Day trips from Pattaya
In short
The best day trips from Pattaya are the Sanctuary of Truth, the temples south of town and Nong Nooch garden.
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Day tour ฿500, night tour ฿700 for adults (its own site)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
- Open daily 8am to 6pm (its own site)
- Wat Yannasangwararam
- Open daily 8am to 5pm (TAT)
- Drive from Central Pattaya
- About 15 minutes to the Sanctuary of Truth, 35 minutes to the temples, 1 hour 5 minutes to Bang Saen (Google Maps)
- Islands
- Koh Larn by private boat, for a day on the water
The day away from the beach
Pattaya's best day trips show you the other side of it: a carved wooden temple on the sea, a royal temple, a Buddha carved into a cliff face, a giant garden, an island, and a long lunch. Take your own car, do two or three stops in a day, and be back at the villa for sunset. These are one-day trips: every stop on this page is within 1 hour 5 minutes' drive of Central Pattaya, so nobody packs a bag. Tanner times the day so you're never in the midday sun at the wrong stop.
The Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is the carved wooden temple by the sea in Naklua, about 15 minutes' drive from Central Pattaya (Google Maps, checked November 2026), and it's the one to see if you only see one. Adults pay ฿500 for the day tour and ฿700 for the night tour; children from 110 to 140 cm pay ฿250 by day and ฿350 at night, and under 110 cm go free, the [Sanctuary of Truth's own site](https://sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.com/visit-us/) says. It's one price for Thai and foreign visitors. Day tickets are sold from 8am to 5pm, with tours from 8:20am to 6pm; night tickets from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, with night tours from 6:20pm to 8:30pm. Guided or audio tours run in Thai, English, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and Korean, and in Arabic except on Tuesday. Insider tip: take the night tour, then go straight on to dinner. Ask Tanner to book the night tour for the group.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Nong Nooch is the huge garden south of Pattaya, and it's the big day out for a mixed group. It's open daily from 8am to 6pm, and the Thai culture and elephant show runs at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm, [Nong Nooch's own site](https://www.nongnoochpattaya.com/th/booking) says. Foreign visitors pay ฿600 for entry only; the bus tour and the show cost extra. Insider tip: arrive for the 10:30am show, then walk the gardens before the midday heat. Tanner books the tickets, and the van waits at the gate.
Wat Yannasangwararam
Wat Yannasangwararam Woramahawihan is the big royal temple south of Pattaya, about 35 minutes' drive from Central Pattaya, and it's open daily from 8am to 5pm, the Tourism Authority of Thailand says. Dress for a temple: shoulders and knees covered. Pair it with Khao Chi Chan the same morning.
Khao Chi Chan
Khao Chi Chan is the giant Buddha image carved into a cliff face, in the Navy and Marine Corps area south of Pattaya, also about 35 minutes' drive. It's open daily from morning until 6pm, the Tourism Authority of Thailand's pages say. It's a short stop: see it, take the photo, and move on to lunch.
Island day trips from Pattaya
The best island day trip from Pattaya is Koh Larn, and the best way there is your own boat. The public ferry costs ฿40; our private boat day is the one for a group, with the DJ and the bar on board. Koh Phai, further out, is in the Royal Thai Navy's care. For the islands, the boats and what each one is like, see our [islands near Pattaya](/islands-near-pattaya) guide and [Pattaya to Koh Larn](/pattaya-to-koh-larn).
Further out: Bang Saray, Sriracha and Bang Saen
These trips sit further from town, so pick one and make a day of it. The drive times are from Central Pattaya on a Sunday morning (Google Maps, checked November 2026). Bang Saen is the beach town north of Sriracha. The MICHELIN Guide lists three Bang Saen restaurants, including Khao Lam Mae Khai Toon Klao, a Bib Gourmand. On Khao Sam Muk, the hill at the end of the beach, the shrine is more than 100 years old, and the monkeys grab bags, so keep yours zipped. Bang Saray and the coast south are in our [Na Jomtien and Bang Saray](/na-jomtien) guide. - Mabprachan Reservoir: about 20 min. The reservoir and its views. - Bang Saray pier: about 40 min. The pier and the crab bank. - Sriracha: about 45 min. The town on the bay north of Pattaya. - Bang Saen and Khao Sam Muk: about 1 h 5 min. A beach town and the monkey hill.
