Bangkok to Pattaya- X5 Transport Options

Searching for hassle free ways to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?

Traveling from Bangkok to Pattaya is straightforward. Taxis and Private transfers with door to door service are a preferred option with many foreign tourists. Buses from Bangkok to Pattaya are an inexpensive option and equally convenient. There’s also a daily train traveling to Pattaya from Bangkok. If for some reason you want to fly, that’s also a rather impractical option because it will be slower and more expensive than taking a taxi.

Wether you take a taxi or a bus to Pattaya, the journey will take between 2 hours and 2.5 hours. Rail travel is often slower due to frequent stops. By air the actual flight may be faster, but when factoring in all the waiting times and getting to Bangkok airport, this will be far the slowest option.

A bench in Pattaya offering an amazing view. How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya

Bangkok to Pattaya Options

The distance between Bangkok and Pattaya is around 145km. Buses, taxis and private transfers generally take 2 hours to complete the journey. However, this can change due to traffic conditions. Weekends are also busier due to many locals traveling by private car or bus down to the sandy beaches of Pattaya.

A private transfer from Bangkok to Pattaya is the most convenient way to travel. A transfer in a comfortable air conditioned car will generally cost THB1600 ($50) for the 2 hour journey. View private transfers

If budget is a priority, there are regular bus departures to Pattaya from Ekkamai bus terminal in Bangkok. The journey is on board air conditioned buses with comfortable seats and tickets cost around THB180 ($6). View bus tickets

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Traveling from ⤵

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya? Read here

Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya? Read here

Private Transfer

the best way to get to Pattaya from Bangkok is via private transfer
A mid range private transfer vehicle from Bangkok to Pattaya

The easiest way to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya is by booking a private transfer. Your hotel reception can help arrange this, or you can visit one of the many travel agents located in popular tourist areas. Be sure to confirm the service provider and agree on a price in advance, as drivers may charge significantly more if this isn’t settled beforehand.

Alternatively, consider booking your transfer online. This allows you to see the price upfront and read reviews from previous customers for peace of mind.

A private transfer typically costs between ฿1,400 ($40) and ฿1,800 ($50), which is reasonable given the journey takes at least 2 hours each way, with the driver making the return trip empty. View private transfers

Bangkok to Pattaya Taxi

Taxis in Bangkok come in all colors. Going to Pattaya from Bangkok
Taxis in Bangkok come in all colors

Similar to a private transfer, taking a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya is equally convenient. If you’re staying in a busy area where taxis frequently pass by, you can just wave down a driver. Or ask at your hotel to call one of their entrusted drivers.

While taxis in Bangkok are regulated and utilizing the meter is mandatory, most drivers often refuse taking long-distance trips at the metered rate. This is because accepting such rides and being compensated based on the metered price would mean receiving payment for only a one way journey. As a result, drivers prefer negotiating a fixed fare for the entire round trip to ensure fair compensation for both the outbound and return journey. This fixed rate should be at most equal to that of a transfer. If not, try negotiating a fair price for both.

READ MORE DETAILS HERE

Car Rental

If you’re landing in Bangkok airport you may want to consider renting a car. Car rentals are a popular option especially with families or when groups are splitting the cost. The journey from Bangkok to Pattaya is a straightforward journey along highway 3 or highway 7 which don’t generally have much traffic, except for weekends and holidays.

Around the Jomtien area in Pattaya isn’t half as chaotic as around the walking street area in Pattaya. This makes car rental an easy and convenient option.

Buses and Minivans

Bangkok to Pattaya Bus. A big blue coach parked in a bus terminal
The Bangkok to Pattaya bus

Buses and minivans are a convenient and affordable transportation option between Bangkok and Pattaya. Mochit Bus terminal and Ekkamai Bus terminal have the most frequent departures. The journey will terminate at Pattaya North bus terminal which is close to central Pattaya. Taxis, tuk-tuks and Baht buses (Songtaews) will be waiting outside and taking passengers to their hotel.

Buses are comfortable, have air condition and a storage compartment for luggage. And have a frequent schedule with bus departures every hour and more frequent during the busy times of day. Minivans are also an option at both of these bus stations. However, after using minivans in Thailand a few times, I would suggest getting the bus if you find any seats available. Minivans are already tight as they are, and when loaded with all the passengers and their luggage it will be an unbearable 2 hour ride. Book a book ticket here.

