Pattaya sits about 150 km southeast of Bangkok — roughly a 90-minute to two-hour drive. Whether you're coming straight from the airport or from the city, here's every option compared, with real times and costs.
The short version
Fastest & easiest: private taxi / transfer — ~1.5–2 hrs, ฿1,200–1,800.
Cheapest: public bus from Ekkamai/Mo Chit — ฿130–260.
From the airport: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is closest — bus, taxi or transfer.
Every option compared
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi / transfer | 1.5–2 hrs | ฿1,200–1,800 | Door-to-door ease, groups, luggage |
| Bus (Ekkamai / Mo Chit) | ~2 hrs | ฿130–260 | Budget, solo travellers |
| Minivan | ~2 hrs | ฿200–300 | A bit faster than the bus |
| Bus from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | ~2 hrs | ~฿130 | Straight from the airport, cheap |
| Taxi from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | 1.5–2 hrs | ฿1,200–1,800 | Arriving with bags, no transfers |
Straight from the airport
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the closest airport — about 1.5–2 hours from Pattaya and the one to fly into if you can. The Roong Reuang Coach runs direct to Pattaya for around ฿130, or grab a private transfer or metered taxi. Don Muang (DMK) is further north of Bangkok, so it takes longer; many people transfer via Suvarnabhumi or take a private car.
From the city
From central Bangkok, the bus from Ekkamai (Eastern terminal) or Mo Chit is the cheap, frequent choice. A private taxi or pre-booked transfer is the easy one — fixed price, door to door, ideal with luggage or a group. Leave outside Bangkok's rush hours and the trip is noticeably quicker.
Once you're here
Getting around Pattaya itself is baht-buses and a rented scooter or car — sort that next.
→ Getting around PattayaCommon questions
How do you get from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Private taxi (~฿1,200–1,800, 1.5–2 hrs), bus from Ekkamai/Mo Chit (฿130–260), or minivan. ~150 km.
How do you get from the airport to Pattaya?
Suvarnabhumi is closest — Roong Reuang bus (~฿130), taxi or transfer. Don Muang takes longer.
How long does it take?
About 1.5–2 hours by road, traffic depending.
// Plan your trip — Pattaya Authority network
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