How to get from Pattaya to Bangkok

Why visit Bangkok?

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!

Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren’t the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.

There are 4 ways to travel the 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Pattaya to Bangkok. You can choose between the bus, minivan, taxi and train. The journey takes 1 hour 25 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 170 THB ($5).

The bus is the most practical mode of transport when going from Pattaya to Bangkok. Buses take around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Departure stations

The main bus terminals for buses heading to Bangkok are:

• North Pattaya Bus Terminal
• Jomtien Bus Stop

Most buses depart from the North Pattaya Bus Terminal. This bus terminal is located along North Pattaya Road.

To reach the terminal, you can take a songthaew for 50 THB ($1.50) or take motorbike taxis that charge about 10 THB ($0.30) for short distances. A rule of thumb for longer distances is that 40 THB ($1.20) will be charged per kilometre.

Expect the journey to the bus terminal to take about 10 minutes from most hotels in Pattaya.

If you are coming from the Jomtien bus stop, you can travel directly to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Rong Reuang Coach Bus

Roong Reung Coach is a well-known bus company that operates along this route. They have several departures from both the North Pattaya Bus Terminal and Jomtien Bus Stop.

Buses depart every hour from 05:00 to 20:00 for the buses coming from North Pattaya Bus Terminal. If you are coming from the Jomtien bus stop going to Suvarnabhumi Airport, buses depart every 90 minutes from 7:30 to 16:00.

You can conveniently book online tickets on BookAway for competitive rates, an easy booking process, and excellent customer service.

See here the bus schedules from Pattaya to Bangkok:

You can travel from Pattaya to Bangkok by minivan. Minivans are smaller than buses and also leave many times a day.

Apart from the four minivan companies on the Pattaya to Bangkok route, there are also government-regulated vans that can take you from Pattaya to Bangkok. These vans are also parked in the Eastern Bus Terminal. The fare is 130 THB ($3.80) per person.

If you want to secure your minivan ticket earlier, you can also book via BookAway for 168 THB ($5).

Travelling from Pattaya to Bangkok can be done by train. Rates are much cheaper but the schedules are very limited. For that reason, we wouldn’t recommend this option.

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 #284 train at the railway station for as low as 30 THB ($0.90). Tickets for this ordinary train cannot be bought online.

It’s a cheap way to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok, but it will also take the longest time. With about 26 stops, it will take around 2 hours 30 minutes before you reach Pattaya.

Taking a taxi is quite convenient and comfortable as it brings you door to door.

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. Expect to pay a bit more, though, than when booking online.

You can also try your luck at hailing a taxi along the streets of Pattaya although most drivers will either decline or want to charge an extremely high rate, be prepared to negotiate.

Better yet, book online in advance to secure a flat rate. You can get a private car from Pattaya centre to Bangkok city for 1,553 THB ($46).