Getting to Pattaya
From Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Finding transportation to Pattaya is very easy at the airport. There are a few ways to get there and all depends on how much you want to spend. Signs and directions are in English and clearly visible for getting you to whichever transportation mode you choose. It's a good idea to politely decline the offers from an army of touts waiting and standing near the arrival hall. Their transportation services are genuine but they will quote you overpriced rates and should only be used if money is not an issue to you. One of the great things about Thailand is you can spend less and still get more.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Taxi from BKK Airport:
Make your way to the taxi counter on level 1, the ground level near entrances 3,4, 7 and 8. State your destination to the staff behind the desk. Getting to Pattaya by taxi will usually cost you a flat rate of B1,300. Taxis can hold four passengers (ideally 3 for comfort) because the taxis are usually a small 4 door Toyota. However you're going to have a hard time fitting all the luggage in the back of the trunk especially when traveling with more than 3 people. Though I have been seeing more SUVs style taxis which should make a more comfortable trip. Travel time is 1 hour and a half.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Bus from BKK Airport:
There is a direct air conditioned bus to Pattaya that runs daily. Here's the schedule: 08.00, 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00, and 19.00 hrs. Take the airport's free express shuttle bus to the Airport Transportation Center. You'll easily find the ticket office. Take the air-conditioned bus No. 389 to South Pattaya, or bus No. 905 to Pattaya North. These buses only stop at the Pattaya bus terminals only. You'll have to arrange your own transportation to where ever you're staying at in Pattaya. Bus fare only cost B106, a real bargain.
You can check out www.pattayabus.com/en/ for more service information.
Bell Travel Service Bus to Pattaya from BKK Airport:
Here's a private bus service worth looking into. Bell Travel will take you to their office in Pattaya where their mini buses waiting to take you to your hotel, assuming the place you're staying in is on their route. They charge B200 and is well worth it.
You should make a reservation at www.belltravelservice.com to ensure yourself a seat as well as check if their mini buses will drop you off at your hotel.
If you haven't booked ahead of time you can make your way down to level 1 near entrance 7. They have a representative available there who can add your name to the list. Here is the scheduled departure from airport: 08.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, 18.00hrs.
There are other private bus services available but Bell Travel is the cheapest.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Taxi from BKK Airport:
Make your way to the taxi counter on level 1, the ground level near entrances 3,4, 7 and 8. State your destination to the staff behind the desk. Getting to Pattaya by taxi will usually cost you a flat rate of B1,300. Taxis can hold four passengers (ideally 3 for comfort) because the taxis are usually a small 4 door Toyota. However you're going to have a hard time fitting all the luggage in the back of the trunk especially when traveling with more than 3 people. Though I have been seeing more SUVs style taxis which should make a more comfortable trip. Travel time is 1 hour and a half.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Bus from BKK Airport:
There is a direct air conditioned bus to Pattaya that runs daily. Here's the schedule: 08.00, 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00, and 19.00 hrs. Take the airport's free express shuttle bus to the Airport Transportation Center. You'll easily find the ticket office. Take the air-conditioned bus No. 389 to South Pattaya, or bus No. 905 to Pattaya North. These buses only stop at the Pattaya bus terminals only. You'll have to arrange your own transportation to where ever you're staying at in Pattaya. Bus fare only cost B106, a real bargain.
You can check out www.pattayabus.com/en/ for more service information.
Bell Travel Service Bus to Pattaya from BKK Airport:
Here's a private bus service worth looking into. Bell Travel will take you to their office in Pattaya where their mini buses waiting to take you to your hotel, assuming the place you're staying in is on their route. They charge B200 and is well worth it.
You should make a reservation at www.belltravelservice.com to ensure yourself a seat as well as check if their mini buses will drop you off at your hotel.
If you haven't booked ahead of time you can make your way down to level 1 near entrance 7. They have a representative available there who can add your name to the list. Here is the scheduled departure from airport: 08.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, 18.00hrs.
There are other private bus services available but Bell Travel is the cheapest.
