Pattaya is the closest major beach resort city to Bangkok, making it very popular with tourists and residents of Bangkok. Wondering how to get from Bangkok to Pattaya? It is a very popular tourist route in Thailand that can be traveled by bus, van, train, taxi, private transfer, and even done as a day trip.
Bangkok to Pattaya Distance
Pattaya is a resort city in Eastern Thailand, only about 150 km southeast of Bangkok.
How to get to Pattaya from Bangkok
Detailed information about different ways to travel to Pattaya is provided below. To get to the resort city, you can use a bus, minivan, train, taxi, private transfer, or a day trip without staying overnight in 'Sin City'.
Bus from Bangkok to Pattaya
Buses depart from two of the main bus terminals in Bangkok - Ekkamai Bus Terminal and Mo Chit Bus Terminal. Previously, buses to Pattaya were also departing from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal and the Khao San Road area, but now these departure points provide only minivans to Pattaya.
Most of the buses to Pattaya are provided by Roong Reuang Coach. Buses of this company depart from both bus terminals in Bangkok. The journey from Ekkamai Bus Terminal or Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Pattaya takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Buses of this company bring passengers to their own bus terminal on North Pattaya Road.
Bangkok to Pattaya Bus Timetable
The bus from Ekkamai Bus Station to Pattaya departs 14 times a day, from 06:00 to 21:00.
The bus from Mochit Bus Terminal to Pattaya departs 11 times a day, with departures scheduled every 1-1.5 hours from 05:00 to 18:00.
Bus timetables from all bus terminals can be found here: Pattaya Bus Timetable.
Bus Tickets
Bus tickets can be booked online here -> Pattaya Bus Tickets <- or with the help of the below search form that also lets you compare different options for traveling to Pattaya.
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Bus
There is also a direct bus service connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport with Pattaya. If you are traveling on a tight budget and have no plans to stay in Bangkok before getting to the seaside city, taking this bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya is your best bet, as you don't need to transfer in Bangkok.
Buses from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya are offered by two companies that use different drop-off points in Pattaya. One company is dropping off travelers at Jomtien Bus Station, while the more expensive one is offering drop-off service at hotels in Pattaya.
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya bus tickets can be booked online here: BKK Airport to Pattaya Bus Tickets.
Starting from 8 March 2025, the governmental company 999 Bus also starts operating on the route, making its new bus from BKK Airport to Pattaya the most affordable option for getting to the resort city from the airport directly.
For detailed information on how to find bus counters at Suvarnabhumi Airport for taking the airport bus to Pattaya, check this article: Bangkok Airport Inter-city Buses.
Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya Bus
Offered by the governmental company Bus 999 from March 2025, the bus from Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya is a great choice if you arrive by flight to Bangkok's second airport (DMK) and want to transfer to Pattaya directly.
Minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya
Minivan to Pattaya is another popular means of transportation often used for traveling between the cities. Minivans to Pattaya depart from Ekkamai Bus Terminal, Mochit Van Terminal, and Khao San Road in Bangkok.
Minivans covering the route from Ekkamai Bus Station to Pattaya provide more frequent departures than buses. Minivans to Pattaya leave roughly every 15-30 minutes from 04:30 to 21:00. Even if minivan tickets cost more than bus tickets and might be a less safe form of travel, they have quite a big advantage compared to buses on this route, as Pattaya minivans terminate at Bali Hai Pier or Jomtien Beach, which are in much more convenient locations for travelers than the bus station in northern Pattaya.
Minivans from Mochit Van Terminal to Pattaya are less frequent, but there are still plenty of departures from 07:00 to 19:00. Some minibuses also depart from the nearby Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
There are only several daily minivan departures from Khao San Road to Pattaya, but if you are staying at one of the hotels near Khao San Road, taking a minivan directly from there can save you lots of time.
Minivan tickets can be booked online here: Bangkok to Pattaya Minivan Tickets.
Private Transfer to Pattaya
The fastest and easiest way to travel between the cities is a private transfer to Pattaya. This kind of transportation lets you skip the queues at the airport taxi stand and avoid the inconvenience of navigating public transit with heavy bags. Instead, you can travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle straight to your desired destination. Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a professional driver who will help you with your luggage. This service includes expressway fees and insurance and is prepaid, guaranteeing that you won't be overcharged by a dishonest driver.
When booking a private transfer, you can choose the pickup location from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, or a hotel in Bangkok Downtown. Several types of vehicles are offered so you can choose the most suitable type of vehicle for your group's needs. Pre-booked private transfer is especially important if you are traveling in a larger group.
