away that traveling by bus is not quite easy. They do not go from beach to beach, use tuk-tuks.

It will be beneficial to take a taxi only from the airport to the hotel and back, and in case of moving to a nearby province. Taxi prices are great!

The modes of transport in Phuket and Pattaya are identical, the difference is in distances and prices.

For lovers of outdoor activities and travel, the optimal price and level of mobility will be independent movement on a scooter.

Flight from Russia: how to get to Phuket and Pattaya

There are currently no direct flights. From Russia it will be most convenient to get first to Bangkok. On this moment 158 companies make direct flights.

The cheapest flight will be from Moscow. It is logical that flights with transfers will cost less than direct ones. The most demanded winter period.

It is more convenient to monitor flights through the search engines Aviasales and Skyscanner.

And already from Bangkok, depending on the chosen direction, it will be possible to get by taxi, bus, train or plane.

How to find accommodation while traveling? Hotels and apartments

You can always use specialized Internet sites, such as Booking.com. But from an economic point of view, it will be more profitable to rent a house or apartment right on the spot upon arrival .

Average price for a typical one-bedroom house no more than 15,000 baht per month. Naturally, the earlier you book, the cheaper your accommodation will be.

It is optimal to place an order somewhere six months before the desired arrival time.

Experienced, courageous tourists are not afraid to look for a place in a hotel or hostel right on the spot. Everyone will be able to find housing according to their financial capabilities.

For example, a three-star hotel will cost about 1,500 thousand per day.

Staying at a hotel means making your life as easy as possible. But renting a small apartment will be more profitable from an economic point of view, especially if you are going to relax with a large company.

Tsunami threat

One of the main issues that always worries tourists in Thailand is the likelihood of natural disasters. The possibility of a tsunami in Pattaya is minimal, and in Phuket a little higher.

Of course, the rescue services are always ready to help and the district keeps abreast of 12 warning towers every day.

But here no one can give 100% guarantees. Not much time has passed since the tragic events of 2004.

The article may be of interest:

Safety in Thailand

• Firstly, there is a danger of earthquakes and as a result the possibility of a tsunami.
• Second question- theft. Unfortunately the case is not rare. Therefore, you must first protect yourself. Should not be worn evening walk expensive jewelry or leaving it on the beach mobile phone.
• Third, exotic food. Be careful and watch your diet.

Consuming a wide variety of exotic foods can trigger an allergic reaction or food poisoning.

Cleanliness and comfort

The cleanliness of the beaches in Pattaya, despite the fact that it is monitored by local entrepreneurs, sometimes leaves much to be desired.

In Phuket, the level of cleanliness is an order of magnitude higher. As for the comfort of Thai hotels, everything here, as a rule, is at the highest level.

If you decide to plan a trip to Thailand on your own, then it’s worth it in advance, ideally six months in advance, take care of a number of questions:

• Buy tickets in advance. The most expensive flight
• Decide question of residence
• Visa. Not needed if you are traveling with a tourist purpose for a period not exceeding 30 days
• First aid kit. Prepare all necessary medication.
• Plan your itinerary around the country, purchase a map or download it to your mobile phone
• Learn the mode of operation public transport

Resort transport

Of the public transport in Thailand, there are buses, minibuses, taxis and motorcycle taxis.

Tuk-tuks have become the most optimal mode of transport today.

They have a number of advantages:

• price;
• work both during the day and at night;
• the most unusual exotic look transport.

Finding the best insurance

Insurance not included in the list binding documents , but for your own peace of mind it is better to have it. You can apply at any travel agency in a few minutes.

It is optimal to arrange it yourself via the Internet online - this is the most budget option.

Search for cheap flights

If you want to purchase a ticket at the lowest price, without extra charges and fees, then you should deal with the issue at least half a year in advance. Use the internet portal Airsales and Skyscanner.

Watch the flight should be with transfers and most often the flight is carried out from the capital - the city of Moscow.

Find out the best price for a hotel

To find the best price, you first need to decide on the category of the hotel. In general, in Thailand there are all possible options from luxury class to super economy options.

If you look at something in between three stars, then the hotel can be found even by best price 500 rubles per night.

Solo travel to Thailand

Cancellation of the ticket independent planning traveling is great unless you have small children.

So, let's start preparing and planning:

• Select country, city and island;
• Choice of time of year and duration of the tour;
• Decide on the composition of the participants;
• Prepare a travel itinerary;
• Search for cheap air tickets;
• Search for accommodation;
• Draw up the minimum required budget, taking into account expenses for accommodation, food, transport chalk expenses;
• Learn local customs.

