The Airport-to-Pattaya Run
Pattaya is 120km southeast of BKK airport. Thousands of tourists make this transfer every week — it's the second most popular airport-to-destination route in Thailand (after BKK to Bangkok city).
Here's every way to do it, ranked by practicality.
Private Transfer: 1,100-1,500 Baht
A private car or SUV from BKK to Pattaya is the most popular option for good reason. Door-to-door, no stops, no sharing, no luggage wrestling.
Price range: 1,100-1,500 baht for a sedan, 1,300-1,800 for an SUV. Our Bangkok Ride rate for a premium Jaecoo 5EV SUV is competitive with standard sedans from other services.
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes via the motorway. A bit longer in rain or if traffic is heavy near Chonburi.
Why it's worth it: After a long flight, the last thing you want is to figure out where the bus station is, buy a ticket, wait, then arrange another ride from Pattaya bus station to your hotel. Private transfer solves the entire chain in one booking.
Bus: 120 Baht
The Bell Travel Service bus runs from BKK to Pattaya every 2 hours from 7am to 9pm. It takes about 2 hours and costs 120 baht. The bus drops you at a Pattaya office where you then need a baht bus or taxi to your hotel (50-150 baht extra).
Good for: Backpackers with time and minimal luggage.
Not great for: Families, large luggage, or anyone who's been traveling for 12+ hours.
Grab: 1,300-2,000 Baht
Grab quotes BKK to Pattaya at 1,300-2,000 baht depending on time of day. The lower end is rare — usually it's 1,500+. During peak hours or rain, expect 2,000+.
The driver might ask you to pay tolls separately (around 100 baht). Factor that in.
Meter Taxi: 1,200-1,800 Baht
You can negotiate a flat rate with a meter taxi at BKK. Official taxis will quote 1,200-1,500 baht for Pattaya. Don't pay more than 1,500 for a meter taxi — they know the route well and will take the motorway.
The Comparison Table
- Bus: 120 baht, 2+ hours, requires hotel transfer
- Meter taxi: 1,200-1,500 baht, 1.5 hours, negotiate flat rate
- Grab: 1,300-2,000 baht, 1.5 hours, surge pricing
- Private transfer: 1,100-1,500 baht, 1.25 hours, door-to-door
Pro Tips
If you're landing late (after 8pm), book a private transfer. Buses stop running, Grab prices surge, and negotiating with tired taxi drivers at midnight isn't fun.
If your hotel is in Jomtien (south Pattaya), tell your driver — it's 15 minutes past the main Pattaya center and adds about 100 baht to the fare.