Utapao Airport is the closest domestic and international airport to Pattaya, making it convenient for anyone visiting Pattaya from within Thailand or from several overseas destinations. Cheap domestic and international flights also make it convenient for Pattaya residents, especially those looking for cheap and easy ways to travel to distant locations in Thailand.
On this page, you can compare both international and domestic flight prices in and out of Utapao Airport and find the cheapest and most convenient ways to travel between Pattaya and Utapao Airport.
Where is Utapao Airport?
Utapao Airport is also sometimes referred to as Pattaya Airport, Rayong Airport, Utapao Rayong Pattaya Airport, and more. It’s no wonder if you’re confused as to exactly where it is.
The exact location of Utapao Airport (Google map) is in Rayong province, about 45 kilometers south of central Pattaya, and takes 40–50 minutes to reach by car.
Is It Worth Using Utapao Airport?
You can travel by car to Pattaya form Utapao Airport up to an hour faster than from Suvarnabhumi Airport, and up to two hours faster than from Don Mueang Airport.
Depending on where you are traveling to/from, the price of flights to and from Utapao might be more expensive compared to flying to and from Bangkok.
Flights To and From Utapao Airport
Skyscanner finds the cheapest flight prices available by comparing the prices of all the airlines flying in and out of Utapao Airport. It gives you lots of different flight options for both domestic and international flights.
Some popular domestic destinations you can fly to from Utapao include Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
Alternative Modes of Transport To and From Pattaya
If flights are too expensive, or there are none, search for transport from Pattaya to your destination on 12Go.com to find alternative transport.
Getting To and From Utapao Airport
The increased number of international and domestic flights departing and leaving Utapao airport has made this a popular route, and many options are now available.
There are several minivan services to and from Pattaya, including betweeen Pattaya and Utapao Airport for a cost of around 300 baht in both directions. Subject to availabilty, you can find them by searching to/from Rayong Airport (airport code UTP) on 12Go.com.
If you want to do it dirt cheap, you could take a white baht bus (songthaew) from Sukhumvit Road to the airport entry road, and then take a motorcycle taxi or another songthaew to the airport.
Taxi to and From Pattaya Utapao Airport
You can order taxis and find links to download Bolt and Grab ride booking apps from my Pattaya taxi services page. If you have time to order in advance, I recommend you use a female driver, either Tan’s or Nam’s taxi service. There are also many other taxi services on the page, which you can book either by telephone or email. The price of a taxi between Pattaya and Utapao Airport costs 800–1000 baht.
At Utapao airport arrival hall, there is a kiosk where you can arrange a taxi or minibus to Pattaya.
Air Asia Transport To and From Pattaya
You must book direct with Air Asia to use the AirAsia minivan service from Pattaya to Utapao. When booking your flight from Pattaya, make your point of origin “Pattaya Central” instead of Utapao; a minivan will collect you from outside Central Festival Beach shopping mall. For flights into Utapao, simply make “Pattaya Central” your destination instead of Utapao. When you arrive at the airport, hand in your coupon. The minivan will take you to Central Festival Beach shopping mall.
PPK Travel
PPK Travel, based in downtown Pattaya, has a minivan and car service from Pattaya to Utapao. For rates and contact details, take a look at this Facebook page.
Crane Travel Service
According to reports on the Internet, this minivan service may be hit or miss. If they answer the phone, it is said to be a very cheap and reliable service. They are recommended by Bangkok Airways, and for around 250 baht, they will collect you at your hotel in Pattaya and take you directly to Utapao airport. You can arrange a minivan with Crane Travel by calling 081-377-2778. Whether or not they offer the service from Utapao to Pattaya, I cannot say, but you can always ask.