Getting to and from Pattaya

• By Bus:
  Most people departing Bangkok for Pattaya travel by bus. It is possible to get a bus directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya or from Bangkoks Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal.
  
  From Suvarnabhumi Airport there are busses that leave directly to Pattaya from the airport's Transport Center, which is served by a complimentary shuttle bus that circles the airport. These air conditioned buses leave every couple of hours, cost just over 100 baht, and arrive at the North Pattaya Road bus station about 1 ½ hours later.
  
  From the Eastern Bus Terminal (next to the BTS Ekkamai station, opposite Sukhumvit Road soi 63) there are bus departures throughout the day, leaving approximately every thirty minutes from around 5 am to nearly midnight. These air-conditioned busses cost just over 100 baht for a one way ticket and complete the journey from Bangkok to Pattaya in around two hours.
  
  From Bangkoks Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal and the Sai Tai Mai Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), buses leave less frequently throughout the day, but at similar cost and travel time as those from Ekkamai.
  
  If your final destination is Jomtien Beach it may be preferable to get a 2nd class bus rather than the 1st class busses mentioned above, as many 2nd class busses continue on to Jomtien thus saving you the time and hassle of arranging a transfer from North Pattaya Road bus station. The bus station for the 2nd class buses is on South Pattaya Road.
  
  From the Northeast (Isaarn) and the NorthThere are direct air conditioned buses from Nong Khai, Khon Kaen and Nahkorn Ratchasima (Khorat) to Pattaya. From other northeastern towns its best to get a bus to Ratchasima (Khorat) and then buy a ticket from there to Pattaya.
  
  From Chiang Mai and Mai Sai there are direct busses to Pattaya.
• By Air:
  The nearest airport to Pattaya is U-Tapao, which is serviced by Bangkok airways; however, this flight only connects Pattaya with Koh Samui. The other nearest airport is Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport, where there is bus, taxi, and limousine service to Pattaya, a 1 ½ to 2 hour drive from the airport.
• By Other:
  
  By Rental Car
  Pattaya is only 1 ½ to 2 hours from Bangkok, closer to Suvarnabhumi Airport than to the city center, so many people heading to the beach rent cars from the city so they have freedom to explore the area around Pattaya once they arrive there. There are several driving routes between Bangkok and Pattaya, some of which are faster than others, but most major car rental companies including Budget, National, Hertz, and Avis will provide directions from the airport in Bangkok to Pattaya.
  
  By Minibus
  While considerably more expensive and not necessarily more quick or comfortable than the bus, mini-van or minibus transport has the added benefit of allowing you to be picked-up at your hotel in Bangkok and dropped off at your hotel in Pattaya. At 400 baht per person, this popular Khao San Road option is worth the extra baht for those who wish to avoid the hassle of getting to and from bus stations on both ends of the trip.
  
  By Taxi
  The official fare for a taxi between Bangkok and Pattaya is 1500 baht plus expressway fees, but it is possible to negotiate the ride for as little as 1000 baht. Touts at Suvarnabhumi Airport offer taxi and limousine services from Bangkok to Pattaya for variable rates. You are likely to get a better deal if you know what the going rates are.

Getting Around Pattaya

• By songtaew:
  Hands down the kings of Pattaya public transportation are the dark blue songtaews, pickup-trucks with benches in the rear. Most songtaews follow established routes and passengers can hop on and off wherever they choose for a fixed rate (typically higher for foreigners). If a songtaew is not parked or is devoid of passengers it may be hired as a private vehicle at considerably higher rates.
  
  The most common songtaew route in Pattaya is the beach circuit that follows Second Road to the Dolphin Circle roundabout and then south along the full length of Beach Road, connecting the loop by traveling east along South Pattaya Road.
  
  Be sure to tell a songtaew driver where youre headed so as to be sure hes headed that way, but also ask how much the fare is so that you arent charged for a private hire. Stating the typical fare is usually more effective than asking an open ended question, provided you know what the one way fares currently are.
  
• By local bus:
  A government sponsored public bus system with established rates of 20 baht/trip, 90 baht/day, 180 baht/3-day, and 900 baht/month provides limited service around Pattaya. Many bus-stop signs indicate bus stops that are no longer in use. Brochures with details of the routes/stops are available from bus drivers.
  
• By motorbike taxi:
  Less expensive, faster, and far more dangerous than songtaews, motorbike-taxis are located at various intersections throughout Pattaya, although they can be flagged down while they are driving. Motorbike taxi drivers are easily identified by their colored vests. Foreigners can expect to pay around 30-40 baht for trips around Pattaya Beach.
  
• By taxi:
  Meter-taxis from Bangkok are common in and around Pattaya, all of which are looking to make some extra money after dropping off passengers from Bangkok. These are fine for trips around town, but if you are looking for a car and driver for a day trip outside of Pattaya Beach it may be better to charter a private car and driver, a non-metered taxi, or a minibus that operates on an on-call basis. These can be arranged through most travel agencies and many hotels and guesthouses.
  
• Car Rental:
  There are opportunities to rent cars from both local and international car rental agencies in Pattaya. Be aware however, that for insurance purposes it may be required to have a valid international drivers license, though most nations drivers licenses are sufficient to legally drive in Thailand.
  
  Car rentals without insurance are possible for as little as 600 baht/day for Suzuki Samurai style jeeps and 800 baht/day for small cars; rental cars that include insurance cost around 1000 baht/day, slightly less in the low season, more in the high season.
  
  Commercial First Class Insurance provides full coverage (as opposed to limited personal or third party only insurance). Most international car rental agencies will offer this insurance (some only for those with international drivers licenses) while local companies may or may not. You can request a copy of their insurance policy and ensure that it states "For Commercial Use". Regardless, inspect rental vehicles prior to rental and drive with caution, particularly as traffic in Pattaya can be quite confusing, including the habit of motorcycles to drive on the wrong side of the road.
  
• Rental Motorbikes:
  Motorcycle rentals are a very popular, if dangerous way to get around Pattaya. In addition to the risk of injury (a frequent result for foreigners unaccustomed to riding motorbikes or to driving on the left hand side of the road) there are occasionally scams involving rental motorbikes as well as bag snatchings from baskets in the front of rental motorbikes. As you must typically leave your passport as a deposit for a motorbike it is best to look for a reputable motorbike dealer even if the price is slightly higher and inspect bikes carefully prior to rental. Be aware that motorcycle rentals do not include insurance and both motorcycling accidents and motorbike thefts are common. Also note that parking beside a "No Parking" sign will result in a fine of 400 to 500 baht. Finally, while helmets are required by law, closed toes shoes are recommended by common sense.