From Bangkok City to Pattaya
Most visitors to Bangkok will eventually make their way to Pattaya's red light districts. Especially because Pattaya has cheaper good quality hotels, cheaper food and of course Pattaya has cheaper adult entertainment. There's definitely much more to see and do at Pattaya even though the beach scene isn't as scenic or clean as Phuket. But there's certainly something for everyone.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Bus from Bangkok:
The most common way to get to Pattaya from Bangkok is by taking an air conditioned bus at the Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit road Soi 63 which is near the Ekkamai BTS station. Buses are plenty but it's best to leave early if you want more room. Buses depart every 30 - 40 minutes starting from 05.00 to 23.0hrs. everyday and cost B113.
There are 2 other public bus stations:
Northern Bus Terminal at Mochit with offers bus services between 04.30 to 22.00hrs. Buses leave every 30 - 40 minutes. Since traffic getting to the bus terminal can be quite bad it's best to take the trains to MRT Chatuchak Park or BTS Mo Chit station. From there you can take a taxi or if you're packing light make a 15 minute walk to the bus terminal. Bus fares here cost B113.
Southern Bus Terminal near Khao San road has scheduled services running from 05.30 to 19.30hrs. Buses leave every 30 - 40 minutes. Bus fares here cost B113. This bus terminal is harder to reach especially if you're staying in a hotel near the commercial districts of Bangkok.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Taxi from Bangkok:
You can also take a taxi of course from Bangkok, it's more expensive but considerably affordable compared to the West. Technically the flate rate is B1,500 not including highway tolls which really isn't that much extra. You may come across drivers asking for B2,000. It's up to you if you agree or not or you can try and negotiate a price. Most of the time it works in your favor because there are so many taxis available in Bangkok. Travel time should be about 2 hours from Bangkok by taxi.
Bell Travel Service in Bangkok to Pattaya:
Again I recommend Bell Travel. For B350 their service includes pick up at your hotel and drop off service at Pattaya, assuming again the places you're staying at are on their service route. You can also go to their local Bangkok office at Bangna Trad Road km.1 (Near Central Bangna Shopping Mall and opposite BITEC). Buses depart at 09.30, 13.30 and 17.30hrs. Since buses are fewer it's wiser to make advanced reservations. Since Bangkok's traffic is nightmarish expect a longer than usual trip to Pattaya, about 3 hrs. You can make reservations and find information at www.belltravelservice.com.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Bus from Bangkok:
The most common way to get to Pattaya from Bangkok is by taking an air conditioned bus at the Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit road Soi 63 which is near the Ekkamai BTS station. Buses are plenty but it's best to leave early if you want more room. Buses depart every 30 - 40 minutes starting from 05.00 to 23.0hrs. everyday and cost B113.
There are 2 other public bus stations:
Northern Bus Terminal at Mochit with offers bus services between 04.30 to 22.00hrs. Buses leave every 30 - 40 minutes. Since traffic getting to the bus terminal can be quite bad it's best to take the trains to MRT Chatuchak Park or BTS Mo Chit station. From there you can take a taxi or if you're packing light make a 15 minute walk to the bus terminal. Bus fares here cost B113.
Southern Bus Terminal near Khao San road has scheduled services running from 05.30 to 19.30hrs. Buses leave every 30 - 40 minutes. Bus fares here cost B113. This bus terminal is harder to reach especially if you're staying in a hotel near the commercial districts of Bangkok.
Getting to Pattaya by Public Taxi from Bangkok:
You can also take a taxi of course from Bangkok, it's more expensive but considerably affordable compared to the West. Technically the flate rate is B1,500 not including highway tolls which really isn't that much extra. You may come across drivers asking for B2,000. It's up to you if you agree or not or you can try and negotiate a price. Most of the time it works in your favor because there are so many taxis available in Bangkok. Travel time should be about 2 hours from Bangkok by taxi.
Bell Travel Service in Bangkok to Pattaya:
Again I recommend Bell Travel. For B350 their service includes pick up at your hotel and drop off service at Pattaya, assuming again the places you're staying at are on their service route. You can also go to their local Bangkok office at Bangna Trad Road km.1 (Near Central Bangna Shopping Mall and opposite BITEC). Buses depart at 09.30, 13.30 and 17.30hrs. Since buses are fewer it's wiser to make advanced reservations. Since Bangkok's traffic is nightmarish expect a longer than usual trip to Pattaya, about 3 hrs. You can make reservations and find information at www.belltravelservice.com.