Vacation preparation

It is better to start packing for a trip, especially if you are planning a tour on your own, six months in advance. This gives you the opportunity not only to prepare well, but also to spend the minimum amount of money.

Prepare to family vacation with children it is more convenient together with a travel agent, they will help you plan your vacation as comfortably as possible.

A ready-made tour immediately removes many questions, for example, how to get from the airport to the hotel.

The main task will be to prepare things for the road:

• cloth;
• swimming accessories;
• cosmetics, means from and for sunburn;
• medicines.

When choosing Pattaya for your vacation, keep in mind that rest here will be noisy and active. Lovers of clean sea will have to work hard to find the best beach.

There are always a lot of people at this resort. The direction of sex tourism is well developed.

Phuket

Choosing Phuket guarantees you clean beach and clear water. But it is difficult to call it ideal for couples. Entry into the water is quite steep everywhere, and the depth is great, plus the waves.

Prices here will be slightly higher than in Pattaya. Holidays here are more secluded and peaceful.

Koh Samui

Ranked among the top three big islands Thailand. Rest is focused on tranquility and solitude. Noisy night parties in large numbers you will not find here.

Enjoy a huge number of beaches with clear water. The pricing policy is average for Thailand, both in terms of accommodation and food.

Bangkok

The capital of Thailand will please all lovers of shopping with prices. The city is beautiful, rich cultural property but very noisy.

Tourists-lovers of a beach holiday, there is absolutely nothing to do here.. But the nightlife is the liveliest.

Believe me, the unequivocal answer to the question is what best Phuket or Pattaya is unlikely to give you. In fact, everything here depends very much on what will be a priority for you on vacation - a clear sea, night parties, or the opportunity to get to know the historical and natural sights of Thailand.

If we talk purely about the climate, then undoubtedly wins in this matter resort Pattaya, because there is definitely the most the best climate in Thailand. During the dry season, which lasts from November to April, rainfall occurs here no more than once or twice a month, and even then the rain lasts for a maximum of half an hour. Well, the rest of the time the gentle sun shines, which is so lacking in these winter months at our place.

During the rainy season, which in Thailand lasts from May to October, precipitation in Pattaya is not so frequent - once or twice a week, but it can last a whole week and the next week will be dry. True, the sky during this period is usually covered with clouds and the sun is not so often shown. But why be surprised? Still, the rainy season, in Phuket at this time, everything is much worse.

In Phuket, in the dry season, it rains about once or twice a week, but in the rainy season, they can go almost every day for a whole hour or even much longer. So in terms of weather, Pattaya has the palm. But as far as the purity of the air is concerned, everything is just the opposite. Of the minuses of Phuket, one can also note very high waves and even dangerous currents in the low season.

If you look at which of these two resorts has a better and cleaner sea, then Phuket definitely wins. In Pattaya, this is essentially not the sea at all, but just one name, not to mention the purity of the water in general. An incredibly large amount of water motor entertainment is concentrated here on the main beach, which cannot but affect the purity of the water in the sea. Well, plus, of course, the crowds of tourists do not differ in good manners and throw everything into the sea.

In Phuket, especially in those places where there are few tourists, it is much cleaner, of course. IN Lately many vacationers have adapted to rent a hotel in Pattaya and go swimming to nearby islands - for example, Koh Lan, where both the water and the beach are very clean.

The beaches are of course the best in Phuket. There are much more of them and in general they are wider than in Pattaya. Therefore, in Phuket it is very easy to choose a quiet and peaceful corner for your vacation. If desired, there is an opportunity here, of course, to find noisy party beaches. But in Pattaya, you can’t find sparsely populated beaches at all - there are a lot of people everywhere and everywhere.

As for the environment, Phuket undoubtedly wins here, because almost half of the island is occupied by forests, and in Pattaya itself there are practically no parks left where one could at least breathe clean air. Of course, there is no need to talk about such a strong gas contamination as, for example, in Bangkok or in the same Moscow, but still, from an environmental point of view, Phuket is much better.

But in terms of sightseeing, the first place remains with Pattaya. Although it itself may not have so many of them, but from it you can easily get anywhere. So in this regard, the island located in the Andaman Sea loses much to the resort of Pattaya.

There are all sorts of different entertainments here and there, so in this regard, Pattaya and Phuket are on an equal footing. But the prices for accommodation are really much higher in Phuket, it is generally considered the most expensive resort in Thailand. So the choice is yours, weigh all the pros and cons and decide.

Pattaya or Phuket - that is the question! These are the two most popular resort in Thailand. However, Phuket and Pattaya are fundamentally different from each other. In short, go to Phuket for a beach holiday, tropical vegetation and other exotic things, and go to Pattaya for shopping, transvestites and discos.

