How to get from Pattaya to Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi): all the ways

Bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Airport

• 💰 Price: starting from 122 baht (3.74 USD)
• 🕑 Travel time: 1.5–2 hours (but budget 2.5–3 hours with traffic, especially during rush hour and in the evening)
• 📅 Schedule:
  • bus #389 from Jomtien — 06:00–22:00 (every hour);
  • bus #389 from North Station — 07:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 21:00;
  • Bell Travel — picks up from hotels from 06:00 to 19:00 (7 trips);
  • bus #999 — 06:30, 10:30, 14:30, 16:30 (passing through, from North Station).

The bus is the best deal in terms of price and comfort if your flight isn't super early in the morning or late at night. The main thing is to figure out which station and which carrier to take, because tickets for popular trips can sell out 1–2 days in advance. All the details are below.

Regular bus #389 (Roong Reuang)

The basic and most convenient way. Air-conditioned buses with plenty of luggage space, travel time about 1.5–2 hours. Departs from two stations:

• From Jomtien Bus Station

  Trips every hour from 06:00 to 22:00. This is the latest bus option, which is handy for evening flights. If your hotel is on Pratumnak, South Pattaya, or Jomtien itself — this is your choice (Jomtien Station on the map). Price — from 162 baht (4.97 USD).

• From North Pattaya Bus Station

  Departures at 07:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 21:00. Choose this one if you're staying in central or north part of the city, near Naklua or Terminal 21 (North Station on the map). Price — from 139 baht (4.26 USD).

Where to check the schedule and buy tickets:

• At the bus station ticket offices: this is the most reliable way.
• Carrier's official website: rrcticket.com (Roong Reuang Coach).
• Another official website: airportpattayabus.com.
• Aggregator: 12go.asia (you can book a ticket and pay at supermarket counters).

Bell Travel — picks up from hotels

Bell Travel is for when you don't want to worry about how to get to the bus station. A minivan picks you up right from your hotel and takes you to the departure area at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Super convenient, but there aren't many trips, and seats sell out fast.

• Price: from 216 baht (6.62 USD) — the exact price depends on the hotel, check their website.
• Schedule: pickups from hotels at 06:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (double-check on the website before you go).
• Luggage: 1 piece up to 20 kg free, carry-on; extra weight costs extra (20–150 baht depending on weight).
Where to buy: online on 12go.asia (you can book a ticket and pay at supermarket counters if you don't have a foreign bank card) or on belltravelservice.com (Russian cards don't work), as well as at the company's ticket office at the North Bus Station or at travel agencies on the streets of Pattaya.

Bus #999 (Transport Co.) — the cheapest, boarding on Sukhumvit

The state bus #999 is the most budget option (from 122 baht). It's a passing route: it comes from the south (from the Koh Chang piers), goes through Pattaya along Sukhumvit Road, and makes four stops to pick up passengers: Tepprasit, South Pattaya, Central Pattaya, and North Bus Station. The last one is the final pickup point in the city, after which the bus heads to the expressway towards the airport.

Important: You can't buy tickets directly at the Sukhumvit stops — they're sold either online (via the carrier's website or an aggregator) or at the ticket office at North Bus Station. Since the bus is passing through, seats aren't guaranteed: if it arrives already full, they won't let you on, and you'll have to wait for the next one (interval up to 4 hours) or find an alternative.

Schedule (approximate departure time from the south, add 15–20 minutes for North Station): 06:30, 10:30, 14:30 and 16:30. Be sure to check the current info on the carrier's website before you travel.

Where it arrives: The bus doesn't go to the passenger terminal but to the Suvarnabhumi Bus Terminal (Public Transportation Center) — a separate building a few minutes' drive from the terminal. From there, a free shuttle bus will take you to the check-in counters (runs 24/7, takes about 5–10 minutes). More about Suvarnabhumi Bus Station.

Check the schedule and buy tickets on the carrier's official website: tcl99web.transport.co.th.

Taxi and transfer

• 💰 Price: from 1200 baht (36.8 USD) per car
• 🕑 Travel time: 1.5–2 hours
• 📅 Operating hours: 24/7

• Taxi via apps (Grab, Bolt, Maxim, InDrive) — fixed price, shown right in the app, from 1500 baht (46 USD). But don't leave ordering until the last minute, sometimes you might wait 30 minutes for a driver to accept the cheapest fare.
• Street taxis and transfer counters — in Pattaya's tourist zones, there are tons of spots with "Taxi Service" signs. Prices are about the same: 1200–1500 baht (36.8–46 USD). You can book a few hours or a day in advance, the car will pick you up at your hotel at the right time.
• Transfer with a meet-and-greet — book in advance on Kiwitaxi or Intui.travel. The driver will come right to your hotel. Price also starts from 1500 baht (46 USD) for an economy car.

Handy tips for your trip: where to buy tickets and how not to miss your flight

Where and when to buy bus tickets

Unlike the trip from the airport, where tickets are almost always available at exit #8, leaving from Pattaya is a different story. In high season or for evening trips, tickets sell out 1–2 days in advance. So we strongly advise not to leave buying tickets until the last minute.

• Online: via rrcticket.com (#389) or the aggregator 12go.asia (all carriers). This is the most reliable way to secure a seat. The sites don't accept Russian cards, but on 12go you can book a ticket and pay for it at supermarket counters.
• Offline at the station: go to North Station or Jomtien Station and buy your ticket 1–2 days before your flight. If that's not possible, arrive 1–2 hours earlier than your planned bus departure time (not the plane!). If the next trip is full, you'll have time to wait for the next one or, in a worst-case scenario, book a taxi.

Street transfers and taxis in Pattaya

All around the city, especially on Sukhumvit and near large hotels, you'll see counters offering taxis and minivans to the airport. These are private drivers and companies. Taxi prices start at 1200 baht (36.8 USD) per car. The plus side is you can arrange the exact pickup time from your hotel. It's not a bad option if you don't want to bother with apps, but compare the price with Grab — a street taxi driver often asks for 200–300 baht more than the app price.

Comparing the options