Bangkok to Pattaya: How to Get There by Bus, Taxi & Transfer
Bangkok to Pattaya is one of the first questions independent travelers ask after landing in Thailand. Good news: the route is simple. From Suvarnabhumi Airport you can take a direct bus or transfer, and from central Bangkok — a bus from one of the city terminals or a taxi through an app.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown: where the buses leave from, what a taxi costs on Bolt and InDrive, where to find the counters on the airport’s 1st floor, and which option to pick if you’re traveling with luggage, kids, or landing at night. If you’re not sure yet where in Pattaya you’re staying, our Where Is Pattaya, Thailand? guide and interactive map are a good starting point.
Quick Comparison: Best Ways From Bangkok to Pattaya
| Method | From | Price | Travel Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roong Reuang Coach / Airport Pattaya Bus | Suvarnabhumi, 1st floor, Gate 8 | about 143 THB (~$4) | 1.5–2.5 hrs | cheapest option from the airport |
| Bell Travel Service | Suvarnabhumi, 1st floor | about 300–400 THB (~$8–11) | 2–3 hrs | useful if you want door-to-hotel drop-off |
| Taxi Bolt / InDrive | airport or city | about 1,200–2,500 THB (~$33–70) | 1.5–2 hrs | families, night arrivals, heavy luggage |
| Bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit | central Bangkok | about 130–180 THB (~$4–5) | 2–3 hrs | if you’re already in the city, not the airport |
Option 1. Airport Bus — Roong Reuang Coach From Suvarnabhumi’s 1st Floor
The cheapest and most popular way out of the airport is the direct airport bus Suvarnabhumi–Pattaya run by Roong Reuang Coach, often called the Airport Pattaya Bus.
Where to find the bus at the airport
After collecting your luggage, head down to the 1st floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport. You’re looking for Gate 8. That’s where the bus company counters are, including the Pattaya direction. Signs usually read Pattaya or Jomtien.
Schedule and price
Roong Reuang Coach buses typically run from 07:00 to 21:00, often about once an hour. A ticket costs around 143 THB (~$4). Schedules can shift depending on season, holidays, and how busy the route is, so it’s worth checking the current times at the counter or on the carrier’s site before your trip.
Where the bus drops you off
Most buses terminate in the Jomtien area, at the bus terminal near Thappraya Road / Jomtien. From there you can reach your hotel by songthaew, motorbike taxi, regular taxi, or Bolt.
Step by step
- Land at Suvarnabhumi and clear immigration.
- Collect your luggage.
- Head down to the 1st floor.
- Walk to Gate 8 and find the Pattaya / Jomtien counter.
- Buy a ticket for the next departure.
- Board the bus and ride to Pattaya.
- Take a local taxi from the terminal to your hotel.
Pros: cheap, straightforward, no transfer through Bangkok. Cons: if your flight is delayed or you land late at night, the next bus may not be running.
Option 2. Bell Travel: Suvarnabhumi–Pattaya Transfer With Hotel Drop-off
If you’d like a more comfortable Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya transfer, look at Bell Travel Service. It’s a bus transfer that usually includes the ride from the airport to Pattaya plus a further shuttle to passengers’ hotels by minivan.
Where to find Bell Travel
Bell Travel counters are also on the lower level of Suvarnabhumi Airport — head to the 1st floor, in the bus-counter area. If you can’t spot it right away, ask airport staff for “Airport Pattaya Bus” or “Bell Travel.”
Schedule and price
Bell Travel usually runs a handful of departures a day — for example, morning, midday, and early evening. A typical departure window is roughly 08:00–18:00, but it’s best to confirm the exact schedule and book online in advance. Price is usually around 300–400 THB (~$8–11) per person.
The main difference from a regular bus: Bell Travel doesn’t just drop you at a bus station — it organizes a further shuttle straight to your hotel in Pattaya. That’s convenient after a long flight, especially if you’d rather not deal with local transport.
Step by step
- Book a seat on the Bell Travel website in advance, or buy on the spot if seats are available.
- After landing, head down to Suvarnabhumi’s 1st floor.
- Find the Bell Travel counter.
- Show your booking and wait for boarding.
- Ride the bus to Pattaya.
- Switch to the minivan that shuttles passengers to their hotels.
Pros: hotel drop-off, fixed price, straightforward logistics. Cons: pricier than a regular bus, fewer departures per day.
Option 3. Taxi From Bangkok to Pattaya via Bolt and InDrive
A taxi is the most comfortable option if you’re landing at night, traveling as a family, carrying several suitcases, or don’t want to wait for a bus. The ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya takes about 1.5–2 hours; from central Bangkok, usually 2–2.5 hours because of city traffic.
How much does Bolt cost from Bangkok to Pattaya
Approximate Bolt prices:
- Suvarnabhumi — Pattaya: about 1,200–1,800 THB (~$33–50);
- central Bangkok — Pattaya: about 1,600–2,500 THB (~$44–69);
- minivan or larger vehicle: usually more, about 2,200–3,500 THB (~$61–97).
