AIIn short
Bangkok to Pattaya is about 1 h 55 by car from Suvarnabhumi Airport, or longer by bus or train.
- Distance
- About 149 km from Suvarnabhumi, 160 km from Don Mueang (Google Maps)
- By road
- About 1 h 55 from Suvarnabhumi; Motorway 7 toll ฿105
- Cheapest
- The train or the airport bus
- For a group
- Party van, ฿3,500 each way, up to 10 guests
Every way there, side by side
- Time
- Slow; check the timetable
- Booking
- Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue Junction
- Fare
- Low fare; check at the station
Best by group size
1 or 2, light bags
- The best way:
- Airport bus 389 or the train
3 or 4
- The best way:
- Taxi or Grab, or our luxury van from ฿6,500 for 10 hours
5 to 10
- The best way:
- Our party van, ฿3,500 each way
More than 10
- The best way:
- Two vans, or a coach on request
How far is Bangkok to Pattaya, and how long does it take?
Bangkok to Pattaya is about 149 kilometres from Suvarnabhumi Airport, about 1 h 55 by car on Motorway 7 (Google Maps, checked November 2026).
Most groups land at Suvarnabhumi and drive straight down, so that's where this guide starts. Motorway 7 runs almost the whole way, and the Motorway Department's toll for a car from Bangkok to Pattaya is ฿105.
The bus adds a little time for stops, and the train takes the slow line. There's no flight worth taking, because the drive is shorter than an airport check-in.
What is the cheapest way from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The cheapest way from Bangkok to Pattaya is the train or the bus. State Railway of Thailand trains on the Pattaya line leave from Hua Lamphong and from Bang Sue Junction, and airport bus route 389 from Roong Reuang Coach boards at Suvarnabhumi, Level 1, Exit 8 (Airports of Thailand). A taxi is metered, plus tolls and the ฿50 airport fee, and Grab shows the fare in the app before you book.
For a group, our party van is ฿3,500 each way for up to 10 guests, and our luxury van with a driver is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours for up to 4. The train and the bus suit two people with light bags; with suitcases and a group, the price gap closes fast. Fares can move on holidays, so check before you go.
Car or taxi on Motorway 7
- Time:
- About 1 h 55 from Suvarnabhumi
- Cost:
- Taxi metered, plus tolls (฿105) and the ฿50 airport fee
- Best for:
- 3 or 4 people with light bags
Airport bus, route 389
- Time:
- A little longer, with stops
- Cost:
- Fare set by the operator; book ahead in high season
- Best for:
- One or two people, light bags
Train, Pattaya line
- Time:
- Slow; only a few a day
- Cost:
- One of the cheapest ways
- Best for:
- A cheap, slow day out
Our party van
- Time:
- About 1 h 55
- Cost:
- ฿3,500 each way, up to 10 guests
- Best for:
- A group with bags
Our luxury van with a driver
- Time:
- About 1 h 55
- Cost:
- From ฿6,500 for 10 hours, up to 4
- Best for:
- A small group, and the rest of the day
Bangkok to Pattaya bus: where does it leave from?
The Bangkok to Pattaya bus leaves from two main places: the airport, and Mo Chit in the city. From Suvarnabhumi, Roong Reuang Coach route 389 boards at Level 1, Exit 8, and from the city, The Transport Co. runs the Mo Chit to Pattaya bus, route 9005. Book the airport bus ahead in high season, because seats sell out. The bus drops you at a station, so you still need a ride to the villa, and for a group with luggage the bus plus onward taxis often costs close to a private transfer.
Bangkok to Pattaya train: is it worth it?
The Bangkok to Pattaya train is worth it for a cheap, slow day out: State Railway of Thailand trains on the Pattaya line leave from Hua Lamphong and from Bang Sue Junction. It's one of the cheapest ways to Pattaya and the most scenic, but it runs only a few times a day. Pattaya railway station is in Nong Prue, on the inland side of Sukhumvit Road, about 2 km east of Pattaya City Hall (Google Maps), so you need a ride on from there. With suitcases, or a group off an international flight, the train rarely makes sense. Check the day's timetable at the station, because services can change.
Bangkok to Pattaya taxi: how much is it?
A taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya is metered at Department of Land Transport rates, plus motorway tolls and the ฿50 airport fee paid to the driver (Airports of Thailand).
At Suvarnabhumi, the taxi rank is on Level 1 between Gates 4 and 7, and Grab picks up at Level 1, Gate 4, with the fare shown up front. Separate cars rarely arrive together.
Our Bangkok to Pattaya private transfer takes up to 10 guests for ฿3,500 each way, from arrivals or your hotel straight to the villa: one van, one bill, and the whole group arrives together.
Which Bangkok airport is best for Pattaya?
Suvarnabhumi is the best Bangkok airport for Pattaya: it sits on the Pattaya side of the city, 149 kilometres away, about 1 h 55 by car (Google Maps, checked November 2026).
