It’s actually very easy to get to Pattaya from just about any corner of Thailand. Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most important tourist destinations, so it is served by multiple direct bus, van, and even train services from Bangkok.
With the exception of destinations further south than Pattaya on the eastern seaboard of Thailand, no matter where you are in Thailand you will first travel through or very close to Bangkok.
So basically, unless you are taking one of the few direct routes to Pattaya, you will first of all plan a route to Bangkok, and then from Bangkok to Pattaya.
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Bangkok to Pattaya Online Ticket Booking Services
Booking your travel tickets online can save you a lot of legwork, and make the whole process so much simpler. The booking process itself is easy, and the instructions you receive make it easy to find your pickup locations. There are several options available including public bus service, minivan, and private taxi. Just use the two links below and see if anything is convenient for you.
12go.asia offer a good selection of public bus and minivan tickets with departure and pickup points at various locations in Bangkok, including the airport and public bus terminal.
Klook.com offer tickets for bus services from the airport to Pattaya, and van services from Bangkok. I highly recommend you tale a look at Klook, there’s a lot more to them than travel tickets, they have some amazing tours and transport services available.
How to get to Pattaya from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Schedules and services are always subject to change: Whenever possible I will leave a link to the service provider so you can check current schedules and services.
Airport Pattaya Bus
The first departure time is 05:30, then from 06:00, it departs every hour until 22:00.
Departs from level 1, gate 8, arrival hall
Drop off points in Pattaya are central (klang) and south (tai) junctions on Sukhumvit highway, and finally on Thappraya Road. The 21:00 and 22:00 buses will only go to the North Pattaya bus terminal.
Ticket price is 120 baht.
Please check the website for updates: (connection may not be secure) airportbus.com.
Bell Travel Bus
Departs Suvarnabhumi at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00.
Departs from: meet at “Bell Travel Service” signboard on Level 1, near Gate 7.
Arrives at North Pattaya bus station, from there passengers are transported to hotel/home by minibus.
Ticket price is 250 baht.
Please check the website for updates: (connection may not be secure) http://www.belltravelservice.com/.
Taxis From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
Public taxis from Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya are available 24 hours a day at gates 4 and 7 on the first floor. The rate is a fixed rate of about (subject to change) 1,200 baht including motorway toll charges.
Pre-booking a private taxi is by the far the easiest and quickest way to get to Pattaya from Suvarnabhumi airport. Here’s a handy list of taxi services in Pattaya, including a couple of recommendations of my own. Finding your pre-booked taxi at Suvarnabhumi is very easy. Your taxi driver will give you instructions, and you will meet your driver at the meeting point at gate (meeting point) 3.
Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya
The only direct route from Don Mueang to Pattaya is via taxi, just like at Suvarnabhumi there are meter taxis waiting to take you to Pattaya. The journey time is a little longer, and the price of a taxi is a little higher, but between 1,600 and 1,800 baht is a good price for either a meter taxi or private taxi.
A1 Bus From Don Mueang to Morchit Bus Terminal
You could also take a taxi from Don Mueang to Morchit bus terminal, but at around 30 baht, the A1 bus is by far the cheapest option. The A1 bus service departs to Morchit bus terminal every 10 to 20 minutes between 07:00 and 24:00 from gate 6 on the first floor.
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 then take a bus to Pattaya, see details for Morchit bus terminal below.
Bangkok City Bus Services to Pattaya
Roong Reuang Coach provide regular – frequent bus services to North Pattaya Bus Station from 3 major bus terminals and 1 bus-stop in Bangkok.
Ekamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal: buses depart every 30 to 40 minutes between 05:00 and 23:00.
Morchit (Northern) Bus Terminal: buses depart every 30 to 40 minutes between 04:30 and 22:00.
Sai Tai (Southern) Bus Terminal: buses depart at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00.
Bang Na Bus Stop: buses depart every 30 to 40 minutes between 05:30 and 21:00.
You can check current schedules of all 4 Roong Reuang Bangkok to Pattaya bus routes on the Roong Reuang Coach website: pattayabus.com.
Direct Nationwide Bus Routes to and from Pattaya
There are several bus and coach companies servicing routes throughout Thailand from various bus terminals in Pattaya. Some of these services can be booked online through the company website, or through 12go. For those which can not be booked online, I recommend you either telephone (if possible) or go to the bus terminal or office in person and make a booking several days in advance to secure a seat.
Many buses and coaches operating on long-distance routes in Thailand have VIP seats, and they are well worth paying a little extra for.
Nakhon Chai Air Bus to and from Pattaya
The Nakhon Chai bus service stops to collect passengers at their terminal on Sukhumvit highway in Pattaya en route to and from Rayong to the following destinations in north and north-east Thailand. See below.
Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Chiang Mai, Mae Sai, Nan, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Buriram.
Nakhon Chai also have many routes from Bangkok, to view all routes please refer to the Nakhon Chai website: https://www2.nakhonchaiair.com.
Yellow Bus to and from Pattaya
Yellow Bus northeast Thailand destinations: Yasothon – Surin – Aranyaprathet – Mukdahan – Umnatcharoen – Roiet – Buriram – Nangrong – Satuk – Prakornchai, – Prasart.
Yellow Bus to and from Koh Samui ferry terminal at Surat Thani via: Seatran Ferry – Donsak – Surattani – Chumporn – Hua Hin – Bangplee – Chonburi – Pattaya – Rayong. yellow Bus website: (connection may not be secure) http://www.iloveyellowbus.com
Chan Tour Khon Kaen to Pattaya
The Chan Tour bus arrives in and departs Pattaya 2 times a day. Tickets can be purchased through the 7/Eleven counter service. See the Chan Tour website for details https://chantour.co.th
View all major bus terminals in Pattaya
How to get to Pattaya by Train
On weekdays only, there is a 3rd class train which makes a stop at Pattaya train station on its route from Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station to Sattahip. The train departs Bangkok at 06:50 and arrives in Pattaya at approximately 10:18. On the return journey from Sattahip to Bangkok the train arrives in Pattaya at 14:20, and then in Bangkok at 18:25. tickets for this train can only be purchased from the train station.
A new 2nd class air-conditioned train service started operating between Bangkok and Pattaya (on weekends only) in March 2018. The service will initially operate for a trial period of 6 months.
The Thai railway network is very expansive, and it is possible to reach Bangkok by train from every corner of Thailand. If you are traveling to Bangkok by train and would like to make the final leg of your journey from Bangkok to Pattaya by train, you can check all schedules and arrival times on the Thai Railway online timetable: (connection may not be secure) http://www.railway.co.th/main/index_en.html
Thailand rail tickets can be purchased online through 12Go.asia. Tickets for journeys from minor stations like Pattaya can be bought at the station.
Getting to Pattaya from Utapao Airport
There are not many options from Utapao to Pattaya, which actually makes it quite simple. You either pre-book a taxi and have it waiting for you, which will cost between 800 and a 1000 baht, or you use one of the many taxi and van services which you can book at any number of kiosks in the arrivals hall. Mini van services to Pattaya currently (2018) cost between 250 – 300 baht per person.
Some airlines, most notably AirAsia offer an inclusive shuttle service to and from Pattaya. If the service is available you will usually find it on the booking form when you are making a reservation.
In Pattaya
Getting around Pattaya: The best and cheapest ways to get around in Pattaya.
Pattaya hotel booking tips: Find the best places to stay, and get the cheapest hotel deals in Pattaya.
Pattaya beginners tips & tricks: Essential tips if it’s your first visit to Pattaya.