By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published October 20, 2026
The easiest cheap way from Bangkok to Pattaya is the bus from Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal: around 144 baht and roughly 2 hours. A taxi or Grab costs about 1,200–1,500 baht plus tolls and takes about 1.5–2 hours door to door. If you’re flying in, direct buses leave Suvarnabhumi Airport for Pattaya, and there’s a slow, scenic 31-baht train once a day.
Pattaya is about 150 km south-east of Bangkok, and I make the trip for gigs often enough to have tried every option — the early bus with a controller bag, a shared car after a late Saturday, the train once just for the experience. There’s no wrong answer, but there’s usually an obvious right one depending on your budget, luggage and where you start.
Bus from Ekkamai: about 144 baht, roughly 2 hours, departures through the day. Taxi or Grab: about 1,200–1,500 baht plus tolls, door to door. From Suvarnabhumi: direct buses from Level 1, around 135–158 baht. Train: 31 baht and almost four hours, once a day. There are no flights between the two cities.
All the Options at a Glance
| Option | Price (approx.) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus from Ekkamai | 144 baht | ~2 hrs | Most travellers staying on Sukhumvit |
| Bus from Mo Chit | 155 baht | ~2.5 hrs | North Bangkok and Chatuchak |
| Bus from Suvarnabhumi | 135–158 baht | ~2 hrs | Going straight from the airport |
| Minivan | 200–430 baht | 2–2.5 hrs | Hotel areas with pickup deals |
| Train (ordinary) | 31 baht | ~3 hrs 40 min | Slow travel and the scenery |
| Taxi / Grab / Bolt | 1,200–1,500 baht + tolls | 1.5–2 hrs | Groups, luggage, late nights |
| Private transfer | 1,000–2,200 baht | 1.5–2 hrs | Families and fixed pickups |
Fares and timetables change, so treat these as guides and check on the day. For getting around once you’re back in the city, see how to get around Bangkok.
By Bus: The Best Value
Buses to Pattaya are frequent, air-conditioned and comfortable. Most run to the North Pattaya bus terminal, where songthaews (baht buses) and motorbike taxis take you on to your hotel.
- Ekkamai (Eastern Bus Terminal): right next to BTS Ekkamai on Sukhumvit, which makes it the easiest start for most visitors. Around 144 baht, about 2 hours, with departures from early morning until late evening.
- Mo Chit 2 (Northern Bus Terminal): useful if you’re staying in the north of the city. Around 155 baht and about 2.5 hours.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport: buses leave from Level 1 near Gate 8, around 135 baht to North Pattaya or about 158 baht to Jomtien. Ideal if you’re heading straight to the beach — see the Suvarnabhumi airport guide for the arrivals layout.
- Don Mueang Airport: there’s a direct airport bus a few times a day, but connections are thinner. More in the Don Mueang airport guide.
Buy tickets at the terminal counter or through a booking app. At busy times — Friday evenings, long weekends and Songkran — buy in advance, or arrive early.
By Train: Slow but Cheap
A daily ordinary third-class train leaves Hua Lamphong station in the early morning and arrives in Pattaya just under four hours later, for 31 baht. There are no reservations, no air-conditioning and plenty of local life — which is exactly why some people love it. On weekends there has also been a faster air-conditioned service that needs booking in advance. Check the State Railway of Thailand website for current times, as schedules change.
Pattaya’s train station is on the edge of town, so you’ll still need a songthaew or Grab to your hotel.
By Taxi, Grab or Private Transfer
If you have heavy luggage, a group of three or four, or you’re travelling late at night, a car is often the smartest choice. Split between four people, it’s not much more than the bus plus onward transport.
- Grab or Bolt: about 1,200–1,500 baht for a standard car, with motorway tolls usually added. The fare is fixed before you book.
- Pre-booked private transfer: around 1,000–1,600 baht from Suvarnabhumi or about 1,200–2,200 baht from a Bangkok hotel, depending on vehicle size. Tolls are often included.
- Street taxi: drivers usually quote a flat fare rather than using the meter for long trips. Agree on the price, and who pays tolls, before you get in.
Keep your phone charged and data on for the app — a local SIM or eSIM helps; see the SIM card guide.
Which Should You Choose?
| If you… | Take… |
|---|---|
| Are on a budget, travelling light | The bus from Ekkamai |
| Are landing at Suvarnabhumi | The direct airport bus or a pre-booked transfer |
| Are three or four people with bags | Grab or a private car |
| Want the experience, not the speed | The morning train |
| Are leaving after midnight | Grab or a private car |
There are no flights between Bangkok and Pattaya, and the long-planned high-speed rail line isn’t running. For background on the city itself, see Pattaya on Wikipedia. For other escapes from the city, read day trips from Bangkok.
A Note From NaJade
When I have a gig in Pattaya, I take the bus from Ekkamai in the afternoon. It’s cheap, the seats are fine, and two hours with headphones on is the best set-prep time I get all week. Coming home after a late set is different — no buses, tired legs, a bag full of gear — so I book a car and split it with whoever’s heading back too. The only mistake I’d warn you about is trying to leave Bangkok on a Friday evening by road; traffic out of the city can add an hour or more. Go earlier, or go Saturday morning. If you’re heading further, Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a very different trip.
More: how to get around Bangkok, day trips from Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi airport to the city, and how much a Bangkok trip costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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About the Author
NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand — and has lived in the city long enough to have made every one of these mistakes at least once. Find him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
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