Pattaya or Phuket - which is better?

No one will give you a definite answer to this question. Because it all depends on the person and his interests. My opinion is that in Pattaya and Phuket you can have a wonderful rest, no matter what anyone says about these destinations. There are also beach holidays in PTT, on the island of Koh Lan, and in Phuket, of course, there are also various excursions, shopping and transvestites in Patong. There is even an analogue of Walking Street.

Phuket is worth going to if you prefer relaxing holiday on the seashore. So, to get out of the hotel to the beach, swim, sunbathe, and one evening go to the city for a party or watch some show. In Pattaya, on the contrary, the city cannot boast of exotic rough vegetation, and to get to a normal beach, you will have to go through a difficult path. But on the other hand, all shops, daytime and evening entertainment will always be within walking distance.

Also, it is believed that Pattaya is cheaper than Phuket, not only for tours, but also for prices in shops and markets. But actually this is not true. In Phuket, the prices for goods and products are the same as in Pattaya. Well, unless you buy food and fruits in stores near the sea, but move a little deeper into the area, the prices there will already be adequate. Only tickets and air tickets are more expensive. Tickets to Bangkok are cheaper by about 3-5 thousand rubles.

Comparison of Pattaya and Phuket

Ease of access

To get to Pattaya, you must first fly to Bangkok, and then get to the city by bus or taxi. Travel time is an hour and a half. To get to Phuket, you need to fly to the island, and then also get to the desired city. Travel time depends on the chosen city and on average no more than an hour. If you are coming on a tour, the transfer will be included in the price. For independent travelers the following links will be helpful:

Hotels

I will not say 100%, but it seemed to me that Phuket hotels are a little better. My personal opinion. Of course, there are very poor guesthouses on it, and PTT has chic five-star hotels. It seems to me that total number quality hotels, this island is still ahead of Pattaya. Especially hotels with good view, near the sea where you can swim.

Sea and beach holidays

Pattaya is a city resort, the beach there is not the best. Some tourists swim, but most disdain. IN tourist season, from November to March, even more or less clean sea and clear water, but in the off season, from May to September, the beach and the sea in PTT are very dirty. To swim in clean water you have to go to the neighboring island (Ko Lan).

Phuket is a resort with an excellent beach holiday. One of the best beaches Thailand. The sea is clean, the water is clear. Large wide beaches, Karon and Kata, resemble those of the ocean. In the low season, there may be waves, due to which the water becomes more cloudy. Phuket is definitely more suitable for swimming than Pattaya. If you are going to Thailand for a beach holiday, then only to the island of Phuket.

Beach in Pattaya in the Pratumnak area. Photos during the tourist season


And this is how dirty it is on the beaches of Pattaya in the off season. Bathing is canceled

Our beach holiday in Pattaya goes like this


Patong beach, Phuket


Karon Beach, Phuket


Kata-noi beach, Phuket

Entertainment

Pattaya has a lot of entertainment for children and adults. Water parks, museums, exhibitions, attractions, restaurants, a miniature park, various shows, concerts, fashion shows, including among transvestites, and much more. What is Volkin Street worth. Phuket also has all these entertainments, in the same way there are several shows of transvestites (Aphrodite, Sim Niramit), a zoo, a butterfly garden, Buddhist temples and so on. But maybe a little less entertainment for children.

Walking street Pattaya. Bangla road looks the same, only wider

Excursions

Travel agencies in PTT offer a variety of excursions, show programs, visits to temples, a zoo, Ayurvedic shops and factories. From PTT you can easily go to Bangkok or Ayutthaya on your own or with a tour. You can also go to Cambodia or even Laos for a two or three day excursion.

In Phuket, tourists are offered not only sightseeing tours around the island with visits to temples and jewelry, latex and other factories, as well as trips to the islands of Phi Phi, James Bond, Similan, elephant riding, waterfalls, artificial rafting, quad bikes, boat trips, diving and snorkeling, various shows of transvestites, elephants and shows for adults. You can take an excursion for 2-3 days in and.

Pay attention, everyone says that Pattaya is cheaper ... But! In Phuket, attractions are cheaper or completely free (Wat Chalong Temple - free, Zoo 300 baht, Bird Park 300 baht). And in PTT, the entrance costs an average of 500 baht per person everywhere (Temple of Truth 500 baht, Khao Kheo Zoo 500 baht, Nong Nooch Garden 500 baht)!

In terms of entertainment, it is difficult to say which is better, Pattaya or Phuket. Both resorts are rich in a variety of excursions and entertainment events, but Phuket is cheaper. .

