I’ve been to Thailand plenty of times now, so getting from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya isn’t something I stress about or look up in advance. In fact, I usually only check the info after I’ve landed and collected my luggage, right before heading to the bus counter to buy a ticket. Even if it’s your first time going solo, there’s nothing to worry about.
Where do you catch the bus at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), and how do you buy a ticket? The whole process is genuinely simple.
This guide covers:
- How to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Pattaya
- How to get back to Bangkok from Pattaya (and if you’re staying on the outskirts and want to avoid rush-hour traffic, which arrival station to pick)
⚡ Quick Reference
Outbound route | Buy a ticket at the Level 1 counter in BKK Airport and take a direct bus to Pattaya (a private transfer is better for bigger groups) |
Outbound fare | About 122–143 THB (depends on which Pattaya stop) |
Travel time | About 2 hours (with no traffic) |
Ticket counters | BKK Airport, Level 1, near Exit 8, next to the Magic Food Point food court |
Return boarding point | Pattaya North Bus Station (big, easy to buy tickets) |
Back to Bangkok | Ekkamai (East) or Mo Chit (North) terminal, around 131 THB Luggage is weighed and charged separately |
Beating traffic | During the afternoon rush, don’t ride to Ekkamai unless your hotel is near Asok; get off at Mo Chit instead |
Recommended eSIMs |
How to Get from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya?
Getting from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya is really simple, easier than you’d think. Get off the plane, collect your bags, walk down to Level 1 to buy a ticket, and you can take a bus straight to Pattaya.
Getting from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Pattaya barely takes any prep, just skim this article again before you go.
I flew into BKK from Chiang Mai and then continued to Pattaya, and the whole ticket-buying process went smoothly.
As for the other airport, Don Muang (DMK), I haven’t actually done that route myself.
But based on what I’ve researched and how transport works there, the process from DMK should be much the same: buy a ticket at the airport’s bus ticket area and take a direct bus to Pattaya. If you’re arriving through DMK, the easiest thing is to ask an airport staff member where the “Pattaya bus” is once you land, or just follow the signs.
One thing to flag first: no matter which airport you land at, it’s best to have mobile data before you land. Finding the counter, checking maps, talking to drivers, it all needs data, and having a connection just feels more reassuring.
For short trips to Thailand, I always set up a Thai eSIM back home before I fly out, so the moment the plane lands and I power on, I have signal. It saves the hassle of hunting for airport Wi-Fi or queuing to buy a physical SIM.
The nice thing about an eSIM is you don’t have to swap cards, so your home number keeps receiving texts (handy, since a lot of hotel bookings and bank verification codes come by SMS). It makes traveling much easier.
Where to Buy Bus Tickets (BKK / DMK)
At BKK the ticket counters are in a row on Level 1, near Exit 8 and the Magic Food Point food court. At DMK they’re in the Airport Service Hall by Exit 2 in Terminal 1. Just follow the airport signs.
BKK (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
The buses to Pattaya have their counters clustered on Level 1, the transfer level, near Exit 8 and the Magic Food Point food court.
After you collect your bags and clear customs, head down to that level, and you’ll see a whole row of ticket counters together.
It isn’t just one counter, there are several different counters, each selling different departures and drop-off points. You don’t need to compare them all, just pick a counter with a time and price you’re happy with and buy there.
The main operator is Roong Reuang Coach, which runs a very frequent service. On the day I checked, a few counters had the most departures, so I bought mine here.
There’s also a Bell Travel counter in the same area, so check their times and prices too, depending on your schedule.
The fare is about 122–143 THB per seat depending on which Pattaya stop you pick, and the ride takes about 2 hours. These are the three drop-off points:
There’s also an extra charge based on your luggage, so keep some cash ready. If you’re worried about breaking a big note, buy your ticket first and then get change at the Magic Food Point food court next door. The luggage fee is paid right before you board.
I got off at Pattaya South Bus Station, where the drop-off is right by the roadside.
I arrived around 4 or 5 pm, a really congested time, and Grab was almost impossible to book. I’d finally get a driver only for them to cancel right away. Some even canceled with the car right in front of me, maybe because I was standing where buses drop passengers off, even though no bus was there at the time.
