Thailand is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Asia, but many parents struggle with one big question when planning their trip: should you stay in Bangkok or should you plan a family trip to Pattaya?
Both destinations are popular with families and both offer plenty of attractions for children. However, they provide very different experiences. Bangkok is a huge, fast-paced city packed with attractions, shopping centres and cultural sights, while Pattaya offers beaches, water parks and a more relaxed holiday/resort atmosphere.
If you’re travelling with autistic children, younger children, sensory-sensitive children or simply want the easiest family holiday possible, the differences between the two destinations can be significant.
This guide compares Bangkok and Pattaya across the areas families care about most.
Getting To Bangkok With Kids
Bangkok is usually the easiest option if you are flying into Thailand as Bangkok has two major airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang whereas Pattaya is serviced by the Bangkok airports and U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport which is just south of Pattaya.
Once you land, you’re already in the city.
Getting From Suvarnabhumi Airport To Bangkok
After arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, there are several ways to reach your hotel in Bangkok.
Private Transfer Cars
Private transfer vehicles are available directly from the arrivals area and are often the easiest option for families. Expect to pay around 800-1,000 THB (£18-23) per vehicle. Journey times are usually between 45 and 60 minutes, although Bangkok traffic can significantly affect this. The biggest advantage is convenience, especially if you’re travelling with young children, pushchairs or lots of luggage.
Airport Metered Taxis
Official airport taxis generally cost around 350-500 THB (£8-12), including the airport surcharge and most tolls. To access the taxi rank, follow the signs downstairs from the arrivals level (literally you need to go down one level to find the taxi rank from where you exit immigration). You will collect a queue ticket from a machine before being directed to the next available driver. Although the queue can appear lengthy during busy periods, it often moves faster than expected.
One drawback is that you are usually allocated the next available vehicle. If you need a larger taxi for a disability pushchair, mobility equipment or a large family, there is limited opportunity to choose a bigger vehicle without waiting longer.
Ride-Hailing Apps (Bolt, Grab and Others)
Ride-hailing apps are another popular way to travel from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The two main apps used by visitors are Bolt and Grab. In my experience, Bolt is often cheaper than both Grab and the official airport taxis, although prices can vary depending on demand.
The biggest advantage is knowing the fare before you travel and being able to choose different vehicle sizes if you need extra luggage space. This can be particularly helpful for families travelling with pushchairs, car seats or mobility equipment.
The downside is that airport pick-up locations can sometimes be confusing, especially if you’ve just arrived in Thailand. Drivers are usually required to collect passengers from designated ride-hailing pick-up points rather than directly outside the arrivals doors. For Suvarnabhumi Airport, you need to make your way to level 4 and then exit to the outside to be in the correct location for meeting a ride hail driver.
For families who are comfortable using smartphone apps, Bolt is often one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to get from either Bangkok airport into the city.
Getting From Don Mueang Airport To Bangkok
Don Mueang Airport is located closer to central Bangkok than Suvarnabhumi, making transfers slightly shorter in many cases.
Private Transfer Cars
Private transfers are widely available and are a straightforward option for families arriving after a long flight. Prices typically range from 700-1,000 THB (£16-23) depending on your destination and vehicle size. Most journeys into central Bangkok take between 30 and 50 minutes, although traffic conditions can increase travel times considerably during peak hours.
Airport Metered Taxis
Official metered taxis can be found outside the terminal buildings and generally cost around 250-450 THB (£6-10), plus any toll charges incurred during the journey. Follow the signs to the taxi queue where you’ll receive a ticket and be assigned the next available driver.
This is one of the most affordable ways to reach the city, but families travelling with substantial luggage or larger mobility equipment may find vehicle sizes inconsistent. During busy periods it may take some patience to secure a taxi with enough space for your group’s needs.
Many family-friendly hotels can be reached within 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Getting To Pattaya With Kids
Pattaya is mostly served by the airports in Bangkok though Pattaya does have U-Tapao Airport. Unfortunately, international flight options are far more limited at U-Tapao Airport.
Most overseas visitors fly into Bangkok and then transfer to Pattaya by:
- Private taxi
- Shared transfer
- Coach service
- Rental car
The journey typically takes around 90 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
After a long international flight, some families find this extra journey exhausting.