With kids or a mixed group
Two water parks and a zoo suit a family day. Ramayana Water Park is open daily from 11am to 6pm, except Wednesdays, its own site says. Further north in Si Racha, Khao Kheow Open Zoo runs daily shows, such as a penguin parade at 10am and 2pm, the zoo's own site says, and rents golf carts to get round. Tanner builds the day round the kids' times.
A day trip from Pattaya, planned
The easy full day starts with the temples while it's cool and ends with the Sanctuary of Truth at night. Tanner's pick for a group of 8 is this exact day, in your own van. With kids, swap the temples for Nong Nooch's 10:30am show. - Morning: Wat Yannasangwararam. Cooler, quieter, temple dress. - Late morning: Khao Chi Chan. A short photo stop. - Lunch: Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Lunch, then the 1:30pm show. - Afternoon: back at the villa. Pool time. - Evening: the Sanctuary of Truth night tour, then dinner.
The best day trip for your group
The best single day trip from Pattaya is the Sanctuary of Truth. For temples, do Wat Yannasangwararam and Khao Chi Chan together in one morning. For a mixed group, Nong Nooch, with lunch and a show. - For the water: Koh Larn by private boat. - For a long day out: Bang Saen, with lunch from the MICHELIN list. - For the horses: [horse riding in Pattaya](/horse-riding). Ask Tanner which mix suits your group.
Your own car for the day
The day trips are spread out inland and south of Pattaya, so the easy way is your own car, waiting at every stop. Our luxury van with a driver is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours for up to 4 guests, which covers the whole day, and Tanner matches the cars to your plan. See [transport in Pattaya](/transport). Back in town, the evening is yours: your [pool villa](/villas), a [private chef](/private-chef), then the [Pattaya nightclubs](/nightclubs). Licensed entertainment venues in Chonburi, including Pattaya, and licensed venues inside hotels may open until 4am; ordinary bars and restaurants close earlier, usually by 2am. [Plan it with Tanner](/plan). For a full day with your own driver, see [private tours in Pattaya](/private-tours).
Day trips from Pattaya: the short version
- Sanctuary of Truth: adults ฿500 by day, ฿700 at night; one price for everyone. - Nong Nooch: daily 8am to 6pm; shows at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm. - Temples: Wat Yannasangwararam daily 8am to 5pm; Khao Chi Chan from morning until 6pm. - Islands: Koh Larn by private boat. - Further out: Bang Saen, 1 hour 5 minutes, for the MICHELIN lunch and Khao Sam Muk. - Getting around: your own van, from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, up to 4. Checked November 2026
Questions
FAQ
What are the best day trips from Pattaya?
The Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yannasangwararam, Khao Chi Chan and Nong Nooch garden, plus Koh Larn by boat. In your own car, you can do three or four of the land stops in one day.
How much is the Sanctuary of Truth?
Adults pay ฿500 for the day tour and ฿700 for the night tour; children from 110 to 140 cm pay ฿250 or ฿350, and under 110 cm go free, its own site says.
What time is the Nong Nooch elephant show?
The Thai culture and elephant show runs at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm, Nong Nooch's own site says. The garden is open daily from 8am to 6pm, so the morning show leaves time for the gardens.
What are the opening hours of Wat Yannasangwararam?
Wat Yannasangwararam Woramahawihan is open daily from 8am to 5pm, the Tourism Authority of Thailand says. Cover your shoulders and knees, and pair it with Khao Chi Chan the same morning.
Is Khao Chi Chan worth visiting?
Yes, as a short stop: a giant Buddha image carved into a cliff face, about 35 minutes from Central Pattaya. It's open daily from morning until 6pm, the Tourism Authority of Thailand's pages say.
What is the best day trip from Pattaya with kids?
Nong Nooch's 10:30am show and the Valley of the Dinosaurs, or a water park: Ramayana is open from 11am to 6pm every day except Wednesday, its own site says. Your van waits at every stop.
What are the best island day trips from Pattaya?
Koh Larn is the island day trip from Pattaya, and a private boat is the best way for a group. The public ferry costs ฿40; our boat day carries the DJ and the bar on board.
How far are the day trips from Pattaya?
From Central Pattaya, the Sanctuary of Truth is about 15 minutes' drive, the temples about 35 minutes, Bang Saray pier about 40, Sriracha about 45 and Bang Saen 1 hour 5 minutes (Google Maps).
How do I get around on a day trip from Pattaya?
Take your own car: the stops are spread out. Our luxury van with a driver is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours for up to 4 guests, and it waits at every stop on the day.
Plan it
Plan it with Tanner
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