Bangkok to Pattaya

Pattaya is a beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 150 km south-east of Bangkok. Many trips — especially packages from India — combine the two. This page covers how to get there, how long to give it and whether it's worth it. It doesn't cover Pattaya in depth: TodoBangkok is a Bangkok guide.

The short version

Journey times depend heavily on traffic, especially leaving Bangkok on Friday evenings and returning on Sunday afternoons.

By bus from Bangkok

• Ekkamai (Eastern Bus Terminal), beside BTS Ekkamai, is the easiest departure point for most visitors. Frequent buses run to Pattaya's main bus station on North Pattaya Road, from where songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) and taxis go to hotels.
• Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal) also has Pattaya services, useful if you're staying in the north of the city.
• Tickets: buy at the terminal counter or online through the operator or a booking platform. At busy times — weekends and Thai holidays — book ahead or arrive early, as queues at Ekkamai can be long.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport

Several operators run buses from Suvarnabhumi direct to Pattaya and Jomtien several times a day, which avoids going into central Bangkok first. Timetables and operators change, so check the airport's transport counters or a current booking listing before you land. See Bangkok airport to city for the airport layout.

By private car or taxi

The simplest option with luggage, children or older relatives. Book through a ride-hailing app, your hotel or a transfer company, and agree the price — including tolls — in advance. Prices vary with the vehicle size and the time of day.

By train

A slow train runs between Bangkok and Pattaya, but services are infrequent and the timetable changes. Check the State Railway of Thailand before planning around it. For most visitors the bus is faster and more flexible.

How to combine Bangkok and Pattaya

• Do Bangkok first. Arrive tired, do the city while you have energy, then end the trip at the beach — or use the airport bus to go straight to Pattaya and finish in Bangkok, close to your return flight.
• Give Bangkok at least three full days. See the 3-day itinerary.
• Two or three nights in Pattaya is typical for a beach break; a day trip is possible but means four to six hours on the road.
• Leave margin before your flight. Traffic from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi can be slow; don't plan to arrive at the airport with little time to spare.

Is Pattaya right for you?

Pattaya is a large, developed resort city, known for its nightlife as well as its beaches, water sports and family attractions. Its city beaches are busy; many visitors take boats to nearby Koh Larn for clearer water.

If you want a quieter beach within reach of Bangkok, other resorts on the Gulf coast are worth comparing before you book. If what you really want from a day out of Bangkok is history or culture, Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi are better choices; see all day trips from Bangkok.

• Best Day Trips From BangkokA day trip costs you a whole day of a Bangkok trip, so it needs to earn it. Ayutthaya does. Some of the others are better as half-days or not at all.
• Bangkok Airport to the CityYour first hour in Bangkok sets the tone. Here is every way into the city from both airports, and a simple way to choose between them.