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ThailandQuick Overview of the Bangkok → Pattaya Route (~150 km)
- Regular Bus – 2–2.5 h, from 148 baht – from Ekkamai, Mo Chit stations
- Minivan – 2.5–3 h, from 350–400 baht – from Khao San area, Mo Chit minivan station
- Train – 3.5–6 h, 32 baht – Hua Lamphong Railway Station
- Taxi – 1.5–2 h, from 1200 baht – from anywhere
- Transfer – 1.5–2 h, from 1500 baht) – online booking, hotel-to-hotel
- From Suvarnabhumi Airport – ~2 h, bus from 130 baht, taxi from 1000 baht
- From Don Muang Airport – ~2–2.5 h, taxi/transfer from 1500 baht
💡 Details, schedules, and nuances of each option – below in the article. All prices have been verified through personal experience but may increase over time.
By Bus and Minivan
The bus is the most popular and balanced option. It takes about 2–2.5 hours, and the ticket costs from 148 baht. The main thing is to choose the right departure station so you don't have to drag your luggage across the whole city. Bangkok has several bus terminals, and almost all of them have direct routes to Pattaya. There's almost no difference in price or schedule between them – choose the one that's most convenient for you to get to. Booking in advance isn't necessary; you can just show up at the station and buy a ticket at the counter for the next departure. But if you want to play it safe and catch a specific departure, you can buy a ticket online at 12go.asia. The site doesn't accept Russian cards, but you can book a ticket and pay with cash at the nearest supermarket counter.
Eastern Terminal Ekkamai (Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal)
This is the most convenient option if you're staying in the Sukhumvit, Pratunam, or central area. In fact, it's the main station for Pattaya. Ekkamai is adjacent to the BTS Ekkamai Skytrain station (Ekkamai station on the map), and it's fastest to get here by Skytrain. Read about how to use the metro in Bangkok in our guide.
Buses to Pattaya depart every hour from 05:00 to 23:00. Tickets cost 148 baht (4.41 USD) per person plus 20 baht for oversized luggage. Ticket counters are inside the waiting hall; staff speak some English, but it's easy to figure out. Besides large buses, minivans also depart from here – they call out to passengers right at the entrance. This is also a decent option, but only if you're traveling without luggage.
Northern Terminal Mo Chit (Mo Chit Bus Terminal)
The capital's main bus terminal serves both northern and some southern directions. It's convenient to use if your hotel is closer to northern Bangkok or if you've arrived at Don Muang Airport (buses and the train go from there to Mo Chit). The bus terminal is located next to the BTS Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak Park metro stations (Mo Chit station on the map). From the metro, you can walk in 15 minutes, or a motorbike taxi will take you for 30 baht.
Buses to Pattaya depart every hour, but only from 05:00 to 18:00. Ticket price – 158 baht (4.71 USD).
Additionally, right across the road via the pedestrian bridge is the Mo Chit minivan station (minivan station on the map). From here, minivans to Pattaya leave as they fill up, price around 350–400 baht.
Where Do Buses Arrive in Pattaya?
When buying a ticket, be sure to check the final stop – different companies may drop off at different stations. Most often, buses from Bangkok end up here:
- North Pattaya Station (North Pattaya Station, also known as Roong Reaung Coach Station) (North Station on the map). The main hub for intercity buses. Get off here if your hotel is in central Pattaya, Naklua, or Wong Amat.
- South Station Jomtien (Roong Reuang Coach Jomtien, also known as Bus 389 Office) (Jomtien Station on the map). Perfect for those staying in Jomtien or Pratumnak. Some buses heading to Jomtien pass through the North Station – you can ask the driver to drop you off there if needed.
Some buses arrive at T-Tour Station (T-Tour station on the map) near the pier to Koh Lan and Walking Street – convenient if your hotel is in the southern part of the center or you need to take the ferry to the island. Smaller carriers may have their own drop-off points, so always check the specific address when buying your ticket. From any station, it's easy to get to your hotel in Pattaya by songthaew (15 baht) or taxi (from 100 baht). To figure out city transport routes and not overpay, read our overview: Pattaya transport and how to use it.