Winner: Bangkok
Average Hotel Costs: Bangkok vs Pattaya
Bangkok Hotel Costs For Families
Bangkok offers excellent value for families.
A good family room or family suite in a mid-range hotel often costs:
- £60–£120 per night
- Family suites £100–£180 per night
- Luxury family hotels £180–£350+ per night
Many hotels include:
- Swimming pools (standard pools, not many have a kids pool)
- Kids’ clubs (play rooms rather than a staffed kids club)
- Kitchenettes
- Washing machines
- Family rooms with separate bedrooms
My guide to visiting Bangkok with kids has feedback on a range of hotels that we have stayed in in Bangkok, some of the best we have found as a family of five are the Evegreen Place Hotel Siam and Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom.
Pattaya Hotel Costs For Families
Pattaya can sometimes be slightly cheaper than Bangkok, and when it comes to family-friendly amenities you’ll often find that Pattaya offers much more bang for your buck. Bangkok does not have many hotels with pools specifically for children, but you will certainly find some in Pattaya.
Typical family accommodation costs:
- £40–£100 per night
- Family suites £80–£150 per night
- Luxury resorts £150–£300+ per night
Beachfront resorts can offer excellent value compared with similar properties in Bangkok.
Winner: Pattaya (slightly)
Family-Friendly Hotels
Bangkok Family-Friendly Hotels
Bangkok has an enormous selection of family-friendly hotels, which offer a huge range of child-friendly amenities such as kids’ play rooms, shallower sections in the swimming pool, family rooms or apartment style rooms within hotels.
Popular options include:
- Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom
- Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21
- Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
- Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
- Evergreen Place Siam by UHG
Many Bangkok hotels are directly connected to shopping centres or public transport, making life easier with children. One example of this is the Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom, where there is a hotel entrance/exit directly into the Central Bangrak mall. This was so handy for picking up food (both cooked and from the supermarket) and taking it back to the apartment.
Pattaya Family-Friendly Hotels
Pattaya specialises in family resorts and family-friendly hotels. There is a much larger option of hotels which offer kids pools, splash pools or even waterparks. You’ll also find themed hotels like the Hard Rock Hotel and Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya.
Popular options include:
- Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya
- Holiday Inn Pattaya
- Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya
- Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
Many of these hotels offer splash pads, kids pools, kids play rooms or kids clubs and beach access.
Winner: Pattaya
Activities For Children in Bangkok vs Pattaya
Things to do in Bangkok With Kids
Bangkok is one of Asia’s best cities for family attractions – there is an endless number of things you can do with kids and you’ll never find yourself bored.
Examples include:
- HarbourLand (soft play) which has multiple locations throughout Thailand
- Playmondo (another soft play)
- Kidzoona
- Sea Life Bangkok
- Dream World
- Safari World
- Pororo AquaPark
- Benjakitti Park (green space park)
- Lumpini Park (green space park with water monitor lizards)
- Children’s Discovery Museum (includes a splahpad play area)
- Indoor playgrounds
- Ice skating
- Trampoline parks
- Interactive museums
If it rains, you’ll still have dozens of options. I cover a lot of these activities in my post about visiting Bangkok with kids, you can find my feedback and a ton of photos of different spots in Bangkok to get your bucketlist ready.
Things to do in Pattaya With Kids
Pattaya’s attractions focus more on outdoor fun, but that doesn’t mean that there is a lack of indoor activities to do in Pattaya as a family.
Popular choices include:
- Columbia Pictures Aquaverse
- Ramayana Water Park
- Pattaya Dolphinarium
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
- Mini Siam
- Underwater World Pattaya
- Beaches
- Island day trips
- Cartoon-themed attractions
There are fewer attractions overall than Bangkok but many families prefer the resort atmosphere and the more outdoor-focused activities available in Pattaya. I talk about a lot of these places in my guide to visiting Pattaya with kids, and you can read my personal feedback and check out photos of the places we have visited to help you plan your Pattaya family itinerary.
Winner: Bangkok
Rainy Day Options in Bangkok vs Pattaya
Bangkok Rainy Day Activities
Bangkok wins comfortably when it comes to things to do on rainy days in Thailand.