Don Mueang, used by many budget flights, is about 2 h 05 and 160 kilometres away, and the airport bus to Pattaya leaves from Suvarnabhumi only.
At Suvarnabhumi, our airport fast track is a private meet-and-assist: our host meets you at the gate, using the priority lane where your ticket or status allows. If flights land at different times, one van per flight stops anyone waiting for hours.
When is the best time to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya?
The best time to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya is early morning or late evening; Friday afternoon is the worst, when Bangkok heads for the coast. Holiday weekends and Songkran fill the road. In late 2026, the Bank of Thailand lists Monday 7 December, Thursday 10 December and Thursday 31 December as holidays, and Tomorrowland Thailand runs from 11 to 13 December 2026 at Wisdom Valley near Pattaya, the busiest weekend of the year. Mid-week is the quietest time to drive, and there are big service stations on Motorway 7 for a break.
Is it worth going to Pattaya from Bangkok?
Yes. In about two hours you swap the city for a pool villa, a boat day to Koh Larn and the Pattaya nightclubs. The public ferry to Koh Larn from Bali Hai Pier costs ฿40 per person per trip (Prachachat). Under the Interior Ministry's Ministerial Regulation No. 3 of 2023, licensed entertainment venues in Chonburi can open until 4am; ordinary bars close earlier, usually by 2am. Two or three days is the right length for most groups.
Pattaya to Bangkok and the airports: how do you get back?
Pattaya to Bangkok works the same way in reverse: the bus, a taxi or Grab, or our party van at ฿3,500 each way, about 1 h 55 to Suvarnabhumi. Airports of Thailand advises arriving at least 3 hours before an international flight, so leave Pattaya about 5 hours before take-off. Don Mueang is about 2 h 05 by car. Flying domestic from U-Tapao? It's only about 40 minutes from central Pattaya: see U-Tapao to Pattaya.
Bangkok to Pattaya: the short version
- Distance: about 149 km from Suvarnabhumi, 160 km from Don Mueang (Google Maps).
- Time: about 1 h 55 by car from Suvarnabhumi; Motorway 7 toll ฿105.
- Cheapest: the train from Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue Junction, or airport bus 389 from Exit 8.
- Taxi: metered, plus tolls and the ฿50 airport fee; Grab shows the fare up front.
- For a group: our party van, ฿3,500 each way, up to 10 guests.
- Checked November 2026
Tanner's offer
Your own van, arrivals to the villa
Our party van takes up to 10 guests for ฿3,500 each way. The driver meets you with a sign, tracks the flight and goes straight to the villa.
See the private option →When you land
When you land at Suvarnabhumi
The taxi rank is on Level 1 between Gates 4 and 7, Grab picks up at Level 1, Gate 4, and airport bus 389 boards at Level 1, Exit 8 (Airports of Thailand). Our driver waits in arrivals with your name.
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated
Questions
Questions about Bangkok to Pattaya
What is the best way to go from Bangkok to Pattaya?
For two people with light bags, the airport bus, route 389 from Suvarnabhumi Level 1, Exit 8. For a group with luggage, our party van from arrivals to the villa, ฿3,500 each way for up to 10 guests.
How long is Bangkok to Pattaya?
About 1 h 55 by car from Suvarnabhumi Airport, 149 kilometres on Motorway 7 (Google Maps, checked November 2026). From Don Mueang it is about 2 h 05 and 160 kilometres. The bus and train take longer.
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya?
A taxi from Suvarnabhumi is metered, plus motorway tolls and the ฿50 airport fee paid to the driver (Airports of Thailand). Grab shows the fare up front. Our party van is ฿3,500 each way, up to 10 guests.
Is there a Bangkok to Pattaya train?
Yes. State Railway of Thailand trains on the Pattaya line leave from Hua Lamphong and from Bang Sue Junction. They are slow and run only a few times a day, so check the timetable at the station first.
Is there a Bangkok to Pattaya bus from the airport?
Yes. Roong Reuang Coach route 389 to Pattaya boards at Suvarnabhumi, Level 1, Exit 8 (Airports of Thailand). Book ahead in high season, because seats sell out, and check times with the operator.
How do I get from Pattaya to Bangkok airport?
By bus, by metered taxi or Grab, or in our party van for up to 10 guests at ฿3,500 each way. The drive to Suvarnabhumi takes about 1 h 55 (Google Maps, checked November 2026).
How early should I leave Pattaya for a flight?
About 5 hours before an international flight from Suvarnabhumi. Airports of Thailand advises arriving at least 3 hours before, and the drive takes about 2 hours. Allow a little more for Don Mueang.
Can you fly from Bangkok to Pattaya?
There's no flight worth taking. The drive from Suvarnabhumi is about 1 h 55 (Google Maps), shorter than checking in, waiting and flying. Our party van goes straight from arrivals to your villa.
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Where are you now?
Last checked 7 November 2026