Pattaya is a top destination for travelers to Thailand, and getting there from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is easy! The two most popular options are the airport bus and private taxi.
Direct Bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the only Bangkok airport with a direct bus to Pattaya. If you want a budget-friendly way to reach Pattaya, the airport bus is a great choice.
Bus from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Pattaya
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the only airport with a direct bus to Pattaya. This makes it super-easy if Pattaya is your first or only stop when coming to Thailand.
As we know there may be a lot of bus tutorials on the Internet, but are the facts and details really as convenient as they say?
Even if you go to Pattaya once every few years or several times a year, unless you want to find the meaning of life in chill and slow travel, private taxi service will be more suitable for most travelers.
If you are interested in knowing about the airport bus to Pattaya, please read the following article.
Airport Bus
Actual measurement during low season tourism October 25th, my flight arrived at Bangkok Airport on time at 15:35 pm. Since mid-October is the low season, there were not many visitors at the immigration. It only took about an hour to get out of customs without waiting in a long queue. Furthermore, I only have my carry-on baggage, so I go out directly without waiting luggage.
Because I knew the time is tight, so I didn’t go to the money exchange, once I left customs, I took the escalator down from the second floor (Arrivals) and went down to the counter at Gate 8 on the first floor (Public Transportations) to buy a bus ticket to Pattaya. My goal was to take the bus to Pattaya. I target to take the bus at 17:00.
While I arrived to the counter at 16:30, the ticket of 17:00 was sold out already , and the next bus is at 18:00, so I had to wait at the airport for 1.5 hours more, and then take a 2 hours ride to Pattaya.
Bus schedule - from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya (Bell TravelServices)
https://airportpattayabus.com/
7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:0018:00 19:00 20:00 21:00
There are two types of bus fares: 190 baht and 300 baht190 baht to arrive at Pattaya North Bus Station
300 baht is required after arriving at Pattaya North Bus Station, and then a shuttle transfer will take you to the hotel
*There will be an additional charge of 100 baht if your hotel is not in downtown area
The shuttle transfer is taken to the hotel with other passengers. Since my hotel is not in the city area this time, I chose the 190 baht to arrive Pattaya North Bus Station, in order to avoid sending other passengers off first and arriving my hotel at last. (a conservative estimate that it will take 45-60 minutes for the last passengers to get off the shuttle transfer). which means I need to find a taxi / songthaew when I arrive Pattaya bus station.
After waiting for a while, the counter had already changed the next bus to 19:00. I looked at my ticket and saw that it was seat no. 10. When I bought the ticket, there were already 9 passengers waiting longer than me.
After waiting until it’s almost time, go to look for the busoutside Gate 8
The seats in the bus are spacious and there is a restroom. Just like on an airplane, the seats are assigned seat numbers, so remember not to sit randomly.
There was an incident before departure. There were two groups ofpassengers with the same seat number. Since they were foreigners and Thais, there was difficulty in communication. The quarrel lasted for about 5 minutes. Finally, it was discovered that the passenger was the next bus (19:00). Wait for the passengers who got on the wrong bus to retrieve their luggage before
departing. After settling everything, it is about 11 minutes late.
In addition, during the 2 hours since departure, two malepassengers were very excited and chatted very loudly throughout the process. In the end, I needed to wear headphones before I can take a nap.
It took two hours to arrive at the Pattaya bus station at about 20:00. The journey was 15 - 20 minutes longer than expected but it was acceptable. After getting off the bus, I found a taxi to take me to the hotel. The first driver ask for 400 baht. The second drivers also ask for 400 baht. After taking the bus for two hours, I was already very tired. I found three or four taxi drivers who also ask for the same price. Finally, I used the phone app Bolt to call a taxi and waited for 6 minutes for 110 baht.
Because I was afraid, I deliberately chose the Bolt pick-up location a little far away from the bus station. Although the taxi drivers kept watching, he did not harass the Bolt driver. (The news sometimes report that Bolt driver has conflicts with taxi drivers, so for the sake of safety, I do not mind to walk extra steps)
Summarize:
Compare using taxi service traveling to Pattaya, this experiment is to see how much time difference and how much money could save. After doing this test, I won’t choose to take the bus to Pattaya next time. Travel time is too precious (1.5 hours should be spent on massage instead of waiting) car).
You may ask why you don’t make an appointment online in advance, because there are too many uncertainties
For example:
How long does it take to pass the customs?
Will the flight be delayed?
Do friends traveling with me need a visa on arrival?
If you don’t have Thai baht, you have to go to money exchangefirst, do I need to queue up at the money exchange?
Booking a schedule bus too early or too late is also a problem
*Tips:*
1. Buy your ticket early as buses can sell out.
2. If you want door-to-door service, consider the shuttle option or a private taxi.
3. Taking the bus saves some money, but if you value time or travel with family, a private taxi is faster and more convenient.
In conclusion
While the airport bus is cheap, the total cost (bus + taxi) isn’t much less than a direct taxi, and you’ll spend more time waiting. For comfort and speed, especially with kids or lots of luggage, book a private airport transfer to Pattaya.
Book your private taxi to Pattaya with Nakky Tour for a faster, hassle-free ride!
From BKK Airport to Pattaya Hotel
Sedan - (1-3 passengers, with 2 pieces of 24–28” luggage) – 1400 baht
SUV - (2-4 passengers, with 4 pieces of 24–28” luggage) – 1600 baht
Mini Van - (5-10 passengers with carry-on luggage, or 9 passengers with 5 pieces of 24–28” luggage) – 2200 baht
If you need to book a private taxi transfer, please visit to the following website of Nakky Tour
https://en.nakkyprivatecar.com/ or contact us at nakkyprivatecar@gmail.com
Bangkok Airport to Downtown & Pattaya |24hr Pick-up Bangkok 900฿ & Pattaya 1400฿ | Quick Easy Reliable Booking | English and Thai Booking | Private Car Taxi Transfer | Customize your own route and itinerary around the city