You could spend weeks exploring:
- Shopping centres
- Soft play centres
- Museums
- Aquariums
- Indoor attractions
- Cafes
- Family entertainment venues
Pattaya Rainy Day Activities
Pattaya has some indoor activities but far fewer choices than Bangkok. This does not mean that there is not enough to do on raindy days in Pattaya during your stay… there is so much to do and likely plenty to fill your rainy days in Pattaya.
Several days of heavy rain can feel limiting compared with Bangkok, but with some planning and research you can find a range of things to do like:
- Harborland soft plays
- Terminal 21 airport themed mall
- Art in Paradise
- Ripleys Believe it or Not!
- Teddy Bear museum
- Underwater World
Winner: Bangkok
Familiar Foods in Bangkok vs Pattaya
Eating in Bangkok With Kids
Bangkok is exceptional for familiar foods.
You’ll find:
- McDonald’s
- KFC
- Burger King
- Pizza Hut
- Starbucks
- Subway
- Dairy Queen
- Krispy Kreme
- Pretzels
- Japanese restaurants
- Korean restaurants
- Western supermarkets
Many shopping centres contain huge food courts offering both Thai and international options. You’ll also find internation chains like McDonald’s and KFC on food delivery apps like Grab, meaning you can get familiar foods easily even when you aren’t close enough to walk to a restaurant.
For autistic children with restricted diets, Bangkok is often surprisingly easy.
Eating in Pattaya With Kids
Pattaya also has plenty of familiar foods, and you’ll find similar chain restaurants to those available in Bangkok. The only difference is that there are less of them in Pattaya compared to Bangkok, but it is still widely availavle and easy to source especially with food delivery options like Grab.
You’ll find:
- International chains
- British pubs
- Family restaurants
- Pizza restaurants
- Shopping centre food courts
However, the range is generally smaller than Bangkok.
Winner: Bangkok
Public Transport in Bangkok vs Pattaya
Bangkok Public Transport
Bangkok offers:
- BTS Skytrain
- MRT Metro
- Airport Rail Link
- River boats
- Taxis
- Grab
There are a huge range of transport options for families in Bangkok, and I have a full guide that breaks down accessible transport in Thailand for those with mobility issues or even those travelling with a child in a pushchair. I also have a guide to travelling by rail in Thailand with a disability.
Pattaya Public Transport
Pattaya relies more heavily on:
- Songthaews (shared taxis)
- Grab
- Taxis
- Private drivers
Public transport is simpler but less extensive than it is in Bangkok. You’ll find very similar transport options in Pattaya and Bangkok, and again my guide to accessible transport in Thailand explains more about using public transport with a disability in Thailand.
Winner: Bangkok
Beaches in Bangkok vs Pattaya
Beaches in Bangkok
There are no beaches in Bangkok, and with companies like GetYourGuide you can often book a beach day trip from Bangkok but it will likely be in Pattaya or on an island off the coast of Pattaya.
Beaches in Pattaya
Multiple beaches nearby to Pattaya including:
- Pattaya Beach
- Jomtien Beach
- Wong Amat Beach
If you are willing to travel a little further, you can visit nearby islands with gorgeous beaches such as Koh Larn and Ko Sichang.
Families wanting a traditional beach holiday usually prefer Pattaya.
Winner: Pattaya
Sensory Environment in Bangkok vs Pattaya
Sensory Environment in Bangkok
The sensory environment of Bangkok can be overwhelming, but you can work around it to some extent. There are areas which are much busier than others (like Chinatown and Khao San Road) and you can visit at different times of day to avoid crowds.
Expect:
- Crowds
- Noise
- Traffic
- Busy shopping centres
- Lots of visual stimulation
However, many attractions offer quieter mornings and weekdays and families can plan their outings to avoid the busiest time of day.
Bangkok is also very hot, because of the weather and the traffic and street food stalls. We found that giving the children a personal fan to use was a lifesaver and it always worked to offer an ice lolly and a cold drink from 7Eleven. You can also find cooling patches in most 7Eleven stores, simply stick on on your forehead or somewhere more discreet if you prefer… they stick to your body and offer temporary cooling directly on the skin. I have a guide dedicated to over-the-counter medication in Thailand that also details some of the other options available in Thai convenience stores.
