Pattaya at a glance: who it suits, how long to stay
Pattaya stretches along a bay in Chonburi province, in Bang Lamung district. The town splits into a few easy-to-remember areas: Naklua to the north, more residential, home to the Sanctuary of Truth; central Pattaya, with its long beach lined by Beach Road and the pedestrian Walking Street at its southern end; Pratumnak Hill, which separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien Bay; and Jomtien, a longer and quieter beach popular with families.
The trip suits travellers who want to see the sea without flying after a stay in Bangkok. Don't expect a postcard beach in the town centre: the water in Pattaya Bay is busy with boats and jet skis. For white sand and turquoise water, head to Koh Larn island. A day trip is possible, but with four to six hours of travel in total, one or two nights on the coast let you enjoy the island and the Sanctuary without rushing.
Getting to Pattaya from Bangkok
By bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit
The bus is the simplest and cheapest option. From the centre, leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), right by BTS Ekkamai station on the Sukhumvit line: Roong Reuang Coach runs frequent departures there from early morning until the evening. A ticket costs about 144 to 148 baht at the counter and the ride takes two to three hours depending on traffic. This terminal is especially handy if you are staying in Sukhumvit.
From the north of the city, the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2), near Chatuchak Market, also has coaches to Pattaya, less frequent and slightly more expensive (about 155 baht). Both routes arrive at the North Pattaya Road bus station, from where you reach the beach by songthaew, taxi or ride-hailing app.
Buy your ticket at the counter on the day on weekdays; on Friday evenings, at weekends and on Thai public holidays coaches fill up, so book online or turn up early.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
If you are flying in and heading straight to the sea, there is no need to go through central Bangkok. The bus counter for Pattaya is on level 1 of the terminal, near gates 7 and 8. Roong Reuang Coach runs route 389 to Pattaya there, with regular departures during the day; expect 130 to 160 baht depending on the stop (Pattaya or Jomtien) and about two hours on the road. Bell Travel Service also runs coaches with hotel drop-off, bookable in advance and more expensive. Other options from the airport are covered in our guide to Bangkok's airports.
By train: slow but scenic
Ordinary train no. 283 leaves Hua Lamphong station (MRT Hua Lamphong) every day at 6:55 am and reaches Pattaya station around 10:30 am, after about three and a half hours. It has only fan-cooled third-class carriages, with no reservations or numbered seats; the ticket, bought at the station, costs a few tens of baht. The return train (no. 284) leaves Pattaya in the early afternoon. On Saturdays and Sundays, a faster special train (no. 997 outbound, leaving at 6:45 am and arriving around 9:15 am; no. 998 back, leaving Pattaya around 4:25 pm) costs 170 baht and can be booked in advance on the SRT online ticketing site. Timetables change with the seasons: confirm them at the station or with the SRT (hotline 1690).
Pattaya station lies east of town, on the far side of Sukhumvit Road, several kilometres from the beach: plan on a songthaew or a ride-hailing car for the last leg.
By taxi or ride-hailing car
A taxi or a car booked through an app (Grab, Bolt) drops you at your hotel in an hour and a half to two hours outside rush hour. Expect to pay generally 1,500 to 2,500 baht depending on your starting point, the time and the type of vehicle, plus motorway tolls, paid in cash by the passenger (around 100 to 200 baht). For a taxi hailed in the street, agree on the total price, with or without tolls, before setting off. For three or four people, this option quickly comes close to the bus fare for far more comfort. For apps and taxis in Bangkok, see our guide to getting around Bangkok.
Summary table: Bangkok–Pattaya
| Option | From | Duration | Price (adult, one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roong Reuang bus | Eastern Bus Terminal (BTS Ekkamai) | 2 to 3 hrs | about 144 to 148 baht | Most travellers |
| Bus | Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) | 2.5 to 3 hrs | about 155 baht | Hotels in north Bangkok |
| Bus route 389 | Suvarnabhumi Airport, level 1 | about 2 hrs | 130 to 160 baht | Arriving by air |
| Ordinary train no. 283 | Hua Lamphong station, 6:55 am | about 3.5 hrs | a few tens of baht | Tight budgets, train lovers |
| Special train no. 997 (weekends) | Hua Lamphong station, 6:45 am | about 2.5 hrs | 170 baht | Weekend day trip |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Door to door | 1.5 to 2 hrs | 1,500 to 2,500 baht, plus tolls | Families, groups, luggage |
Prices checked in October 2026; they may vary by day and operator.