I didn’t really get it. I just had to book another one, but luckily I wasn’t in a rush.
DMK (Don Muang Airport)
DMK also has direct buses to Pattaya. The boarding point is on Level 1, in the Airport Service Hall near Exit 2 of Terminal 1. There are about 4 departures a day (6:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:30 pm), and the trip takes around 3 hours. There are far fewer departures than at BKK, so double-check them against your landing time.
Also, since DMK has so few departures, if you’re leaving from there, it’s best to book online in advance.
If the direct departures don’t line up with your schedule, there’s a workaround: take the shuttle bus that runs between BKK and DMK, then buy a ticket at the BKK bus counters described above.
🔎 Related reading:
From $26
From $14
From $72Turquoise bays, a hand-carved wooden temple, all within an hour of the city.
Top rated pick →Should You Book Bus Tickets Online in Advance?
Outside peak season there’s no need to book ahead; just buy on the spot when you arrive, which is easiest if there are only one or two of you with flexible plans. Only book a seat online in advance during peak season, when it’s crowded, or if you’re worried about not getting a ticket.
When I went (the week before Christmas), I just bought my ticket on the spot after landing, no problem at all. The counters are lined up in a row, so you pick a departure, pay right there, and get your ticket.
For anyone going for the first time who isn’t sure exactly when they’ll clear customs, buying on the spot is the most flexible option. You don’t have to worry about a delayed flight or getting held up at immigration and missing a bus you’d pre-booked.
That said, one thing to note: you can book online too. It costs a little more than buying on the spot, but the upside is that you can lock in a seat. Lots of people head to Pattaya, and nearly every departure fills up, so if you’re traveling in peak season (Songkran, New Year, or long holidays across Asia), in a bigger group, or nervous about not getting on the bus you want, booking a seat online ahead of time gives you peace of mind.
A simple rule of thumb:
- One or two people, flexible plans → just buy on the spot, easiest option
- Bigger group, peak season, hate waiting → consider booking a seat online ahead (though for 4+ people traveling together, I’d honestly just book a private transfer)
If you’d rather lock your ticket in for peace of mind, take a look at these two sites:
⭐ When booking, note that you can choose both your departure and arrival stations on the left.
For bigger groups, a private transfer is worth it 👇👇👇
How Long Is the Wait, and How to Pass the Time?
Usually about an hour. Every departure on this route runs full, so the one closest to your arrival is often sold out and you’ll usually get one about an hour later. Grab a bite at the Magic Food Point food court while you wait.
The reason is that the departure closest to your arrival time has very likely already sold out. In theory, you can board quickly as long as tickets are available, but in practice, this route is basically full on every run, so what you buy is usually a departure about an hour later.
So how do you kill that hour? At BKK Airport, you can head to the Magic Food Point food court next door, grab something to eat, and rest for a bit. Refueling before you board works out perfectly. Just remember to use the bathroom before you get on, because the trip is only 2 hours and the bus doesn’t stop along the way.
There’s one practical tip that comes down to luggage, though:
- Small bags, a backpack → the food court is a good place to rest, easy to move around
- A big suitcase → moving around is a bit more awkward, and dragging a large case through a crowded food court is a pain
If you’re the type who hauls a big suitcase, I’d suggest finding a nearby seat to watch your luggage while you scroll on your phone. If you’re not hungry, there’s no need to force your way through the food-court crowds.
Getting Back to Bangkok from Pattaya: North vs. South Station
I’d recommend catching your bus from the North Station. It’s big, the counters are clear, and there are plenty of departures, so you can buy a ticket on the spot without guesswork. It’s easier to find than the South Station.
When it’s time to head back to Bangkok, you’ll notice that Pattaya’s bus stations are split into a North Station and a South Station, so which one to go to is the first thing to decide for the return.
I chose to catch my bus from the North Station, because my accommodation was near it.
The North Station has clear counters and a fair number of departures. I bought my ticket on arrival there too, because I hadn’t decided what time to check out that day and didn’t want to rush, so I just bought it at the station.