Sensory Environment in Pattaya
Pattaya generally feels calmer than Bangkok, especially away from the main walking street or in areas away from the centre of Pattaya (like Jomtien).
Families often find:
- More outdoor space
- Fewer crowds
- Resort environments
- Easier pacing
Winner: Pattaya
Which Destination Is Better For Families?
Wheter Bangkok or Pattaya is better really depends on your families needs… weigh up what it is you want from your trip to Thailand for your family and opt for the city that meets the most of your needs.
Choose Bangkok if:
- You want the most attractions
- You need lots of rainy-day options
- Your child relies on familiar foods
- You prefer excellent public transport
- You are visiting Thailand for the first time
- You enjoy city breaks
Choose Pattaya if:
- You want beaches
- You prefer resort-style holidays
- Your children love water parks
- You want a slower pace
- You prefer spending most days outdoors
For most first-time family visitors to Thailand, Bangkok is usually the stronger choice. It offers more attractions, more family-friendly shopping centres, more familiar foods and significantly more options when plans change.
However, Pattaya can be the better choice for families who simply want to relax. The beaches, water parks and resort hotels create an easy holiday environment that many children love.
Bangkok vs Pattaya Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bangkok or Pattaya better for families with children?
Both destinations can work well for families, but they offer very different experiences. Bangkok is usually better for families looking for attractions, shopping centres, indoor activities and easy access to familiar foods. Pattaya is often preferred by families wanting beaches, water parks and a more relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Is Pattaya cheaper than Bangkok for families?
Pattaya is often slightly cheaper when it comes to hotels, especially beachfront resorts. However, Bangkok has a wider range of accommodation options, from budget hotels to luxury family suites. Activity costs can vary, so the overall difference may not be as large as many travellers expect.
How many days should families spend in Bangkok and Pattaya?
Many families find that 4–5 days in Bangkok and 3–5 days in Pattaya works well. This gives you enough time to enjoy Bangkok’s attractions before slowing down and enjoying the beaches and water parks in Pattaya.
Which destination has more things to do with children?
Bangkok has significantly more attractions overall. Families can choose from aquariums, indoor playgrounds, museums, theme parks, shopping centres and cultural attractions. Pattaya has fewer attractions but offers excellent water parks, beaches and outdoor activities.
Is Pattaya suitable for autistic children?
Many autistic children enjoy Pattaya because it is generally less crowded and less overwhelming than Bangkok. The resort-style hotels, beaches and outdoor spaces can provide a calmer environment. However, Bangkok offers more sensory-friendly indoor attractions and a wider range of familiar foods for children with restricted diets.
Can you easily travel between Bangkok and Pattaya?
Yes. The journey between Bangkok and Pattaya typically takes around 90 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. Families can travel by private transfer, taxi, coach or train, making it easy to combine both destinations into the same holiday.
Continue Planning Your Trip to Bangkok
- Starting in the capital? Learn more about planning a trip to Bangkok with autistic children
- Travelling to Thailand with a disability? Learn more about the special assistance at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok
- Fancy visiting Siam Bangkok? Learn more about visiting Siam Bangkok with kids
- Considering Khao San Road? Learn more about going to Khao San Road with kids
- Need ideas for things to do at Khao San Road? Here are some of the best things to do at Khao San
- Visiting Bangrak? Learn about some free things to do in Bangrak Bangkok
Continue Planning Your Trip to Thailand
- Heading to Pattaya? My guide breaks down what to expect in Pattaya with kids
- Fancy the North? Consider visiting Chiang Mai with kids
- Ready for island vibes? Consider visiting Koh Samui with autistic children
- Need special assistance but not with Suvarnabhumi? Here is a list of all of the special assistance departments for Thailand’s airports with direct links
- Coming to Thailand with medication? Learn how to bring medication into Thailand legally
- Need to stock up on essentail meds? Learn what over-the-counter medication you can grab in Thailand without a prescription
- Plan ahead for your trip to Thailand by learning about and completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you land
- Travelling with mobility issues, kids in a pushchair or something else? Learn more about accessible transport options in Thailand
- Learn more about travelling by train in Thailand with a disability
- Confused about the stamps in 7Eleven? Here is a detailed guide to collecting 7Eleven stamps
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
You can click on each image to go directly to the guide for that topic.