Observation deck in Pattaya Big Budda Hill
Bangkok

Phi Phi Islands

Public transport

Pattaya has excellent public transport. Minibuses (songteo), which the locals for some reason call tuk-tuks, go through almost all the streets of the city. The fare is only 10 baht. Most minibuses operate around the clock. It will not be difficult to get to any part of the city.

In Phuket, transport is also in order, but there are some nuances that can cause inconvenience. Firstly, the distances are much greater, because PTT is a city, and Phuket is huge island. You should be prepared for the fact that the road will take time, especially to remote beaches such as Nai Harn or Mai Khao. Secondly, in connection with this, buses are more expensive - an average of 30-40 baht. Thirdly, they do not go as often as in PTT. And fourthly, buses only run until 5-6 pm, and some finish even earlier. Therefore, you can only move around the island in the evening by taxi if you don’t have your own transport.

Minibuses in Pattaya. Go often, cheap


A commemorative photo in front of a pink people truck in Phuket

Long term rental

Information for those who want to live in Thailand for a month or more. In both resorts, you can easily find a decent apartment in a condominium on the beach. Both there and there are houses for rent, which are often cheaper than apartments. There is a large selection of budget housing, and here and there you can live in a room for 5-6 thousand baht per month. Rental prices are about the same.

However, in Phuket from the beginning high season sharply increases the cost of renting housing near the beaches, almost 2 times. In the low season, from May to September, you can rent nice apartment in Patong for 10-15 thousand baht. But already from November to March, it will cost 20-25 thousand, while housing prices in the center of the island, in the areas of Kathu, Town, Chalong, do not change due to the season. Here is such a feature.

Read more about all the nuances of self-renting housing in Thailand at the links:

Product prices

The level of food prices is no different. Yes Yes exactly. Forget already this myth that Phuket is an expensive island. I don’t know who came up with this, but we have been living here for 5 months now, and most of the products in supermarkets, such as Tesco, Big C, 7-Eleven, are exactly the same as everywhere else in Thailand. Down to the penny. It also doesn't feel significant difference prices in the markets and in macashnitsa. High prices are always where there are many tourists. But it's worth a little detour tourist center, as you can already see the usual Thai price tags. Do not be guided by the mangoes on the beach, the same mangoes will cost 2 times cheaper in the market on the third street from the sea.

• - an example of an overpriced market for tourists
• - example of prices in the markets for local
• - an overview of Thai food courts where you can eat together 200 baht

Tsunami threat

In Pattaya, due to its geographical location, there are no tsunamis, typhoons, earthquakes and others natural Disasters. The most dangerous thing that happened here was a “flood” up to the ankle. Phuket is more dangerous in this respect. In 2004, the Phuket tsunami killed hundreds of people. Now in Thailand, a tsunami warning system is in place, the authorities assure that they will never again allow such victims.

Safety

In general, Thailand is pretty safe everywhere. However, according to statistics, Pattaya has the highest concentration of any unscrupulous public. Since people from all over Thailand, Laos, Burma and Cambodia, including from the poorest provinces, come to work in PTT. We recommend avoiding transvestites, they can distract, and at this time quietly get into pockets / bags and pull out all the valuables. For 4 months of our stay in PTT, there was one case when money was pulled out in a minibus.

Cleanliness and comfort

Pattaya is decently inferior in terms of cleanliness of beaches and tourist areas. In the city itself, during the high tourist season, it is even more or less clean, and in the low season, a lot of garbage appears on the embankment, on the beach and in the water.

Pictured is the embankment of Jomtien Beach

Phuket or Pattaya - where is it better to relax and live?

If you want to know our opinion, then Phuket is better ...

But, to each his own, as they say. Both resorts are good in their own way. Until we ourselves lived in PTT, we had a rather negative attitude towards this city and always preferred Phuket.

Public opinion inspired us that in Pattaya there is dirt, garbage, it stinks everywhere, rats and cockroaches are everywhere, and there are more trances and prostitutes on the city streets than tourists. Then life turned out so well that we moved to live in Pattaya and.

Of course, Thailand is not Europe, and there are streets where it can be not very clean or stink from the sewer, but these streets are usually far from tourist spots. Every city in Thailand has such streets. Thai women and "men" of easy virtue are also not as numerous as expected, separate streets have been allocated for them, where you can just so rarely get into.

As for the island of Phuket, we used to always think that it was insanely expensive, and look, apart from sea ​​excursions, there is nothing on it ... A few months ago we came to live in Phuket. Now with all responsibility I declare to you that all this is nonsense! The prices here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Thailand, there is public transport and excursions on land and water are no less diverse.

