Pattaya’s eastern seaboard location puts it within day-trip range of islands, national parks, and even the Cambodian border. The standout day trip from Pattaya is Koh Larn (Coral Island) just 7 kilometres offshore, but extending further brings you to Koh Samet’s white-sand beaches, the jungle waterfalls of Khao Yai, and the historic bridge on the River Kwai. This guide covers the best day trips from Pattaya with travel times, costs, and practical logistics.
Day Trips from Pattaya: Koh Larn (Coral Island)
- Travel time: 45 minutes by ferry from Bali Hai Pier (30 THB one way, departures 7:00 to 17:00, every 1-2 hours). Speedboat: 15 minutes, 200 to 300 THB one way, depart when full (6-8 people).
- Best for: Clear water, white-sand beaches (Tawaen, Samae, Tien, Nual), and a quick island escape from Pattaya’s urban beach.
- On-island transport: Songthaews and motorbike taxis circle the island on a 6-kilometre loop road. Motorbike taxi between beaches costs 50 to 100 THB per person. Motorbike rental is 300 THB per day but the hilly roads are steep.
- Last ferry back: 17:00 from Tawaen Pier and Na Ban Pier. Miss it and private speedboat charters run 2,000 to 3,000 THB back to Bali Hai.
Day Trips from Pattaya: Koh Samet
- Travel time: 1.5 hours by car/minivan to Ban Phe Pier (Rayong province), then 30 to 45 minutes by ferry to Koh Samet (120 THB round trip). Total door-to-door: 3 hours each way.
- Best for: Koh Samet’s beaches are a significant step up from Pattaya and Koh Larn: Sai Kaew Beach has 1 kilometre of fine white sand, Ao Wong Duean is a perfect horseshoe bay, and Ao Phrao on the west coast catches the sunset. Koh Samet is a national park (entry 200 THB for foreigners).
- Tour prices: Day-trip packages from Pattaya: 2,500 to 3,500 THB including round-trip transport, ferry, lunch, and national park fee. DIY: minivan to Ban Phe (200 THB) plus ferry (120 THB round trip) plus park fee (200 THB) runs about 600 THB total but the 3-hour each-way travel makes it a full 12-hour day.
