Hello, I’ve been consistently posting about my curiosity regarding Thailand. I hope many people can enjoy my concise posts and have refreshing and easy trips to Bangkok and Pattaya
Distance between Bangkok and Pattaya
If we make a comparison, the relationship between bangkok and pattaya is like pizza and spaghetti.
When you’re in Bangkok, you will miss Pattaya, and when you’re in Pattaya, you will miss Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife.
The distance between Bangkok and Pattaya is approximately a 2-hour drive by car, although if you take it easy, it could stretch to about 2 and a half hours.
It’s not too far nor too close, but for foreigners, this 2-hour distance can feel quite far.
Some people find the journey itself quite burdensome, while many opt to stay either in Bangkok and finish their trip or solely in Pattaya. However, there’s no need for such worries.
Just refer to the transportation options I’ll describe below for traveling between Bangkok and Pattaya, and your worries will vanish.
If you’re not short on money, you can simply call a GRAB without any concerns.
Whether you’re traveling from Bangkok to Pattaya or vice versa, a single GRAB call will bring taxis straight to your location.
Thailand’s Public Taxi System
In Bangkok, GRAB seems to be quite prevalent, while in Pattaya, VOLT seems to be more common. Therefore, it’s a good idea to download both apps and use them interchangeably.
The cost for a ride from Pattaya to Bangkok is around 1500 baht, which is roughly $55.
If you’re traveling with two or more people and have golf bags with you, regular GRAB cars may not accommodate all your luggage in the trunk.
In this case, you can opt for GRAB VAN, which costs around 2500 baht, approximately $90.
In the past, traveling between Pattaya and Bangkok by taxi often involved haggling with touts and drivers, which could be exhausting and sometimes resulted in overpaying by as much as 50% or even 100% for unsuspecting tourists.
However, with the activation of ride-sharing services like GRAB and VOLT in Thailand, tourists no longer have to worry about being ripped off.
But for those who find the cost burdensome or wonder if it’s necessary to spend so much, there’s an alternative : taking the bus.
Bus Transportation to Pattaya
When traveling from Bangkok to Pattaya by bus, you can catch a bus at either the Mochit Terminal next to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the Ekkamai Eastern Terminal, or from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Buses depart approximately once per hour. The cost varies, but you can expect it to be around 100-150 baht, which is roughly $4—quite affordable and without any hassle.
If your accommodation is closer to Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can take the BTS Skytrain to Ekkamai Station, where you’ll find the terminal nearby.
If you’re boarding the bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport, head to the bus ticket booth located in front of Gate 8 on the Arrival floor.
Purchase your ticket there and follow the staff’s instructions—it’s quite straightforward!
Convenience of the VOLT Application
When you arrive in Pattaya, the bus terminal may not be conveniently located near the main Pattaya Beach where many hotels are situated.
Walking from the terminal to your hotel is not recommended, and navigating the local songthaews (shared taxis) can be challenging if you’re not familiar with the routes.
In such cases, taking a taxi is the best option, and using VOLT for taxis in Pattaya is particularly convenient.
This is because VOLT’s map follows the standard of Google Maps, making it more user-friendly, especially for English speakers
Wishing you a trip to Bangkok filled with luck and joy!