Photo by Andreas Maier on Pexels
By Michael Gonzales ยท Updated November 2, 2026
Pattaya is about 150 km southeast of Bangkok, roughly two hours by road. The easiest way is a pre-booked private transfer from your hotel or the airport. The cheapest easy way is the Roong Reuang bus: 144 baht from Ekkamai, 155 baht from Mo Chit 2, or 135 baht from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
We checked the bus company's timetables, the Airports of Thailand transport pages and the current transfer listings on November 2, 2026. Times and fares below are what those pages showed that day. Traffic on the way out of Bangkok decides most of your journey time, so leave slack if you have a flight or a hotel check-in to make.
How far is Pattaya from Bangkok?
Pattaya sits on the Gulf of Thailand about 150 km (93 miles) southeast of central Bangkok (Wikipedia: Pattaya). From Suvarnabhumi Airport it is about 120 km by road. Most drivers and buses use Motorway 7, an eight-lane motorway that starts in eastern Bangkok and runs 149.3 km toward Ban Chang, passing Chonburi and Pattaya (Wikipedia: Motorway 7). By rail, Pattaya station is 155 km from Bangkok's main station on the Eastern Line (Wikipedia: Pattaya railway station).
Which way from Bangkok to Pattaya should I choose?
| Option | From | Fare checked Nov 2, 2026 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Your Bangkok hotel or either airport | Per car, set when you book | Families, groups, heavy bags, late arrivals |
| Shared transfer | Bangkok hotel or Suvarnabhumi | Per seat, set when you book | Solo travellers who want hotel drop-off |
| Bus, Ekkamai | Ekkamai Bus Terminal (BTS Ekkamai) | 144 baht | Sukhumvit stays, most departures |
| Bus, Mo Chit 2 | Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal | 155 baht | North Bangkok, Chatuchak area |
| Bus, Suvarnabhumi | Airport level 1, gate 8 | 135 baht (Roong Reuang) | Going straight from a flight |
| Bus, Don Mueang | T1 gate 1 or T2 gate 11, level 1 | 155 baht | Arrivals at Don Mueang |
| Train | Bangkok main station (Hua Lamphong) | Check SRT | Rail fans with time to spare |
| Taxi | Anywhere in Bangkok | Meter or agreed fare, plus tolls | Last-minute trips |
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Can I book a private or shared transfer from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Yes, and it is the simplest door-to-door option. These are the Klook listings we checked on November 2, 2026; the ratings are a snapshot from that day:
- Private transfer, hotel or airport to Pattaya. A private car for your group, rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 6,400 reviews: Bangkok to Pattaya private transfer on Klook.
- Shared transfer between Bangkok and Pattaya. A seat on a shared run with hotel drop-off, rated 4.5 out of 5 from about 2,200 reviews: Bangkok to Pattaya shared transfer on Klook.
- Private car charter. A car and driver for a longer day, useful if you want stops on the way, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 458 reviews: Bangkok and Pattaya private car charter on Klook.
Bell Travel Service also sells Bangkok to Pattaya transfers. Its shared runs leave Suvarnabhumi for Pattaya hotels at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., with check-in at level 1, gate 8. Its Bangkok hotel to Pattaya hotel runs leave at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Bell Travel Service).
A private car makes most sense when you have three or four people, children, or more bags than a bus hold allows. It also saves you a taxi ride to a bus terminal at the start and a songthaew ride at the end.
How do I take the bus from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Roong Reuang Coach runs the main air-conditioned buses from three Bangkok boarding points to Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road. Its timetable says the trip takes about 2 hours depending on traffic, and asks you to be at the stop at least 15 minutes before departure (Roong Reuang: Bangkok Terminal to Pattaya).
| Boarding point | Departures to Pattaya | Fare | Where to buy and board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ekkamai Bus Terminal | Hourly, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 144 baht | Floor 1, counter 13; platform 1 |
| Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal (motorway bus) | Hourly, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 155 baht | Floor 1, counter 34; platform 42 |
| Bang Na stop (Bang Na-Trat road) | Hourly, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. | 144 baht | Tickets at the counter only |
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Ekkamai is the easy pick if you are staying on Sukhumvit: the terminal sits on Sukhumvit Road next to BTS Ekkamai. Mo Chit 2 is on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, near BTS Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak, so it suits the north of the city. Coming back, buses leave Pattaya for Ekkamai from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for Mo Chit 2 from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our Pattaya to Bangkok guide covers the return trip in detail.
Can I go straight from the airport to Pattaya?
Yes, from both Bangkok airports, without going into the city.