Minivans from Tourist Areas
If you don't want to go to a bus terminal, you can buy a spot in a tourist minivan at street agencies. The main departure point is the Khao San Road area, and from Pratunam, Sukhumvit, and other areas it's harder to find such minivans. At local agencies, a ticket to Pattaya costs from 400 baht (11.93 USD), which is more expensive than a regular bus, but often the minivan picks you up from your hotel or sets a meeting point within walking distance, and drops you off at your hotel door in Pattaya.
But in our experience, minivans from Khao San are still a lottery. You might end up in a half-empty comfortable minibus, or you might be squeezed in with a bunch of backpacks in tight quarters. Travel time is about 2.5–3 hours, but sometimes drivers are catastrophically slow. If your hotel is in central Bangkok, it might still be better to get to Ekkamai or Mo Chit by metro or bus, and take a regular bus from there – it'll be cheaper and often faster.
By Train
This is the cheapest and most meditative way to get to Pattaya. Commuter train No. 283 (weekdays) takes almost 4 hours by schedule, but in reality it can crawl for all 6 – we once spent over five hours on it, staring at rice paddies. The ticket costs from 32 baht (0.95 USD). Another train No. 997 is more comfortable and expensive, costs from 170 baht (5.07 USD), but it only runs on weekends.
Weekdays only (32 baht):
- Bangkok (Hua Lamphong)-Pattaya, train No. 283: departure 06:55, arrival 10:34
- Pattaya-Bangkok (Hua Lamphong), train No. 284: departure 14:20, arrival 18:15
Weekends only express tourist train (170 baht):
- Bangkok (Hua Lamphong)-Pattaya, train No. 997: departure 06:45, arrival 09:13
- Pattaya-Bangkok (Hua Lamphong), train No. 998: departure 16:26, arrival 18:55
Where Does It Depart From in Bangkok
The train departs from the old Hua Lamphong station, located in the Chinatown area (Hua Lamphong station on the map). Conveniently, it makes stops along the way, so you can board in central Bangkok – in the Sukhumvit or Pratunam area at Makkasan, Phaya Thai stations, and others further down the line. You can check all stations on the official website https://ttsview.railway.co.th/v3/: select Train No / Timetable / the train number from the list.
Where Does It Arrive in Pattaya
In Pattaya, the train arrives at two stops: Pattaya Train Station (railway station on the map) and Pattaya Tai Train Station (Pattaya Tai station on the map). If your hotel is in the center or north of Pattaya (Naklua, Wong Amat), it's better to get off at the first station. If you're staying in Jomtien or Pratumnak, Pattaya Tai is more convenient.
From the stations, you can get to your hotel by taxi or by local Baht Bus (songthaew), which wait for passengers at the stations – fare from 30 baht. Read more about getting around the resort in the article about Pattaya transport.
Train schedules may change, so check them before your trip at railway.co.th. Tickets are sold right before departure; no need to book in advance. Bring water and snacks – the cars have no air conditioning but have openable windows.
Taxi and Transfer
If you're traveling with a group, with kids, or just tired of public transport, a taxi is your option. From central Bangkok to Pattaya, a metered taxi will cost from 1200 baht (35.78 USD) per car. Private drivers often ask for more – 1500 baht, but you can negotiate. Don't forget about toll roads: the driver may ask for an extra 50–100 baht. Travel time is 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic.
The most reliable way is to order a car via the Grab, Bolt, or InDriver apps. The price is shown upfront, no surprises. You can also hail a taxi on the street, but then be sure to insist on the meter or agree on a final fixed price before the trip starts. At street travel agencies, especially on Khao San Road, you can also buy a ride in a private car, but that's essentially closer to a tourist transfer – the price may be higher, but the car will be brought right to your hotel.
Tourist transfer is another option for those who value predictability. You pay for the car online in advance, and the driver picks you up from your hotel door in Bangkok and takes you directly to your hotel in Pattaya. More expensive than a metered taxi, but you can choose a minivan for a large group. Check prices and book a transfer on these sites: