Pattaya is 147 kilometres from Bangkok, a 2-hour drive on the Motorway 7, making it the most accessible beach destination from Thailand’s capital. Getting around Pattaya itself relies on the baht bus (songthaew) system that runs fixed loops along Beach Road and Second Road, plus motorbike taxis and Grab for point-to-point trips. This guide to getting around Pattaya covers the Bangkok transfer, the baht bus system, and ferry links to Koh Larn.
Getting Around Pattaya: Bangkok to Pattaya
From Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the Airport Pattaya Bus runs hourly from 7:00 to 22:00, taking 2 hours and costing 143 THB (US$4). The bus departs from Level 1, Gate 8, and arrives at the Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road. From there, baht buses to Pattaya Beach cost 50 THB (15 minutes).
From Don Mueang Airport (DMK), take the free shuttle to Suvarnabhumi and catch the same bus, or take a taxi (1,500 to 2,000 THB). Private transfer services cost 1,200 to 1,800 THB door to door and are bookable through Klook or 12Go.asia. For groups of 3-plus, a private transfer is cheaper per person than the bus and drops at your hotel.
Getting Around Pattaya: Baht Buses (Songthaews)
Pattaya’s blue songthaews (baht buses) are the cheapest way to get around. They operate on a fixed loop: southbound on Beach Road, U-turn at Walking Street, northbound on Second Road, U-turn at the Dolphin Roundabout. A ride anywhere on this loop costs 10 THB per person. Flag one down, hop in the back, and press the buzzer when you want to get off.
Pay the driver through the passenger window at the end. The loop runs 24 hours but frequencies drop after midnight. Baht buses also run from the Dolphin Roundabout north to Naklua (20 THB) and south to Jomtien Beach (30 THB). For destinations off the Beach Road/Second Road loop, use a motorbike taxi (40 to 100 THB per trip) or Grab (60 to 150 THB). Baht buses are not metered taxis; they follow fixed routes only. Do not negotiate a fare with a parked driver or they’ll quote a private-hire price of 200 to 300 THB for the same route.
Getting Around Pattaya: Motorbike Rental and Taxis
Motorbike rental: 200 to 300 THB per day for a 125cc automatic. Pattaya traffic is less aggressive than Bangkok’s but still chaotic, especially on Second Road and Sukhumvit Road. Police checkpoints operate frequently on Beach Road and near Walking Street; helmet fine is 400 to 500 THB.
Motorbike taxis (drivers in orange vests) congregate at street corners and soi entrances; short hops cost 40 to 60 THB, longer rides 80 to 150 THB. Negotiate before getting on. Grab and Bolt operate in Pattaya with GrabCar rides costing 60 to 150 THB for in-town trips. Bolt is 20 percent cheaper but has fewer drivers, especially after 23:00.
