What to expect when visiting Pattaya
Pattaya is the closest well-known beach destination to Bangkok. Far from your traditional Thai city, this one is tailored for tourists — not exactly a backpacker’s choice, but a favoured spot by families travelling with kids.
Every other travel guide to Pattaya will tell you there’s so much you can do in this vibrant city. They’re not exaggerating. White sand beaches, waterparks, watersports, botanical gardens, a floating market, live shows, and a vibrant nightlife — Pattaya has it all.
4 ways to get from Bangkok to Pattaya
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Bangkok to Pattaya by bus (2 to 4 hours), minivan (2 hours 25 minutes to 4 hours), Taxi (1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours) and train (2 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 30 minutes to 4 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 31 THB ($0.90) for the train.Where to stay in Pattaya?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Pattaya at the bottom of this page.
Bangkok to Pattaya by Train
Although the bus is a more popular option to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya, you can also reach this beach destination by train.
The downside of the train is that the schedules are very limited.
The ordinary train (weekdays)
The only train that operates during the week is the ordinary non-airconditioned train (3rd class), which is ventilated by fans.
Tickets are super cheap, though. You can buy the tickets for the #283 train at the railway station for as low as 31 THB ($0.90). Tickets cannot be bought online.
It’s a cheap way to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya, but it will also take the longest time. With about 26 stops, it will take around 2 hours 30 minutes before you reach Pattaya.
The rapid train (weekends)
During weekends, the ordinary train for this route doesn’t operate. But there is good news.
Instead of the slow #283 train, there is the #997 rapid train which has air conditioning and only takes about 2.5 hours from Bangkok to Pattaya.
You can book train tickets for the rapid train on State Railway of Thailand website, but we recommend booking on Baolau. Baolau’s website is easier to navigate through and also accepts international credit cards. Train tickets are priced 170 THB ($5.10) on both websites.
Train Schedule from Bangkok to Pattaya
Departure and arrival stations
Both trains depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station, about 5 kms from the Bangkok city centre.
You will get off at Pattaya Railway Station. This station is located 3 kms east of Central Pattaya.
Bangkok to Pattaya by Bus
The most practical mode of transport when going from Bangkok to Pattaya is by bus. Buses take about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic.
Departure stations
The main bus terminals for buses heading to Pattaya are:
- Eastern Bus Terminal Ekkamai
- Bangkok Bus Terminal Chatuchak – Mochit (North of Bangkok)
If you will take a taxi from your hotel to the bus terminal, it’s best to depart from Mochit, which is closest to Bangkok centre. The taxi drive to Mochit takes about 20-30 minutes while the drive to the Eastern Bus Terminal will take double the amount of time.
On the other hand, if you want to travel by public transport, go to the Eastern Bus Terminal. Ekkamai is conveniently connected with the Bangkok BTS metro line. Mochit Bus Terminal is only accessible by bus.
Buses from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Apart from these two bus terminals, you can also depart straight from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya. This is a very convenient option as you don’t need to worry about the busy traffic in Bangkok.
The buses are leaving from the first floor at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Exit door No. 8.
Bus companies operating on the route between Bangkok to Pattaya
Roong Reung Coach is the most popular bus company operating along this route. They have many departures from both the Eastern and Mochit bus terminals in Bangkok.
From the Eastern Bus Terminal, Roong Reung buses depart every hour between 06:00 and 21:00. From Bangkok Bus Terminal, their buses depart every two hours between 09:00 to 16:00.
Booking your ticket online costs about 163 THB ($4.90). An advantage of booking online is that you don’t need to wait in a long queue at the bus terminal. Thereby, you will be assured of a bus ticket at your desired departure time.
Tickets are available on BookAway, which offers competitive rates, an easy booking process, and excellent customer service.
Bus schedule from Bangkok to Pattaya
Arrival station
All buses coming from Eastern Bus Terminal and Bangkok Bus Terminal arrive at the North Pattaya Bus Station.
The bus from the airport bus stops only a few minutes walk from Jomtien beach.
You can take a songthaew or a motorbike taxi from the terminal to your hotel. Taking the songthaew costs around 50 THB ($1.50), while the motorbike taxis charge starts about 10 THB ($0.30) for very short distances.
For longer distances, a rule of thumb is to use a km price of 40 THB ($1.20) for the motorbike taxi’s around Pattaya.
Bangkok to Pattaya by Minivan
Similar to the bus, you can also travel from Bangkok to Pattaya by minivan. Minivans are smaller than buses and also leave many times a day.
However, we don’t see a real advantage in taking the minivan instead of the bus. Vans have less luggage space and also provide less space than a bus.
