In recent years, independent tourism in Thailand has become more popular than package tours. Indeed, traveling independently is not only significantly cheaper, but in many respects offers richer experiences than a typical package tour. In this article, we’ll consider all available ways to get from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Bus
Let’s start with the simplest and cheapest method — taking the bus. Bangkok is Thailand’s capital, so its transportation infrastructure is pretty well developed. How do you get from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya by bus, and how much will it cost?
How to Get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
Suvarnabhumi is the name of Bangkok’s international airport, and getting from there to Thailand’s top tourist hot spot is not difficult.
Unlike a taxi, this trip will be relatively inexpensive for a traveler — just 120 baht, plus an extra 20 baht if you have additional baggage. The bus station is located at the airport on the first level (Level 1).
Bus #389 runs daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, every hour.
Finding Level 1 is easy:
- After going through customs, travelers exit on the second level (Level 2), and must then go down via elevator or escalator.
- Then, follow the signs to Gate 8, where you’ll find the bus stop.
The bus route is as follows:
- North Pattaya
- Central Pattaya
- South Pattaya
- Jomtien
The final stop is the Outlet Mall on Thepprasit Road. Note that the 9 and 10 PM services only go to the Pattaya Bus Station.
You can’t purchase a ticket for this route in advance—only on-site. Most importantly, once you buy your ticket, the driver will wait, because the driver will wait because the ticket agent notifies him each time a ticket is sold. Just don’t overdo it with your tardiness, but you’ll have about 15 minutes leeway.
If you don’t like relying on chance and prefer to book tickets in advance, you can use the Bell Travel Service bus company, which also departs from Gate 8. You can reserve and purchase tickets a few days ahead. The ticket prices are higher, but the advantage is a door-to-door service.
Passengers first travel to the Pattaya Bus Station, and then they’re taken by minivan to their hotel.
Reserve and purchase tickets on this site. After paying, you’ll receive an e-ticket via email, which you can use to board the bus.
Buses from this company depart every two hours daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Ekkamai Bus Station
Not everyone wants to head straight to a resort after arriving at the airport, so many wonder how to get from central Bangkok to Pattaya independently. Buses depart from a few different places. One of them is Ekkamai Bus Station, located closer to the eastern side of the city.
The schedule is as follows: buses run daily from 5 AM to 10 PM, every 30 minutes.
The fare is 100 baht, and you can buy your ticket on-site or order it on 12go.asia. Keep in mind that ordering online costs a bit more than buying in person.
The trip takes two hours, and the final stop is North Pattaya.
Moh Chit Bus Station
You can also get to Pattaya cheaply from northern Bangkok at the Mo Chit Bus Station. It’s a 15-minute walk from the Chatuchak Park or Kamphaeng Phet subway stations. You can also take a tuk-tuk or taxi.
This station operates the same way as the previous one, only the schedule differs. Buses leave daily from 5 AM to 7 PM, every 30 minutes.
The fare is 100 baht, and the travel time is 2 hours.
Bang Na Bus Station
If you’re staying in the southeastern part of the city, and wondering how to get from Bangkok to Pattaya by bus, you can use the Bang Na station, conveniently located nearby.
The ticket costs a bit more—108–110 baht. Otherwise, it’s roughly the same situation.
The schedule: buses run from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with a travel time of 2 hours.
Free Transfer from Victory Monument
For a while, Bangkok–Pattaya buses departed not only from bus stations but also from this monument, typically in the form of minivans, not large double-decker shuttles. For many tourists, that was more convenient. However, now all minivans depart only from the stations listed above. You can, however, reach any of those by a free shuttle.
These free routes from Victory Monument were introduced after an unauthorized station near it was shut down. Buses to the three bus stations depart at 20-minute intervals, so traveling shouldn’t be a problem.
Minivan
Another popular method of transportation is the minivan. It’s the Thai version of route taxis, with a local twist. The fare is about 300 baht, and the journey takes about 2 hours. There’s no exact schedule — they leave once they’ve filled with passengers (in high season, they can be jam-packed).
They depart from any of the aforementioned bus terminals. The last stop is the minivan station in South Pattaya, but you can ask the driver to stop wherever is convenient (if you can explain it to him in Thai).