So, if you have already been to Phuket and do not know where to go, then do not listen to anyone, but rather visit Pattaya yourself. Check for yourself which is better, Pattaya or Phuket. Well, if you always come to rest in PTT, guided by stereotypes about the high cost of Phuket and so on, then “take a chance” to see something new and boldly go to Phuket Island!

What to choose, Pattaya or Phuket, if we are going to Thailand for the first time?

It usually happens that unprepared tourists, having seen enough beach photos from some travel agency, visit Patayka, see the dirty sea and dirty city beaches, and then begin to write bile reviews about the rest in Pattaya, tell friends and colleagues shocking facts, claim that all of Thailand is like that, and in general, they will never go to Asia again ... But you are not like that, since you came to this article.

A beach holiday in Pattaya looks something like this. Locals do not disdain dirty water

Therefore, in order to decide what to choose, Pattaya or Phuket, first of all, decide how you want to relax? I have already mentioned more than once in the article that people do not go to Pattaya for a beach holiday. If you want to swim in the sea every day, then choose Phuket. And rest in Pattaya means more fun, nightclubs and shopping. For vacationers and residents there, a few trips to Koh Lan are enough to swim. You can swim in Pattaya itself, there is nothing dangerous in this, just the sea can be very dirty.

In order not to be disappointed in Pattaya, keep in mind when choosing a trip that this is not beach resort.

And it is unlikely that you will be disappointed in Phuket, since the island has not only excellent beaches, but also many entertainment venues and attractions. The island has more natural attractions - 30 excellent beaches, mountains, neighboring islands and provinces.

Unless, all sorts of interesting things are further apart, since the island is huge, as I said, it takes time to travel. For example, you can get from Karon to Wat Chalong by bus in about 25 minutes, and the road to distant beaches, such as, can take about 2 hours due to traffic jams and waiting for the bus to change.

I believe that both resorts deserve your attention, and where it is better to go on vacation for the first time, decide for yourself, based on my recommendations.

Have you already been to Thailand? Where do you like the most?

Going to Thailand for the first time, many are wondering - which is better: Phuket or Pattaya? No wonder, because these are the two most popular resorts in this Asian country. We'll try to help you figure this out.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which is better. Firstly, a lot depends on the time of the year for which your trip falls. And secondly, from the goal that you are pursuing. If you are interested in wild discos and adult entertainment - this is one thing. But if you intend to relax with a child or prefer a beach holiday, then this is different.

Let's talk more about this.

Season and weather

What is better in terms of weather Pattaya or Phuket? The correct answer is that they are the same. But keep in mind that the so-called rainy season in Pattaya is winter and autumn, and in Phuket it is spring and summer. If you are planning a beach holiday, keep this in mind. However, possible rains almost always come in the afternoon or at night and interfere little with rest.

Rest

• Pattaya- a bustling resort city, with appropriate urban entertainment. At your service also: cafes, restaurants, discos, massage parlors, strip bars and ample opportunities for shopping. That is, it is not worth going here for a beach holiday.
• Phuket- a classic beach resort, besides it is an island. Here at your service are hotels with all the infrastructure, beaches, the cleanest sea and the corresponding marine entertainment. There are, of course, discos with bars, as well as shops, but compared to Pattaya, they are much more modest.

Beaches

Let's move on to the beaches of these two places. If you are primarily interested in them, then, of course, you should prefer Phuket. It is not even worth comparing these two places according to these parameters - Pattaya definitely loses and very much.

• Phuket beaches— clean, beautiful, offering a variety of services. The sand on them is coral, which means it is snow-white and tender. The sea is calm and clean, and the shores are buried in the greenery of palm trees and tropical vegetation. Coastal reefs are a great place for snorkeling and diving. But know that surfers love to come to Phuket in the rainy season for a reason. During this period, there are quite strong waves. For the attention of fishing enthusiasts, Phuket hosts a regular fishing championship in November.
• Pattaya beaches- these are rather classic city beaches, with all the ensuing consequences, and they are not very suitable for relaxing holiday. True, many small islands, not far from Pattaya, can offer a lot of interesting things for lovers to lie in the sun, but you need to go there, spending time, money and effort.

Entertainment, excursions and prices

Where is cheaper vacation in Pattaya or Phuket? And here Pattaya, as a city, will be in the black - here more possibilities For budget holiday, prices for housing and food compare favorably with the resort of Phuket. The nightlife in Pattaya is second to none, it is undeniably much more fun here, famous entertainment Patonga is just a pale shadow of what Pattaya has to offer in this respect. It also leads in terms of excursion opportunities, because it is located close to