By Car
Pattaya can be reached in a 2.5-hour drive along Bangna-Trat Highway via Bang Pakong, Chon Buri and Si Racha. However, visitors can avoid Chon Buri by opting for Highway 36, the new Chon Buri – Pattaya – Rayong route or taking the motorway from Rama 9 Road.
If you come as a group of more than 4 people, you can hire the van with driver which will cost you 2,900 baht/one way trip include everything.
It is also easily accessible by taxi from Suvarnabhumi airport. The taxi drivers will charge you a flat fee of 2,000THB to 3,000THB which is roughly $57US to $85US. If you can speak a little bit of Thai than you will have a good chance of bargaining the price down. Taxis can be found at the airport or just flag one down in Bangkok.
By Bus
Air-conditioned and regular buses depart from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) and Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on Kamphaengphet Road daily. Buses (air-con) depart the Eastern Bus Terminal every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from Mochit II (Northern Bus Terminal) from 5.00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Departure times and fares may be obtained from the Eastern Bus Terminal, tel. 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097 or the Northern Bus Terminal, tel. 0 2936 2852-66.
There are also minibuses that travel directly from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya at 9.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. daily. For more information, contact the Bangkok International Airport, tel. 0 2535 1111.
In addition, most hotels in Bangkok provide bus services to Pattaya. Contact the tour desk at your hotel for details.
By Train
The State Railway of Thailand offers a daily train service departing Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station at 06.55 a.m., tel. 0 2621 8701. It takes about 5 hours to reach a station located near the Siam Country Club.
Travelling in Pattaya
Pattaya City is divided into four major zones: North Pattaya, Central Pattaya, South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach.
It should be noted that there is a small mountain known as the Hill, located between South Pattaya and Jomtien. For a visual illustration take a look at the Map of Pattaya and Jomtien with the Hill.
"Song-Taew"
Motorbikes are the most popular mode of transport in Pattaya. However, transportation in the city is facilitated through the use of special cars (song taew), customized pickup trucks with passenger seats in a covered overhead back cabin. These pickups, known as Bahts-Bus, can easily carry 8-10 passengers in the back, plus 1 or 2 passengers in front. They circle around the city and are allowed to stop anywhere. In addition to motorbike-taxis, the Bahts-Buses are the only form of public tra
nsport permitted in Pattaya. If not occupied, they also can be hired as private taxis. In fact, they are private vehicles in most cases belonging to the drivers. There are so many of them that they end up looking for passengers.
This compact city consists of 3 major roads that parallel each other. Right along the beach is Beach Rd., which is a one-way road from the north to south that is a few kilometers long. Second Rd. is a hundred or so meters away and carries city transport mainly from the south to north, although it is partly a two-way road. The last road is Sukhumvit Rd, a continuation of the highway leading to Bangkok. Many small streets called Soi(s) cross the roads. And it’s advisable to walk some of the small streets, which are enumerated from north to south, although some have names. Second Rd. continues on to South Pattaya and turns to Jomthian reaching Jomthian beach within 5 minutes, and continues alongside Jomthian beach, which is approximately 20 kilometers long with some secluded escapes.
Jomtien Beach Rd., which is a two-way road, also parallels Sukhumvit Rd and is the only road in the Jomtien area, except for some connecting streets. On the other side of Sukhumvit road are several country clubs, golf courses and typical Thai rural villages, providing charming escapes on the banks of sweet-water lakes and small streams in the leisurely and relaxing countryside.
Many kinds of motorbikes, convertible monster Jeeps, sport and passenger cars are offered for rent. Many tourists are tempted get behind the wheel. It should be noted that in Thailand drivers drive on the left lane, as in England and Japan.