The inconvenience is the potential clutter of the cabin with boxes or sacks that the driver loads and unloads along the way.
Taxi
For many years, Thailand has tried battling traffic jams, but the taxi remains the most comfortable transportation method. However, as everyone knows, comfort costs money.
The advantage of this option is that you don’t need to wait for a scheduled bus (you just get in and go). Plus, your vehicle takes you precisely where you need to go, unlike buses that follow a set route.
The downside is that cheap travel by car simply isn’t an option. The fare is around 1,500 baht.
If we consider the same distance (150 km) in Europe, it’s unlikely you’d find anyone willing to drive you that far for the same price.
Travel time by car is about 1.5 hours, not counting traffic.
If you book a car from an airport counter, you may pay up to 3,000 baht, depending on your final destination.
A good tip is to head to the fourth level after clearing customs and find a taxi that has just dropped off a passenger – the fare in that case is usually much lower.
Also remember there’s a tourist police in Pattaya, something you might casually mention to the driver so he won’t be tempted to overcharge you.
Moreover, if you hail a cab on the street, be sure to photograph the license plate and the car, just to avoid minor issues later. And do note the agreed price (in writing, if you can) so if the driver tries to charge you extra, you can show him the note.
By the way, be prepared to pay for two tollway sections (30 baht each).
Bangkok – Pattaya Transfer
You can also get to the resort via a transfer service. This is the best option for preserving your nerves. A Bangkok–Pattaya transfer means booking a car through a specialized site — kiwitaxi.com, or asking your receiving side (like your hotel) to arrange an airport meet-and-greet (hotel owners often agree to pick you up, sometimes at a discount).
Option for meeting
It’s best to pre-book a transfer and confirm it a few days before departure (if you’re dealing with a hotel’s transfer service).
Booking via a transfer service costs less than hiring an airport-counter taxi, at around 2,000 baht. If you’re traveling in a large group, it may make sense to order a minibus for about 2,500 baht (the cost per person would then be lower).
By Car from Bangkok to Pattaya
You can also drive yourself from Bangkok to Pattaya in a rental car. Renting a car in Thailand is fairly inexpensive, and the longer you rent, the lower the daily rate.
For example, renting for a single day costs around 1,100 baht, but for more than five days, it’s about 830 baht per day.
You can rent a car in advance from any well-known rental company, or at an airport or city counter.
To rent a vehicle, you’ll need your passport, an international driver’s permit, and to be at least 21 years old. Otherwise, your rental request may be declined.
If you rent a car in Bangkok and return it in Pattaya, you might face an additional fee (up to 2,000 baht). Then again, for a long-term rental, that fee may be waived.
Driving in Thailand is pleasant, thanks to the excellent road quality.
Important! Don’t leave your documents as collateral. Although it’s allowed in Thailand, you’re better off leaving only money as a deposit.
Train
If you prefer train travel and have a few hours to spare, you could attempt the Bangkok–Pattaya journey by train.
Keep in mind, it takes about four hours, but the scenic views from the window and cheap tickets may offset the inconvenience of a longer trip.
The schedule is rather inconvenient, since the train departs early in the morning (so for travelers who arrive in Thailand at night or evening, you’d have to spend the night in Bangkok or choose another transportation option).
The train leaves Bangkok’s main station, Hua Lamphong, at 6:30 AM and arrives at Pattaya’s Eastern Train Station at 11 AM.
Note, it’s not a final stop, so don’t miss your station.
Ticket prices:
- Third class — 31 baht (no air conditioning)
- Second class — 72 baht
- First class — 140 baht
From Don Mueang Airport
Aside from the main Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok also has Don Mueang Airport, and getting from there to Pattaya is trickier due to its location. But it’s not impossible.
Here’s what you do:
- Find Gate 6 (Exit 6).
- Look for Bus A1.
- This bus passes by the Mo Chit Bus Station, but many drivers skip that stop, make sure to inform the driver that you wish to disembark at Mo Chit Bus Station.
- Once you exit, follow the directions mentioned above.
The second, longer option is to transfer from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi, from which buses head to the resort.
And there you have it—getting from Thailand’s capital to one of its most popular tourist destinations on your own is not difficult, as long as you follow the tips above. Enjoy your trip and have a great vacation!