There are also government-regulated vans that can take you from Bangkok to Pattaya. These vans are also parked in the Eastern Bus Terminal. The fare is 130 THB ($3.90) per person.
If you want to secure your van ticket earlier, you can also book via BookAway for 163 THB ($4.90).
Minivan schedule from Bangkok to Pattaya
Arrival stations in Pattaya
The minivans of Pannipa Pattaya Tour arrive at the Pannipa office, about 2 kms from Pattaya beach.
T Tour minivans arrive at the Pattaya T tour Station, which is closer to Pattaya Beach.
Bangkok to Pattaya by Taxi
Taking a taxi is by far the most convenient way to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya. As the taxi brings you door to door, you don’t need to worry about getting to/from the bus terminals or railway stations.
The cost of hiring a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya normally starts at 1,350 THB ($41) – 2,500 THB ($75). You can ask your hotel if they offer a taxi service for this route, they should be able to book this in advance for you.
You can try your luck at hailing a taxi along the streets of Bangkok although most drivers will either decline or want to charge an extremely high rate, be prepared to negotiate.
Therefore we recommend booking your taxi online in advance. This way you can book with a trustworthy taxi company that can bring you safely and cheaply to Pattaya.
You can book a private car with a driver from Bangkok city centre to Pattaya already for 1,712 THB ($52).
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya by Taxi
Want to travel straight from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya? That’s even easier as you won’t need to travel through Bangkok’s busy city centre.
Taxis hired from the airport charge an average rate of 1,500 THB ($45). This price includes an airport surcharge of 50 THB ($1.50) and highway toll fees.
In other words, it’s an all-in fare which brings you straight from the airport to Pattaya for approximately 1,500 THB ($45). Make sure to verify this with the driver to avoid surprises afterwards.
Even better, book your taxi in advance for an extra low rate, starting from 1,509 THB ($45) on BookAway.
Once your flight has landed and you picked up your baggage, the driver will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name on it.
Private Transport options from Bangkok to Pattaya
Best places to stay in Pattaya
There are over a thousand accommodations to choose from in Pattaya. That’s a lot! What there isn’t a lot of is budget options. Many of the hotels tend to start at around $50 per night, soaring way into hundreds of dollars. If you have the cash to splash, Pattaya has some incredible luxurious and unique accommodations. On a bit more of a budget?
We’ve got accommodation recommendations for all budgets:
Butterfly Garden Boutique Residence - Budget Friendly
Finding budget-friendly accommodation in Pattaya isn’t the easiest task, but Butterfly Garden Boutique Residence is a great find. The apartments are huge, coming with a kitchen, spa bath and a private balcony. It feels like a home from home.
The location is great, not too far from the Night Market and a 10-minute walk from the beach. There’s also a swimming pool if you need to cool down from Thailand’s scorching weather.
- Swimming pool
- Ideal location
- Huge apartments
- Great value for money
Apartments start from $29 per night.
Citismart Luxury Apartments - Mid Range
Staying at Citismart Luxury Apartments you don’t just get a standard room, you get a kitchen, a lot more space than most hotel rooms and a private balcony. The rooms vary in luxuriousness depending on the price, but even the cheapest one is comfortable and spacious.
You also get to use the apartment’s amenities which include a swimming pool and sundeck. Staying here puts you in a great location, 250m from the beach and a short drive to Central Pattaya.
- Swimming pool
- Large apartment
- Great location
- Sun deck
Apartments start from $54 per night.
Amethyst Hotel Pattaya - Treating Yourself
Situated 700m from Pattaya Beach, you can almost see it from Amethyst Hotel’s rooftop pool and terrace. Spectacular city views from an infinity pool, can life get much better? Maybe in their hot tub, it could.
The rest of the hotel is just as impressive with luxurious and spacious rooms you won’t want to leave. The onsite restaurant is delicious and there’s a gym to burn off all the food you’re eating.
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Spectacular views
- Luxurious rooms
- Onsite gym and restaurant
Private rooms start from $78 per night.
Grande Centre Point Space - Treating Yourself
This place really does feel like you’ve boarded a space ship and your next stop is space! Everything about Grande Centre Point Space feels modern and futuristic. We guarantee it will be like nowhere you’ve stayed before.
There are too many swimming pools to count — one with waterslides, a lazy river and even a rooftop pool. You’ll also find a gym, delicious restaurant, kids club, sauna and steam room. Plus the rooms are as incredible as the rest of the hotel.
- Unique design
- Lots of swimming pools
- Rooftop terrace
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $165 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bangkok to Pattaya
What is the distance from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The distance from Bangkok to Pattaya is 150 kilometers (93 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya is by taxi and takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya is by train with ticket costs starting from 31 THB ($0.90).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Bangkok to Pattaya. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
