Getting around · Pattaya · Thailand
Getting around Pattaya
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Pattaya's main transport is the baht bus, a shared pick-up truck that loops along Beach Road and Second Road, plus ride-hailing apps, motorbike taxis and rented scooters. Attractions south of the city are best reached by taxi or a hired car with driver. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Bus
- Airports
- UTP, BKK
- Need a car?
- No
Ways to get around
Bus
Baht buses (songthaews) run one-way loops along Beach Road and Second Road and on fixed routes to Naklua and Jomtien; flag one down and press the buzzer to stop.
Pay the standard fare when you get off on the main loops, and agree a price first if you want a private charter.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Bolt operate across Pattaya and show the fare before you book.
Taxi
Motorbike taxis wear numbered vests and wait at street corners for short hops; agree the fare before getting on.
Scooter
Scooters are widely rented, but traffic is heavy and accidents are common.
Ride only with a motorcycle licence and helmet, as police checks are frequent.
Ferry
Public ferries run from Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn in about 30–45 minutes, and speedboats in about 15 minutes.
Walking
The beachfront promenade and Walking Street are pleasant on foot in the evening, but distances between areas are long in the heat.
From the airport
U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is about 40 km south of the city, about 45 minutes by taxi. Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok is about 120 km away; airport buses and taxis take about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
Do you need a car?
No. Baht buses, ride-hailing and taxis cover the city; hire a car with driver for a day to visit Nong Nooch, Khao Chi Chan and attractions further south.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Samet | About 2 hours by road and ferry | Minibus or car to Ban Phe pier, then ferry |
| Khao Kheow Open Zoo | About 45 minutes by car | Car or taxi |
| Bang Saen and Nong Mon market | About 1 hour by car | Car or bus towards Chonburi |
| Koh Si Chang | About 1.5 hours by car and ferry | Car to Si Racha, then ferry |
| Bangkok | About 2–2.5 hours by bus or car | Bus from Pattaya to Ekkamai or Mo Chit, or car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Pattaya?
No. Baht buses, ride-hailing and taxis cover the city; hire a car with driver for a day to visit Nong Nooch, Khao Chi Chan and attractions further south.
+How do you get from the airport to Pattaya?
U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is about 40 km south of the city, about 45 minutes by taxi. Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok is about 120 km away; airport buses and taxis take about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
+What is the best way to get around Pattaya?
Bus: Baht buses (songthaews) run one-way loops along Beach Road and Second Road and on fixed routes to Naklua and Jomtien; flag one down and press the buzzer to stop.