It’s 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.
Except for 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 unless you are taking one of the few direct routes to Pattaya, you will first need to plan a route to Bangkok, then from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Once you arrive in Pattaya, there are many great options for getting around Pattaya, including baht bus (songthaew), motorcycle taxi, and ride booking apps.
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HOW TO GET TO PATTAYA BY TAXI
If you are not on a tight budget, using a private taxi is the most convenient and comfortable way to get to Pattaya from Bangkok.
There are many private taxi companies in Pattaya and in Bangkok that will pick you up at either of the Bangkok airports or any location in Bangkok City and take you to your home or hotel in Pattaya.
BOOK A RIDE TO PATTAYA ONLINE
If you can buy bus, flight, minivan, train, taxi, or even ferry tickets to Pattaya from your location in Thailand online, it will make getting to Pattaya a whole lot easier.
If there is no direct route to Pattaya from your location, try searching for online tickets to Bangkok and then from Bangkok to Pattaya.
The advantages of buying tickets online are:
- Clear directions to your departure point
- Instructions on how to use your voucher
- Information on baggage allowance
- Genuine user reviews and travel tips
Some popular direct routes to Pattaya on 12Go include:
- Bangkok to Pattaya by bus, minivan, taxi
- Chiang Mai to Pattaya by flight
- Phuket to Pattaya by flight
- Koh Samui to Pattaya flight
- Hua Hin to Pattaya by bus and taxi
- Hat Yai to Pattaya by bus or flight
- Koh Chang to Pattaya by minivan
- Koh Samet to Pattaya by minivan
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 prices.
Airport Pattaya Bus
Tickets cost approximately 150 baht per person.
Departure times from Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya are every hour, from 07:00 to 20:00.
Departs from level 1, gate 8, arrival hall, and drops passengers off at Jomtien bus station in Pattaya.
For more information and current ticket prices, visit the website: https://airportpattayabus.com/
Bell Travel Bus to Pattaya
Tickets cost approximately 300 baht per person.
Departure times from Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya are 08:30, 10:30, 14:30, and 18:00.
Departs from level 1, gate 8, arrival hall, arrives at North Pattaya bus station, then passengers are shuttled to the final destination (home or hotel) by minibus.
Please check the Bell Travel website for updates: https://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 the easiest and quickest way to get to Pattaya from Suvarnabhumi airport.
Finding your pre-booked taxi at Suvarnabhumi is very easy. Your taxi driver will give you instructions, and you will (usually) meet your driver at the meeting point at gate (meeting point) 3.
HOW TO GET TO PATTAYA FROM DON MUEANG BANGKOK AIRPORT
There is no bus service direct to Pattaya from Don Mueang airport.
The best option to go by bus to Pattaya is to use the free shuttle bus from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi, then take either the Airport Bus or the Bell Travel bus from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya.
The free shuttle service departs from the 1st floor at Don Mueang every hour from 05:00 to 10:00, then about every 30 minutes to 1 hour until 24:00.
Alternatively, You could take the A1 bus from Don Mueang to Morchit bus terminal.
The A1 bus departs from gate 6 on the first floor of Don Mueang every 10 to 20 minutes from around 06:30 until 24:00 and costs 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 then take a bus to Pattaya. See details for Morchit bus terminal below.
Going by private or a meter taxi to Pattaya from Don Mueang costs 1,600 to 1,800 baht.
HOW TO GET TO PATTAYA FROM BANGKOK CITY BY BUS
Roong Reuang Coach company provides frequent bus services to North Pattaya Bus Station from 3 bus stations (terminals) in Bangkok.
Ekamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal: buses depart every hour from 06:00 to 21:00, and tickets cost 131 baht.
Morchit (Northern) Bus Terminal: buses depart at 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00. Tickets cost 131 baht.
Bang Na Bus Stop: buses depart every hour from 06:30 to 21:30. Tickets cost 131 baht.
You can check the current schedules of all Roong Reuang Bangkok to Pattaya bus routes on the Roong Reuang Coach website: https://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 has 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 that 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 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 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
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.