Timetable

Bus Bangkok - Pattaya $ 5.10 2h 30m
  •   Express 05:00, 06:00, 06:30, 08:00, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00
Bus Suvarnabhumi Airport - Pattaya $ 6.15–14.33 2h
  •   Express 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00
  •   VIP 24 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:00

If you’re taking the bus, make sure to have something warm. Buses tend to have the A/C set on freeze mode. Literally, it can get freezing inside especially on a 2 hour ride after the sun goes down or before it comes up.

READ MORE DETAILS HERE

Train

A train sitting at the station in Hua Lamphong Bangkok
The train at Hua Lamphong Station

Train travel isn’t the most convenient option to get from Bangkok to Pattaya but it is the most affordable. The Bangkok-Pattaya commuter train has class 3 carriages with ceiling fans and open windows. A train ticket from Bangkok to Pattaya costs ฿35 ($1). The daily commuter train departs Hua Lamphong train station at 6:55am and is scheduled to arrive in Pattaya at 10:00am. However delays are very common as the train is slow and stops in every station along the way. Tickets for this train must be bought on the day of travel from the booth at Hua Lamphong.

Another option is to take the weekend train which operates on Saturdays and Sundays. The train departs Hua Lamphong at 6:45. It’s a class 2 carriage so you’ll have the comfort of an aircondition.

READ MORE DETAILS HERE

Getting to Pattaya From Suvarnabhumi Airport

Taxis waiting outside Suvarnabhumi international airport
Taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport

If you’re landing in Suvarnabhumi Airport and want to go directly to Pattaya, there are a few convenient ways to do this. The easiest options are to take a taxi or book a private transfer at the airport. If you want to avoid the hassle at the airport, then consider booking a private transfer in advance online. This way a driver will be waiting for you and you’ll be on your way to Pattaya the moment you walk out of arrivals.

You may also consider taking the inexpensive bus if you’re arriving in Suvarnabhumi during the day. Air conditioned buses leave every hour between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm and are scheduled to complete the journey in 2 hours. A bus ticket from Bangkok to Pattaya costs ฿200 ($6). Read more details here.

From Don Mueang there aren’t any direct buses. But you can take a 20 minute taxi to Mochit and take the bus from there. Read more details here.

Flight

I’m not entirely sure why there are flights from Bangkok airport to Pattaya. But if for some reason you want to spend more time traveling by air than you would via a cheaper transfer, or a much cheaper bus, then you can fly to Pattaya. A flight will cost quite a lot compared to the other options. It will also take longer too when factoring in waiting time and the 2 hour pre flight check in time. Also keep in mind travel time to the airport.

Key Points

Whichever option you decide to go with to get to Pattaya from Bangkok, they are all straightforward and you should be in Pattaya in around 2 hours or 2.5 hours.

If you have the time to read further, below you’ll find useful information about Pattaya including a few recommendations for areas to stay, Pattaya weather information, a few suggestions for things to do, and details about how to get back to Bangkok from Pattaya.

“If I missed anything, leave a comment in the section below”

Things to do in Pattaya

Beside the beaches, nightlife, resorts and loads of entertainment, there’s quite a few things to do in and around Pattaya.

An aerial view of catamarans in tropical waters

Here are a few ideas for things to do in Pattaya. You can do these by yourself or book a tour. Either-way, it will be an amazing experience.

Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary interactive experience.

Visit Koh Pai, Koh Rin, and Koh Ped islands by Catamaran

Visit the Sanctuary of Truth

Go to a Cabaret show

Weather in Pattaya

Like the majority of Thailand, there are 2 types of weather in Pattaya. Either hot and sunny (dry season) or hot and rainy (well, the rainy season).

November to February is the dry season. This is when temperatures are moderate and range between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Due to favorable weather, this period is also the most popular. So you expect more tourists and also higher accommodation prices as there is more demand.

March to May is the hot season. In Pattaya you can expect higher temperatures and increasing humidity, with daytime highs often reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or more.

June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Known for monsoons and frequent rainfall, often in the form of short, heavy showers. Despite the rain, daytime temperatures remain warm, fluctuating between 25 and 32 degrees Celsius (77 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit).

September and October are generally the wettest months during this period. While the dry season is favored for its comfortable weather, Pattaya’s lush greenery during the wetter months has its own allure, making it a year-round destination for travelers.

Conclusion

That’s it from here. I hope this article helps you plan your journey from Bangkok to Pattaya by taxi. Also, if you have any questions just drop a message below. Comments are answered within a few hours.

You may also like these other trips from Bangkok

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HEY, just so you know…

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