pattaya jomtien beach — *After spending days amongst towering skyscrapers, who could resist the sandy beaches of Pattaya?*

Ahh Pattaya, a city situated along the gorgeous Gulf of Thailand, full of sun-kissed beaches, delectable seafood, and of course the never-ending vices of the infamous Pattaya Walking Street. Pattaya is a great weekend getaway for locals and a very popular tourist city in Thailand. Getting from Pattaya to Bangkok is actually quite easy due to the numerous transportation options and services available.

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Traveling to Pattaya from Bangkok

Pattaya City is located down south about 150km away from the Bangkok city center, Making the city a very popular weekend getaway and tourist destination for many of us locals. Due to it’s popularity, it’s very easy to travel to Pattaya from Bangkok.

The journey will take you roughly 2-4 hours depending on your mode of transportation. Below are a few of the modes of transport that are available to you:

By Bus or Minivan

bangkok to pattaya minivan bus — *Minivans to Pattaya at the Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok*

My primary recommendation will always be taking the public buses or minivans. It’s the most comfortable method of transportation to get to Pattaya from Bangkok. The buses and vans are all air conditioned and the service is great. The price is also affordable with some tickets ranging from 120 - 150 THB depending on the bus operator.

I recommend pre-booking a ticket for Pattaya here to make traveling a little easier and hassle free. Sometimes the ticket sellers over-sell and get the seating arrangements mixed up.

Depending on the ticket your transport will leave from either Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mo Chit’s New Bus Terminal, Khao San Road, or Ekkamai Bus Terminal. So be sure to check double check where your embarkation point is.

I recommend choosing the Ekkamai Bus Terminal as it is easier to reach as it is directly under the Ekkamai BTS Station and in central Bangkok.

The journey from Bangkok to Pattaya by bus takes 2-3.5 hours depending on traffic, but I would still recommend this option for people without personal cars.

By Special Rapid No. 997/998 Tourist Train

rapid 997 998 train to pattaya — *A special train for a very special tourist destination*

The special tourist train, the Rapid 997/998 from Bangkok to Pattaya to Sattahip is a train meant for transportation only on this route.

I haven’t been on this train personally, but there was a huge buzz around this particular train when it was first operating back in 2018, for it’s ability to provide reliable transport to Pattaya from Bangkok. Tickets cost 170 THB, and reservations are recommended, of which you can book at the Official Thai Railway website.

The carriages are all air conditioned and the train leaves everyday from Bangkok Train Station (Hua Lamphon Station) at 6:45AM and arrives at Pattaya Station at around 9:15AM, so the journey takes about 2.5 hours.

Though I don’t really recommend traveling by train as it is a bit cumbersome, especially if you have a lot of luggage, but if you enjoy a chill scenic ride, and don’t mind the slight uncomfortable-ness, then the train from Bangkok to Pattaya is a nice option.

By Personal or Rental Car

klook private charter to pattaya — *Services like Klook offer private charter transports directly to Pattaya*

Having your own personal car is the best option for most people as it allows you to freely stop at any points of interests along the road.

The journey will take you just under 2 hours if you drive straight to Pattaya without stopping. And cost can be free assuming you don’t have to pay for any gas.

If you don’t have a car, you can find rental cars at various dealers around Bangkok for about 700 THB per day or you can pre book a rental car here at a very competitive price.

By Taxi or Ride Hailing Services

bangkok traffic — *The price on the Taxi meter can vary depending on the traffic, expect it to be expensive*

This is just my opinion but, do not take a taxi or any personal ride service like Grab, it’s expensive and quite frankly not a very good use of money. Although it is quite comfortable and it’s like having your own private driver, the price can range from 1,500 to 2,500++ THB.

If you must, you can find a services that provide private Taxis here. The journey from Bangkok to Pattaya via Taxi can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic. If you are taking a public Taxi, MAKE SURE THE DRIVER USES THE METER!

But, I think it would be wise to save some of that transportation money on splurging in Pattaya ;)

By Airplane

Unless you got a private jet or helicopter (I wish I had a private helicopter ), you can get on a flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to U-Tapao Rayong Airport, you’ll then need to take a car or taxi to Pattaya City center which is about 40km away (40 min ride).

Though you won’t arrive exactly in Pattaya I think this is a great option for those who want to spend a day or two exploring the nearby beach town of Rayong to eat through the city’s night market or snorkel around the islands of Koh Samet.

Rayong and Pattaya perfectly complement each other as a weekend beach getaway for many of us locals.

If you are looking for flights from Bangkok to Pattaya you can check out the widget below

Looking for Things to Do in Pattaya?

Koh Samet Guide - Enjoy a weekend getaway at this little paradise off the coast of Rayong
Colosseum Show - Spectacular acts and costumes by ladyboy performers
The Sanctuary of Truth - Explore Thailand’s famous ornate wooden temple
Discounted Tickets - Browse a variety of attractions, tours, and transports all for a great price

Recommended Hotels in Pattaya

Centara Life Maris Resort Jomtien - Luxury hotel near Jomtien beach, features a great pool and game rooms for kids, perfect resort for families
Hotel J Pattaya - Affordable contemporary hotel with sleek and comfortable rooms, includes a breakfast buffet, and a 2 pools.
Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya - A fun 5-star space themed hotel with spas, a breakfast buffet, 2 restaurants, a tea room and an open-air bar, as well as a water park, and a rooftop pool.

Useful Resources for Traveling in Thailand

Tourism Information - All the information you need when traveling in Thailand
4G/5G SIM Card - 8 days, 15GB, Important for staying connected while in Thailand
Private Airport Transfers - Transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city without worry
Best Bangkok Hostels - A list of the best hostels to stay for cheap and meet new friends