How to Get to Pattaya

Pattaya is a very famous city in Thailand. Every year lots of tourists from all over the world are coming here as the aim of their visit is various. Most of the visitors come together with organized groups, but others prefer to arrange on their own the trip. Considering that it is essential for them to have basic information about the means of transport in the place they are going to visit. In this blog will be described the main ways to get to Pattaya depending on the transport you use.

·        Getting to Pattaya by car

Located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is 147 km from Bangkok and can be reached in 2 hours by car. There are 3 main highways that are as follows:

-         Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway - the motorway is linked with Bangkok's Outer Ring Road. There are entrances to the hightway at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.

-         Bangna Trat Highway - From Bangna, Bangphlee, cross over Bang Pakong River to Chonburi. Take Chonburi bypass to meet Sukhumvit Road, pass Bang Saen Beach and Bang Phra to reach Pattaya.

-         Bangkok – Minburi - pass Chachoengsao and Bang Pakong river to reach Chonburi.

Most hotels in Bangkok provide limousine service from the hotel to Pattaya.

·        Getting to Pattaya by bus

There are bus services departing Bangkok throughout the day. Air-conditioned and non-aircon coaches regularly depart from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit) on Kamphaengphet Road and Southern Bus Terminal on Borommarat Chonnani Road. There is also direct bus service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya. It runs daily from 06.30 am to 07.00 pm

·        Getting to Pattaya by Plane

1.     Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located only 110 km from Pattaya. Therefore, transfers by road are inexpensive and quick. It is made easy and convenient by the Highway. There are licenced taxi services from the airport. The one-way fares are around 1,200 Baht excluding 60 Baht for two toll fees. It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to Pattaya in non-peak hours.

2.     Don Muang Airport

Don Muang Airport was superseded by Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006 and re-opened in 2007. It currently handles Nok Air, One-Two-GO, PB Air and most Thai Airways domestic flights. Travelling by taxi is the easiest way to Pattaya but one can also go by bus via Mo Chit (Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal) or by train via Hualamphong Train Station.

3.     U-Tapao Airport

U-Tapao Airport is located 30km south of Pattaya, off the Sattahip - Chanthaburi (Sukhumvit) Highway or 45 minutes drive to Pattaya. It is used as a military facility, it's the closest airport fielding commercial passenger flights. There are no commercial passenger flights connecting U-Tapao directly with Bangkok. Bangkok Airways provides daily flights connecting Ko Samui and U-Taphao Airport.

No matter what kind of transport you use, if you intend to stay in Pattaya for more than one day you have to choose a place for accommodation. The best alternative is to stay in a hotel in Pattaya. There is a wide range of hotels in Pattaya and usually they are full of foreigners during the high season. Considering that I recommend you to make an online reservation for the chosen hotel in Pattaya so that your stay will be guaranteed. So the decision is up to you but for sure you will have an unforgettable experience in Pattaya.