Private transfer can be booked online here: Private Transfer Bangkok - Pattaya.
Cheaper private transfer to Pattaya from different locations in Bangkok can be booked here: Bangkok to/from Pattaya Transfer.
Pickup locations in Bangkok for this transfer to Pattaya:
- Your hotel lobby in Bangkok City
- Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Don Mueang Airport
This offer is especially attractive if you are arriving at Don Mueang Airport.
Taxi to Pattaya
You can get a Bangkok taxi on the street in the city, and most of the drivers will be ready to bring you to Pattaya. However, in most cases for such a long ride, a fixed rate will need to be set, and there's a high chance that a Bangkok taxi to Pattaya will cost you more than a pre-booked transfer.
To avoid misunderstandings and being overcharged, consider booking a taxi online here: Taxi to Pattaya.
Grab to Pattaya
If you're a fan of the Grab application, you can book a car in Bangkok and travel with Grab to Pattaya. The fare for such a ride will depend on many factors, such as pickup location, type of vehicle, availability of cars, and so on. If you will be staying in Downtown Bangkok, expect the Grab fare to Pattaya to start from 1,600-1,800 THB (it should be less if staying in the area around Suvarnabhumi Airport).
Train from Bangkok to Pattaya
Taking the eastern line train to Pattaya is another option to reach the resort city from Bangkok. There are currently two trains connecting two cities, both of them departing from Bangkok early in the morning.
The ordinary train No. 283 departs to Pattaya daily. The train departs Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 06:55 and arrives at Pattaya Station at 10:34 (or slightly later as trains tend to get delayed). The total distance between these two stations is 155 km. Tickets for this train need to be purchased at the station.
On weekends, the express train No. 997 also connects Bangkok and Pattaya. This train departs Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 06:45 and arrives at Pattaya Station at 09:13, making the trip significantly shorter than by the ordinary train.
Train tickets for a trip to Pattaya by express train can be booked online here: Pattaya Train Tickets (available only on Saturdays and Sundays!)
Train from Pattaya to Bangkok
The ordinary train No. 284 to Bangkok departs daily from Pattaya Station at 14:21 and terminates in Bangkok at 18:15. The train stops at several other train stations in the city, so you might not necessarily need to go to the terminal station, Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
The express train No. 998 to Bangkok departs on Saturdays and Sundays from Pattaya Station at 16:26 and terminates in Bangkok at 18:55.
Train tickets for a trip from Pattaya to Bangkok by express train can be booked online here: Bangkok Train Tickets
Day Trip to Pattaya
In case you are not willing to stay overnight in Pattaya, you can simply join the Pattaya Beach & Coral Island Small Group Tour from Bangkok.
On this day trip from Bangkok to Pattaya, you can enjoy the air-conditioned ride as you’re taken on a full-day trip to Ko Larn (Coral Island), a dreamy island just off the coast of Pattaya. You will spend 4 leisurely hours on the island of Koh Larn. Swim and snorkel in the warm, clear waters, try some beach sports, or simply relax on the white sands. Once you’ve soaked up the sun, you’ll head back to Pattaya Pier. Explore Pattaya Viewpoint and take in panoramic views of the area. Visit the incredible Sanctuary of Truth temple, a striking piece of architecture with detailed woodworking. Take one last glimpse of the sea before being transferred back to Bangkok.
To discover Pattaya City, join the Splendid Pattaya Classical Day Tour from Bangkok and ride an amphibious boat to Pattaya Floating Market, fill your Instagram feed with cool photos at Phra Tamnak Mountain Viewpoint, enjoy refreshing beverages, and chill by the Pattaya Beach at a nice restaurant before going to watch the Colosseum Show Pattaya, a spectacular ladyboy cabaret show.
To have a more flexible day trip, choose Pattaya City Day Trip with Private Driver and enjoy a day trip to Pattaya, a popular beach city on the East of Thailand, with your private driver in an air-conditioned vehicle. See the highlights that the city has to offer, like the laser Buddha, Pattaya Beach, Khao Pra Tam Nak viewpoint, and the city.
Tickets to Pattaya
Use the search form below to compare different means of transportation and to book tickets online.
Tips
Koh Larn, also known as Coral Island, is an idyllic island with beautiful beaches located just 7 km west of Pattaya. The island can be visited independently by taking a ferry or speedboat to the island as well as by joining a half-day tour or full-day tour from Pattaya.
If you are planning to visit The Sanctuary of Truth, a masterpiece of Thai architecture, make sure to book your tickets online in advance, as it will be significantly cheaper. Discounted tickets can be booked here: The Sanctuary of Truth Tickets.
