Known as the most famous resort town in Thailand, Pattaya is the perfect place to stay if you want your holiday to fill with sunshine, fresh air and golden sand. However, your holiday in Pattaya would turn into a nightmare if you have problems with transport traveling. So grab a pen and note down these helpful tips.
From Bangkok to Pattaya
By taxi
Nothing beats a taxi for door-to-door convenience! Of course a taxi will cost more than other options but when you consider the convenience and it’s often worth paying the higher price.
It’s about 150 kilometres (94 miles) from Bangkok to Pattaya, and how long it takes to drive between the two does depend on traffic. You’d usually be looking at a max of 2 hours in off-peak times but this can be more during rush hour and on Fridays as everyone heads down to Pattaya for the weekend. Part of the appeal of Pattaya is the weekend vibe of the city, but it’s lively any day of the week if you’re worried about a horrendously long drive on a Friday.
If you want to go straight from the airport to Pattaya, a trick is to come out of the airport on the departure level. Taxis will be dropping off passengers at this level but generally there aren’t many people to pick up. If you can grab a taxi here you’ll be saving money because the driver doesn’t have to pay the airport fee of 50 baht.
By bus
Buses are considerably cheaper than taxis when going from Bangkok to Pattaya. There is a regular and frequent service between the two cities so with multiple buses departing every day you shouldn’t have a problem getting a ticket for one. Of course, being a cheaper option, a bus from Bangkok to Pattaya does have a few drawbacks – it’s not door to door service for one thing so you’ll still have to get yourself to the bus station in Bangkok and from the bus station once you get to Pattaya. If you have a lot of luggage with you this can be a hassle. You’ll also be sharing a bus with plenty other people so if you prefer peace and privacy when travelling then a bus is not the way for you!
Transport in Pattaya
Songthaew or Minibus
Sngthaew literally means two rows. It is a minibus or sometimes called a Baht bus in English. Songthaew in Pattaya is small pick-up trucks in dark blue colour with canopy on the top. The service is available all around Pattaya. White songthaews run on Sukhumvit Rd. and go towards Si Racha and Sattahip. You can wave at them wherever you are and press the buzzer when you reach your destination. They will pick up other passengers all the way they run. The routes vary. Therefore, it is best to ask before boarding. Usually, the fare is around 10 Baht for short destination. For longer destination for example from Jomtien to Naklua costs around 20 Baht. Songthaew can also be chartered for private group or alone. The fare should be negotiated beforehand.
Motorbike taxi
Motorbike taxi is possibly the quickest way to travel around the town but may be less safe than other types of transport. They are less expensive than a Songtaew charter. Their stations scatter around the town but it is also possible to flag down one that pass by along the road. The motorbike taxi drivers can be identified by vest top uniform with number on the back but colours can vary according to their based station. The fares vary according to the distance of the destination. Trips around inner parts of the town can cost around 30 – 40 Baht.
Bicycle
Bicycle is a good way to discover Pattaya. It is healthy, environmentally-friendly and cheap. There are less bicycle rental services than the motorcycle or car. Most of them can be found at the motorbike rental shops or you can buy one for the trip at malls or hypermarkets but these bikes may be not in a very good quality. Specialised bicycle shops have more options and better quality to choose from. They are also available at some hotels and resorts but may be only for their guests only.
One thing you should bear in mind is that Pattaya City is divided into three areas, so when you are in Pattaya, you should tell the driver where exactly you want to go. Naklua is in the north, this area is quite peaceful, but the beach isn’t clear and muddy. The Center attracts many tourists with two long streets, full of color and music at night. The southern area is Jomtien, located at the other side of the mountain. There are many nice restaurants in which both tourists and local people can have a fine dinner while chatting and enjoying the fresh air of the coastal area.
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