The secret to getting from Bangkok to Pattaya stress-free—without overpaying, wasting time, or getting ripped off—is knowing exactly what transport options are available, and when possible, booking in advance.
Whether you’re on a budget, want the fastest door-to-door option, or prefer the safe driving style of a lady driver, this guide breaks down the best ways to get from Bangkok to Pattaya—fast, cheap, or in style.
Search and Book Bangkok to Pattaya Transport Online
You can book most of the routes and services (listed below) directly with the operators or through 12Go, but by searching Bangkok to Pattaya on 12Go, you can often discover new and alternative options which might be more convenient for you—and book securely.
Must Have Apps
Download the Bolt and Grab ride booking apps; they are handy for going to, from, and getting around Pattaya.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
There are 2 international airports in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Suvarnabhumi has been the main international airport since it opened in 2006 and is the closest to Pattaya, taking approximately 2 hours to reach Pattaya by bus and 90 minutes by taxi.
When you arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and disembark from the plane, follow the signs to ‘Passport Control’ or to ‘Visa On Arrival’ if you need to apply for a visa on arrival.
You should allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to pass passport control, collect your bags, and clear customs before reaching the arrivals hall (2nd floor).
Withdrawing and changing money:
You can use your debit/ATM card to withdraw cash from ATMs or exchange money for Thai Baht at currency exchanges within the arrivals hall.
Compared to money changers in Pattaya, though, or those outside the Airport Rail Link on floor B (basement), exchange rates in the arrivals hall are poor. So only change enough to pay for your taxi or other short-term expenses.
Buy a SIM card?
You can buy a Tourist SIM Card at kiosks in the arrivals hall or in Pattaya; it’s up to you.
Private Taxi to Pattaya From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Getting from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya doesn’t get any easier or faster than using Pattaya taxi services. Pre-book at least a few days in advance and use a service with lady drivers whenever possible to ensure the most pleasant journey.
Your driver will be waiting to meet you, holding a placard with your name written, near whichever exit gate was confirmed as the meeting point. That will usually be on level 2, so just across from where you enter the arrivals hall.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport TO Pattaya By Bus
Bell Travel and Airport Pattaya Bus are two services operated by the Roong Reuang Coach. The company also has a service from the airport to Hua Hin and between North Pattaya Bus Station and Bangkok City.
Bell Travel and Airport Pattaya Bus depart from level 1, gate 8.
To buy tickets and redeem vouchers for online bookings, look for the Roong Reuang counter, marked ‘PATTAYA – HUA HIN’ near gate 8 on level 1.
To ensure a seat at any given time, you should pre-book online, especially during Christmas and New Year, the busiest period of the high season in Pattaya. Booking online costs a little bit more, but it’s well worth it.
Airport Pattaya Bus
A cheap bus service to Jomtien, Pattaya, from Bangkok Airport.
Tickets cost 143 baht (subject to change) per person. They expect you to have the correct change, and there is a charge for baggage over 20 kilos.
Departure times from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya are every hour, from 07:00 to 21:00.
Departs from level 1, gate 8, and stops to let passengers off at North Pattaya, South Pattaya, and finally at Jomtien bus station on Thappraya Road, approximately 4.30 kilometers from Central Pattaya Road and 900 meters from Jomtien Beach.
website: https://airportpattayabus.com/
How to Get to Pattaya from Jomtien Bus Station
To get to Pattaya from Jomtien Bus Station by baht bus (songthaew) walk across to the other side of the road and wait for one en route to Pattaya and get off anywhere along the baht bus route, which costs 10 to 20 baht.
Alternatively, you can use the Bolt or Grab ride booking apps or a motorcycle taxi to your hotel or residence.
There is often some conflict between standard taxi services and Bolt and Grab, so if you use Bolt or Grab, walk some distance away from any other taxi services first.
For more information on baht bus routes read this guide to getting around Pattaya.
Bell Travel Bus to Pattaya
A cheap and convenient way to get from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport to your hotel or residence in Pattaya.
Tickets cost approximately 300 baht per person.
Departure times from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya are 08:30, 10:30, 12:30 14:30, 16:30, and 18:00.
Departs from level 1, gate 8, and arrives at North Pattaya bus station, where passengers are shuttled to the final destination (home or hotel) by minibus.
Website: https://belltravelservice.com/
Public Taxi From Bangkok Suvanabhumi Airport to Pattaya
Public taxis operate 24 hours a day at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The taxi ranks/waiting area is through gate 4 on level (floor) 1.
At the front of the lane/queue, there is a ticket machine. The ticket will tell you about your car and where to find it.