How much does InDrive cost
With InDrive you propose your own price to the driver. A workable range for Suvarnabhumi — Pattaya is typically around 1,300–1,800 THB (~$36–50); from central Bangkok, around 1,700–2,500 THB (~$47–69). If you set the price too low, a driver may take a while to accept.
Before getting in, check whether tolls and parking fees are included. Drivers sometimes ask to be paid for highway tolls separately — that’s normal practice, but it’s better to agree on it before the ride starts.
How to book a taxi at Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Connect to the airport Wi-Fi or get a local eSIM / SIM card.
- Open Bolt or InDrive.
- Set your Pattaya hotel as the destination.
- Choose a vehicle category that fits your luggage.
- Message the driver that you have suitcases and are heading to Pattaya.
- Agree on a pickup point at the terminal.
Worth knowing: meeting an app driver at the airport isn’t always straightforward. If you’d rather skip the messaging back and forth, an official airport taxi counter is another option, usually at a higher price.
Option 4. Buses From Central Bangkok: Ekkamai and Mo Chit
If you’re already staying in Bangkok and heading to Pattaya later — not straight from the airport — the city bus terminals are more convenient.
Ekkamai Bus Terminal
The eastern bus terminal Ekkamai sits right next to BTS Ekkamai station. It’s one of the easiest options for travelers staying around Sukhumvit, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, or On Nut.
Buses and vans to Pattaya leave frequently, sometimes every 30–60 minutes. A ticket usually costs around 130–180 THB (~$4–5). Travel time is roughly 2–3 hours.
Mo Chit Bus Terminal
Mo Chit works well for travelers staying in northern Bangkok or near Chatuchak. Buses to Pattaya also run regularly, at roughly the same price — around 130–180 THB.
The downside of the city terminals is that you still need to get to them through Bangkok traffic. If you’ve just landed at Suvarnabhumi, it’s usually not worth detouring into the city just to catch a bus — the direct airport bus is faster.
How Long Does It Take From Bangkok to Pattaya
The distance between Bangkok and Pattaya is about 150 km. Actual travel time depends on your starting point, traffic, and day of the week.
- Suvarnabhumi — Pattaya by taxi: 1.5–2 hours;
- Suvarnabhumi — Pattaya by bus: 1.5–2.5 hours;
- central Bangkok — Pattaya by taxi: 2–2.5 hours;
- central Bangkok — Pattaya by bus: 2–3 hours.
On Friday evenings, before public holidays, and during long weekends the trip can take longer. Plan the return direction (Pattaya — Bangkok) with a buffer too, especially if you have an international flight to catch.
What to Choose: Bus, Bell Travel, or Taxi
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Traveling solo or as a couple, want to save money | Roong Reuang Coach from Suvarnabhumi’s 1st floor |
| Want to be dropped off at your hotel | Bell Travel |
| Landing at night | Taxi via Bolt, InDrive, or an official airport taxi |
| Traveling with kids or heavy luggage | Taxi or a pre-booked transfer |
| Already staying in central Bangkok | Bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit |
Practical Tips Before You Go
- Carry cash in Thai baht — not every bus counter or driver accepts cards.
- If landing in the evening, check the last bus departure time in advance.
- For taxis, save your hotel’s address in both English and Thai.
- If taking the bus, confirm the drop-off point in Pattaya: North Pattaya, Central Pattaya, or Jomtien.
- Build in extra time for immigration and baggage claim.
FAQ
What’s the cheapest way from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The Roong Reuang Coach airport bus from Suvarnabhumi’s 1st floor, Gate 8, at around 143 THB (~$4), is the cheapest option.
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Around 1.5–2.5 hours from Suvarnabhumi Airport, or 2–3 hours from central Bangkok, depending on traffic and transport method.
Is there a train from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Most travelers use bus, van, or taxi rather than rail — buses and transfers from Suvarnabhumi are faster and more frequent for this route.
What is the nearest airport to Pattaya?
Most visitors fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) and continue by bus, transfer, or taxi. Pattaya also has its own regional airport, U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport (IATA code: UTP), located about 30–45 minutes from the city center. It handles a smaller number of domestic and charter/regional flights and can be worth checking if you want to skip the Bangkok transfer entirely.
How much does a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya cost?
Typically 1,200–2,500 THB (~$33–70) via Bolt or InDrive, depending on vehicle size and pickup point.
Bottom Line
If you want it cheap and without extra transfers, take the Roong Reuang Coach bus from Suvarnabhumi’s 1st floor. If you’d rather have a calmer option with hotel drop-off, Bell Travel is a good fit. If comfort, speed, and flexibility matter most, book a taxi through Bolt or InDrive.
For most independent travelers, the simplest plan is: land at Suvarnabhumi, head down to the 1st floor near Gate 8, and buy a ticket for the next bus to Pattaya. And if your flight lands late or you’re worn out after the trip — take a taxi and you’ll be at your hotel in about two hours.
