Bangkok to Pattaya (2026): Bus vs Taxi vs Private Transfer, Prices & Tips
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In this guide
Pattaya is the easiest beach escape from Bangkok: about 150 km down the highway, roughly 2 hours by road. There’s no flight to worry about and no ferry. The real choice is between cheap and slightly fiddly (the bus) and door to door (a taxi or private transfer).
Quick comparison
| Bus | Grab / taxi | Private transfer (booked ahead) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~฿150 per person | ~฿1,200–1,500 + tolls per car | Fixed price per car |
| Door to door | ❌ Bus station to bus station | ✅ | ✅ |
| Luggage | 1–2 bags | Depends on the car | Choose a van for big groups |
| Best for | Solo travellers, couples | Short-notice trips | Families, groups, airport arrivals |
Rates in this guide use roughly RM1 ≈ ฿8. Check the rate on the day.
Option 1: The bus (cheapest)
From central Bangkok: Ekkamai bus terminal (Eastern Bus Terminal)
- Right next to BTS Ekkamai, so it’s the easiest station if you’re staying on Sukhumvit.
- Buses to Pattaya run about every hour, roughly 05:00 to 22:00, for around ฿150.
- The ride takes 2–2.5 hours. Buses drop you at the Pattaya bus terminal on North Pattaya Road. From there, take a songthaew (the shared pickup trucks) or a Grab to your hotel.
From the north of Bangkok: Mo Chit 2 (Northern Bus Terminal) has buses too, for a few baht more. Use it if you’re staying near Chatuchak or arriving from northern Thailand.
Option 2: Straight from the airport
From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): bus 389 leaves from Level 1, Gate 8 and runs to Pattaya and Jomtien for roughly ฿130–160, about once an hour. Bags are limited (around 2 bags, up to 20 kg each).
From Don Mueang (DMK), where most AirAsia flights from Malaysia land, there’s no simple direct bus. Your options:
- Grab or a taxi to Ekkamai or Mo Chit, then the bus (cheap, but slow with luggage)
- A private transfer straight to Pattaya, which is the easiest choice after a flight
Bangkok airport transfer (BKK or DMK)
- Driver waits for you in the arrival hall
- Fixed price agreed before you fly
- Choose a sedan, SUV or van for groups
Option 3: Grab or taxi
Grab works for Bangkok to Pattaya, and so do regular taxis. Expect roughly ฿1,200–1,500 plus tolls for a standard car. With metered taxis, agree on a total price before you set off. It’s quick and comfortable, but between three or four people a pre-booked transfer usually works out similar, without the haggling.
Option 4: Private transfer (best for groups and families)
A pre-booked private car or van picks you up from your Bangkok hotel or the airport and drops you at your Pattaya hotel. The price is per car, not per person, so split four ways it becomes good value.
Private transfer: Bangkok to Pattaya
- Hotel or airport pickup in Bangkok
- Also covers Ayutthaya and Hua Hin
- Van options for big groups and luggage
Pattaya private car charter from Bangkok
- Car and driver for the whole day
- Stop at viewpoints or markets on the way
- Good for a Pattaya day trip from Bangkok
What about the train?
There is a train from Bangkok to Pattaya. It’s very cheap, but there are only a few departures, it’s slow, and the Pattaya station is outside the centre. It’s fun if you love trains. For everyone else, the bus is faster and simpler.
Where to stay in Pattaya
- Central Pattaya / Beach Road: walk to the beach, malls and Walking Street. Best for first-timers.
- Jomtien: quieter, more relaxed, better for families.
- Naklua / North Pattaya: calmer resorts, close to the bus terminal.
Compare Pattaya hotels
Live prices, reviews and free cancellation, from Beach Road to Jomtien.
See Pattaya hotels on Agoda →Compare on Trip.comPack for the road
Travel-safe 10,000mAh power bank
Under 100Wh, so it is allowed in your cabin bag. Keeps your phone alive for maps, Grab and e-tickets.
View on Shopee →Plan the rest of your trip
- What to actually do there: things to do in Pattaya
- Getting to Bangkok first: KL to Bangkok and Bangkok airport to the city
- More day trips: the best day trips from Bangkok
- Before you fly: the free TDAC arrival card and a Thailand eSIM
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?
About 2 to 2.5 hours by road for the roughly 150 km trip. Friday evenings, weekends and public holidays can add 30 to 60 minutes.
What is the cheapest way from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The bus. Buses from Ekkamai and Mo Chit cost roughly ฿150 (around RM19) and leave about every hour from early morning to late evening.
Is there a bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya?
Yes. Bus 389 leaves from Level 1, Gate 8 at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and goes to Pattaya and Jomtien for roughly ฿130–160. It runs about once an hour, so check the latest timetable when you land.
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Roughly ฿1,200–1,500 plus tolls for a car. Agree the price before you set off, or book a fixed-price private transfer in advance.
Is a private transfer worth it?
For groups of 3 or more, families with luggage, or late-night arrivals, yes. Split between several people, it often costs about the same per person as the bus plus a Grab to and from the bus stations.