When you tell the driver where you are going, he will tell you the price. It’s a fixed price to Pattaya, including airport tax and tollway fees. Expect to be quoted 1,500–1,800 baht, negotiable.
Bolt and Grab Taxis to Pattaya From Suvarnabhumi
You can use the Bolt and Grab apps to book rides to and from the airport.
If you want to use the Grab app, there is a central waiting area and pick-up point through gate 4 on level 1.
When you use the Bolt app, the driver will usually call or text you the pick up location.
How To Get To Pattaya From Bangkok Don Mueang Airport
Free airport shuttle service: Unfortunately, taking the free shuttle bus from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi, then onward by bus to Pattaya is not possible. You can only use the free shuttle service if you have proof that you are flying from whichever airport you are traveling to.
The Transport Co Bus From Don Mueang to Pattaya
The Transport Co bus departs to Pattaya from the arrivals floor at the International Terminal 1 at 06:0, 10:30, 13:30, and 17:30.
Drop off points in Pattaya are along Sukhumvit highway close to the North, Central, South, and Thepprasit Road junctions. Journey time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Website: https://tcl99web.transport.co.th/Home
From Don Mueang and Morchit to Pattaya by Bus
The A1 bus departs from gate 6 on the first floor of Terminal 1 at Don Mueang Airport approximately every 15 minutes from around 06:00 to 21:00, then about every 30 minutes until midnight. Tickets cost 30 baht.
The A1 bus also stops at Morchit BTS, don’t get off here; stay on the bus until it arrives at Morchit bus terminal. From Morchit, you can take a bus to Pattaya.
Scroll down to view the Morchit to Pattaya bus timetable.
Mochit New Van Terminal is just across the highway from the bus terminal. Vans go from there to various locations in Pattaya, so that is also an option.
Search Bangkok to Pattaya on 12go to find and book transport from Morchit bus and van terminals to Pattaya.
Don Mueang to Pattaya via BTS and Bus From Ekamai
Go to gate 6 on Floor 1 at Terminal 1 and take the A1 bus to Morchit (Mo Chit) BTS. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately 30 baht.
At Mo Chit BTS, go up the steps and take the train to Ekamai BTS. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Ekamai and costs 47 baht.
At Ekamai, take exit 2, down the steps, and turn 180 degrees; then, it’s just a short walk to Ekamai Bus Terminal, where you take the bus to North Pattaya Bus Station.
Scroll down the page for more information and Ekamai to Pattaya bus timetable.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBBFaergd5w
Search all transport options from Bangkok to Pattaya on 12go.com.
How To Get To Pattaya From Bangkok City By Bus
The cheapest most convenient way to Pattaya from downtown Bangkok.
Roong Reuang Coach company provides frequent bus services to North Pattaya Bus Station from 3 bus stations (terminals) in Bangkok.
Morchit (Northern) Bus Terminal: buses depart at 05:00, 06:30, 08:00, 09:30, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:30, and 18:00. Tickets cost 140 baht.
Ekamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal: buses depart at 06:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, and 21:00. Tickets cost 131 baht.
Bang Na Bus Stop: buses depart at 06:30, 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 20:30, and 21:30. Tickets cost 131 baht.
Confused about Morchit bus terminal? Morchit is also spelled as Mochit and Mo Chit and is known as Mochit 2, New Mochit, and Chatuchak. Don’t worry; they are all one and the same. This Wikipedia article about Mo Chit Bus Terminal explains that the original Mo Chit Bus Terminal ceased operating in 1998 and moved to the new Chatuchak Bus Terminal.
You can check the current schedules of all Roong Reuang Bangkok to Pattaya bus routes on the Roong Reuang Coach website: https://pattayabus.com/
North Pattaya Bus Station to Pattaya
You will almost certainly be asked if you would like a taxi, typically a baht bus, when you arrive at North Pattaya Bus Station. If you do, just tell them where you are staying then they will show which baht bus to board. The price is usually 100–150 depending on where you are staying.
How to get to Pattaya by Train
Not many foreigners travel from Bangkok to Pattaya by train, it’s slow and only runs once per day. Rather than being a fast and convenient mode of transport, you should consider it more of Bangkok to Pattaya travel experience, much like the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train is a Thailand travel experience.
On weekdays only, a 3rd class train stops at Pattaya train station en route from Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station to Chuk Samet in Sattahip. On the return journey from Sattahip the train stops in briefly in Pattaya before returning to Bangkok.
A new 2nd class air-conditioned train service started operating between Bangkok and Pattaya (on weekends only) in March 2018. It stops in Pattaya en route to Chuck Samet, stopping at popular places such as Nong Nooch Gardens and Wat Yansangwararam along the way.
Read this article about Pattaya Train Station for more information and Bangkok to Pattaya timetable.
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