Getting around Pattaya
The local transport is the songthaew, a pick-up truck with two benches nicknamed the "baht bus". It loops along Beach Road (southbound) and Second Road (northbound) and also runs to Naklua and Jomtien. Since 10 April 2026, a ride costs 15 baht up to 10 km and 20 baht beyond, for example to Jomtien or Naklua. Wave to get on, press the buzzer to get off and pay the driver when you step down, with small change. If you board an empty songthaew and the driver takes you alone, he treats it as a private hire: agree the price first.
Ride-hailing apps work well in Pattaya for longer trips, notably to the Sanctuary of Truth or Nong Nooch garden. Scooter rental is widespread, but traffic is heavy: never leave your passport as a deposit, as our guide to scams to avoid explains.
What to do in Pattaya
The Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is Pattaya's most striking sight: a huge building made entirely of carved wood, standing by the sea in Naklua, on Pattaya-Naklua Road. Its facades mix Hindu deities, Buddhist figures and Southeast Asian motifs, and construction, which began in the 1980s, is still going on: you will see carvers at work. It is the creation of Lek Viriyaphant, who also built the Ancient City and the Erawan Museum near Bangkok.
It opens daily from 8 am to 6 pm (last entry around 5 pm); an illuminated night visit runs from 6:20 pm to 8:30 pm. A daytime ticket costs 500 baht per adult and 250 baht per child, guided tour included (in Thai, English, Russian or Chinese). Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees and allow about two hours.
The beaches: Pattaya, Jomtien and Pratumnak Hill
Pattaya Beach, about 3 km long along Beach Road, is better for a sunset stroll than for swimming. Jomtien, south of Pratumnak Hill, has a longer beach and a calmer atmosphere, with seafood restaurants and water sports.
Between the two, Pratumnak Hill (Khao Phra Tamnak) is home to the golden Big Buddha of Wat Phra Yai and a free viewpoint over the bay: the best spot for a wide shot of the town, especially in the late afternoon.
Koh Larn island
Koh Larn (or Ko Lan), about 7 km offshore, is the best reason to come to Pattaya for the beach. Public ferries leave from Bali Hai Pier, at the southern end of Walking Street, and reach Na Ban Pier in about 45 minutes; a few morning sailings go straight to Tawaen Beach. The crossing costs 40 baht since 10 April 2026, in cash. The last ferry back leaves Na Ban around 6 pm: don't miss it. Speedboats, more expensive, take 15 to 20 minutes.
On the island, motorbike taxis and songthaews take you to the beaches: Tawaen, the busiest and best equipped, Samae, quieter and often considered the most beautiful, or Nual and Ta Yai. Avoid weekends if you can, when the island is very crowded, and note that crossings can be cancelled in bad weather from May to October.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and Walking Street
About 18 km south of Pattaya, in Sattahip district, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden spreads themed gardens, palm and orchid collections and traditional dance shows over a vast estate. It opens daily from 8 am to 6 pm; allow half a day and take a ride-hailing car or an organised tour to get there.
In the evening, Walking Street, south of the beach, becomes pedestrian: bars, nightclubs, seafood restaurants and neon. The atmosphere is very lively and largely adults-only; check prices on the menu before ordering.
Day trip or overnight stay?
For a day trip, pick one highlight: the Sanctuary of Truth and a walk on Pratumnak Hill, or Koh Larn. Take an early bus from Ekkamai (or the weekend special train), and head back in the late afternoon to avoid returning after dark in traffic.
With one or two nights, you can spend a full day on Koh Larn, visit the Sanctuary and Nong Nooch, and enjoy the evening. Stay in Jomtien or on Pratumnak Hill for peace and quiet and for families, near Beach Road to go out on foot, or in Naklua to be close to the Sanctuary.
The best time is November to February, the dry and slightly cooler season; our guide to the best time to visit Bangkok details the climate, which also applies to the coast. On long weekends and Thai public holidays, book your bus and hotel in advance.
Further reading
For a cultural rather than seaside trip, compare with Ayutthaya, the former capital listed by UNESCO, or with Kanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai. To get around Bangkok before and after Pattaya, our guide to getting around Bangkok covers the BTS, MRT and taxis, and our guide to Bangkok's airports helps if you head straight to the sea on arrival.