From Suvarnabhumi. Roong Reuang's counter is at level 1, gate 8. Its own timetable on November 2, 2026 showed departures at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at 135 baht (Roong Reuang: Airport to Pattaya). Airports of Thailand lists the Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya route running from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at about 140 to 190 baht and asks passengers to confirm the fare before travelling (AOT: Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya bus). The two sources do not match exactly, so check the operator's booking page for your date. AOT's operator page also notes that tickets are not refundable, that changing date or time needs at least 2 days' notice and costs 30 baht, that there are no child or senior fares, and that each passenger may bring 1 checked bag up to 20 kg plus 1 personal bag (AOT: Roong Reuang Coach).
From Don Mueang. The Transport Co. express bus to Pattaya runs from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., about every 4 hours, for 155 baht. Board at Terminal 1, floor 1, gate 1 or Terminal 2, floor 1, gate 11 (AOT: Don Mueang to Pattaya bus).
For more on the airport leg, see how to get to Pattaya from Bangkok airport.
Is there a train from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Yes, but it is the slow option. Pattaya station is on the State Railway of Thailand's Eastern Line, 155 km from Bangkok's main station and about 3 km east of downtown Pattaya, so you still need a ride into town at the far end (Wikipedia: Pattaya railway station). Services are few. SRT's timetable site did not load when we checked on November 2, 2026, so we are not quoting a departure time or fare here; check the State Railway of Thailand timetable at railway.co.th or ask at the station before you plan around it.
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya, and how long does it take?
Allow about two hours on Motorway 7 in normal traffic, the same time the bus company quotes for the drive, and more at Friday and holiday peaks. Bangkok taxis can run the meter or agree a fixed price for trips that end outside Bangkok: a Department of Land Transport notice, quoted by Airports of Thailand, allows drivers and passengers to agree the fare for long-distance hires (AOT: Don Mueang taxi service). Agree the price, and whether it includes tolls, before you get in. On a metered airport taxi, the passenger pays expressway and toll fees. From the airport taxi rank there is also a 50-baht airport surcharge, plus up to 21 baht for each bag over 26 inches and up to 20 baht for each normal-size bag from the third bag on.
To compare in-town fares first, see how much taxis cost in Bangkok, or book through an app with our Grab guide. If you would rather know the price in advance, a pre-booked private transfer (above) fixes it.
Is it better to stay in Bangkok or Pattaya?
It depends on the trip. Bangkok has the temples, markets, food and rooftop bars; Pattaya has the beach, islands such as Ko Lan about 7 km offshore, and resort hotels (Wikipedia: Pattaya). A common plan is to base in Bangkok and add a few nights in Pattaya. We compare the two in which is better, Bangkok or Pattaya, and if Bangkok is your base, start with where to stay in Bangkok.
Plan your trip
Book the Bangkok side of your stay and things to do before you head to the coast:
Frequently asked questions
How do I go to Pattaya from Bangkok? By private or shared transfer, by Roong Reuang bus from Ekkamai, Mo Chit 2 or Bang Na, by bus straight from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airport, by taxi, or by the slow Eastern Line train.
How far is Pattaya from Bangkok? About 150 km (93 miles) from central Bangkok and about 120 km by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
How long is a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya? About two hours on Motorway 7 in normal traffic, similar to the bus. Agree the fare and tolls before you set off.
How much is the bus from Bangkok to Pattaya? On November 2, 2026, Roong Reuang listed 144 baht from Ekkamai and Bang Na, 155 baht from Mo Chit 2 and 135 baht from Suvarnabhumi.
Which Bangkok bus terminal is best for Pattaya? Ekkamai, next to BTS Ekkamai, has the longest timetable, with hourly buses from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mo Chit 2 suits the north of the city.
Can I go to Pattaya directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport? Yes. Buses leave from level 1, gate 8, and shared and private transfers also run from the airport to Pattaya hotels.
Is 2 days enough for Pattaya? Two days covers the beach, an island day trip to Ko Lan and an evening on the town. Add a night if you want a slower pace.
Can I take the train from Bangkok to Pattaya? Yes. Pattaya station is on SRT's Eastern Line, but there are few trains and it is the slowest option. Check the SRT timetable before you go.
Sources
- Roong Reuang Coach: Bangkok Terminal to Pattaya
- Roong Reuang Coach: Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
- Bell Travel Service: transfers
- Airports of Thailand: Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya bus
- Airports of Thailand: Roong Reuang Coach at Suvarnabhumi
- Airports of Thailand: Don Mueang to Pattaya bus
- Airports of Thailand: Don Mueang taxi service
- Wikipedia: Pattaya
- Wikipedia: Pattaya railway station
- Wikipedia: Motorway 7 (Thailand)
Distances, bus fares and times, taxi rules and Klook ratings were checked November 2, 2026.