Pattaya is Thailand’s premier tourist destination, but its airport cannot accommodate a high volume of flights. That’s why most travelers depart from Bangkok. In this article, we address the question: ‘How do you get from Pattaya to Bangkok?’
We won’t cover the obvious method of a hotel transfer—no point devoting a whole paragraph to such a straightforward option.
Pattaya – Bangkok by Bus
Let’s begin with the simplest and cheapest form of transport: the bus. Traveling cheaply from Pattaya to Bangkok is possible thanks to the numerous bus services departing from Pattaya.
Buses from Pattaya to Bangkok leave from six different places in town, but we’ll focus on the most popular of these.
Northern Bus Terminal
For those traveling independently, the most expensive buses depart from the Northern Bus Terminal, located in the northern part of Pattaya. From here, buses head to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mo Chit, Ekkamai bus stations, and even Bangkok’s southern bus terminal. The fare is 150–200 baht, depending on the season.
On the map is the Northern Bus Terminal.
Operating schedule: 4:30 AM–11 PM
External view of the Northern Bus Terminal
Frequency: roughly once an hour (sometimes drivers delay departures).
Additionally, near this bus station is the stop for route #389, going to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Bus Route #389
The most popular bus route is #389, running from its final stop on Jomtien to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The bus station is located opposite the Pan-Pan Italian Restaurant (details on the map), near Thappraya Road. Aside from the Italian place, there’s also a food court next to the station.
Buses run every hour from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Besides the last stop, the bus makes four stops en route for boarding passengers, shown on the map.
The fare is 134 baht.
Important! It’s best to buy tickets in advance, as you might not get on at your desired time. Ideally, buy them a few hours or a day ahead. Also, be aware there may be lines.
Looks like the final #389 stop
Bus Station Near Central Festival
This is the best-known location among tourists, though that doesn’t mean top-notch service. That pompous name “bus station” actually refers to a single table labeled “Bangkok” (selling tickets), from this stop, the service may be less reliable—sometimes the driver might not be available, especially during off-peak hours.
Note that from this stop, you might end up not traveling anywhere if the driver isn’t in the mood (this could happen very late at night or very early in the morning, though not typically midday).
From here, you can head to the airport for 134 baht. Buses depart 6 AM–6 PM. The distance between Pattaya and Bangkok is 120 km, and by minibus that’s 2 hours (factor in traffic, it can take up to 3 hours).
Parking Lot Near the Pier
You can go to Bangkok by minibus from Pattaya’s main pier (where ferries are moored). Two ticket booths here sell minibus tickets. The price is quite reasonable—only 100 baht. But be aware it’s a bit chaotic, and you might not leave on time.
Even though minibus travel isn’t too bad, punctuality definitely isn’t its strong suit.
These vans depart one after another starting at 7 AM. It’s unspecified when they stop running, but after 6 PM it can be hard to get a ride.
You might also find the driver is simply unwilling to show up, so be prepared.
Stop Between 2nd and South Roads
A decent alternative to the pier’s bus stop is this station. It’s considered Pattaya’s cheapest station, with tickets at only 90 baht.
Only minibuses leave from here, every 15–20 minutes, starting at 6 AM and ending around 8 PM.
Tickets are sold at a table near the Fra Pattaya restaurant.
View of Fra Pattaya café
As with all bus terminals, chaos reigns—some anti-anxiety medication might help.
Travel time from this stop to Bangkok is about 1.5–2 hours.
How to Make the Trip Faster
Of course, a bus is not a car, and you’re essentially stuck with it, but here’s a small life hack that resourceful Thais use. To avoid getting caught in traffic jams, you can ask the driver to let you off near the expressway exit in the Udom Suk BTS area.
This trick can save you up to an hour if you plan to continue around Bangkok on the local metro system.
Taxi: Pattaya to Bangkok
How do you travel from Pattaya to Bangkok by yourself without public transport? Typically, this question comes from those who prefer individual car trips. Taxi isn’t cheap compared to buses or minibuses, but sometimes it’s worth the cost. In a car, you won’t be tied to bus schedules and can reach any point in Bangkok.
The distance from Pattaya to Thailand’s capital is 120 km, and drivers charge 1200–1800 baht per car. The closer you are to the central road, the higher the price. A minibus will cost around 2,000 baht.
A good option is to book a car on a certain date well in advance. You can do so in person at a kiosk or by phone, though you’ll need some English to talk to the operator. The phone numbers are +6681-205-30-44 or +6692-219-01-77 for the company pattaya-taxiservice.com. You can also ask them about tours, for an extra fee.
Keep in mind you should negotiate with the driver in advance and ideally write down the price in front of him. Also, there are tollways along the route, and you should clarify who pays those—“enterprising” taxi drivers may insist the tourist pays.
Pattaya-taxiservice offers several types of car:
- Standard sedan — 1,200 baht
- “Family” car — 1,400 baht
- Toyota Fortuner — 1,500 baht
These prices are for going to Suvarnabhumi Airport. For Don Mueang Airport, it’s 1,500; 1,700; 1,800 respectively. And you can always bargain.
Here are a few more taxi-booking services:
- belltravelservice.com
— not a traditional taxi but a standard minibus that picks you up at your home or hotel and takes you to the airport or any Bangkok bus station. This costs 250 baht. - pttaxiservice.com
— another car-booking site. More vehicle options here, hence a bigger price range (1,200–3,500 baht).
And perhaps the most common choice is the kiwitaxi.com service.
Train
You can also travel from Pattaya to Bangkok independently by train, not only by car. Here’s a straightforward guide to finding the railway station:
- First, get to the Pattaya Train Station or Pattaya Tai Station, using a taxi, tuk-tuk, or songthaew.
- Buy a ticket (31 baht / 40 baht / 75 baht) for one of the three comfort classes.
- Get on the train.
Trains leave Pattaya around 2 PM, but since it’s not the final station, check the local schedule. The trip is not short: about 4 hours. Arrival in Bangkok is around 6 PM, not the most convenient, but if you want a leisurely last look at Pattaya’s surroundings, the train might be worth it.
Central station in town
Pattaya Tai railway station
The train isn’t ultra-modern; there are no sleeping berths, only seats.
So, you have multiple methods to reach Thailand’s capital, but be sure to book transport or buy tickets in advance if you’re on a tight schedule. If not, go exploring—Thailand is fascinating for its mystique.
So, whether you’re on a tight schedule or ready to explore at your own pace, there’s a transport option for you. Enjoy your journey and the unique charm of Thailand!