How to Avoid Traffic Back to Bangkok: Ekkamai vs. Mo Chit
It depends on when you head back. During the 4–5 pm rush hour, ride to Mo Chit to skip the most congested stretch into the center. Outside peak hours, take Ekkamai, which is closer to the center and easy to transfer to the BTS.
This is the part of the whole trip I think is most worth sharing, because it directly decides whether you’ll be stuck in traffic questioning your life choices.
Heading back to Bangkok from Pattaya, the buses have two main terminals. When you buy your ticket in Pattaya, you’ll see two counters, each going to:
The fares are about the same on both sides, so what matters is when you’re traveling and where you’re staying.
My return happened to fall around 4 or 5 pm, right in Bangkok’s evening rush hour, and that time slot is extremely prone to traffic. A lot of people habitually pick Ekkamai because it’s closer to the center and connects straight to the BTS when you get off.
But at the time, I figured the Ekkamai direction would be gridlocked at rush hour. Rather than being stuck motionless in city-center traffic, I’d rather go a different way. (If you’re traveling light and staying in the city center, riding to Ekkamai is perfectly fine.)
So I chose to ride to Mo Chit. It turned out to be the right call, and I avoided the most congested stretch into the center.
The main reason was my 25 kg suitcase. I really didn’t want to drag it onto the metro, since I’d have had to transfer from the BTS to the MRT. Even though I know the transfer route well, I’d never done it hauling a big case, and I was worried about finding the elevators. Luckily, my hotel was near Mo Chit, so I didn’t have to head into the city and sit in traffic.
Here’s a simple way to decide:
- Off-peak → ride to Ekkamai, closer to the center and easy to transfer
- Late-afternoon rush (around 4–5 pm) → I’d ride to Mo Chit to avoid the traffic into the center
One easily overlooked point: the last bus times differ between the two stations. Ekkamai (East) runs later, roughly from just after 5 am until past 11 pm, with a bus about every half hour. Mo Chit (North) wraps up earlier, with the last bus around 8 pm. If you’re heading back to Bangkok at night, you’ll definitely want to factor this in.
If you really can’t be bothered with the hassle, or you’re traveling with elderly family, kids, or big luggage and don’t want to deal with buses and traffic, then a private transfer is the most stress-free option. It’s door-to-door straight to your hotel, and you don’t have to haul your bags on and off yourself:
From $26 From $14 From $72Turquoise bays, a hand-carved wooden temple, all within an hour of the city.
Top rated pick →How to Get into the City from Mo Chit
It’s easy, no need to worry. Mo Chit has a taxi rank, so you can grab one right after getting off. The only thing to prepare for is language: tell the on-site staff your hotel location first, then use a translation app or Google navigation to guide the driver.
After you ride to Mo Chit, some people worry, “Is this place out of the way? Will it be hard to get into the center?” In fact, getting into central Bangkok from Mo Chit is very convenient, so don’t stress.
There’s a taxi rank there, so you can catch one as soon as you get off. At the spot where you take a number for a taxi, a staff member actually came over to help me and asked if I needed a ride.
The only thing to get past is the language barrier. The driver very likely won’t speak English, let alone Chinese, so sort out how you’ll communicate in advance. Here’s what I did:
- Clearly explain your hotel location to the on-site staff first (in English), so they can relay it to the driver
- Have a translation app ready once you’re in the car, so you can type and translate anything you need to tell the driver
- Or just use navigation to guide the way: enter the hotel address into Google Maps and let the driver follow it, which is the least error-prone
As long as the address is clear and navigation is on, you’re unlikely to get lost.
I’d suggest pulling up or taking a screenshot of your hotel’s Google Maps location before you get in, then just showing the driver the screen. It’s far more effective than trying to explain out loud.
The language barrier really isn’t as scary as it sounds. Just have your tools ready.
Other Ways to Get from the Airport to Pattaya
Besides the bus (the cheapest), there are three other options: minivan, private transfer, and Grab. In short: the bus is cheapest, a private transfer saves the most time, and the right choice depends on your group size, luggage, and budget.
Although this guide mainly covers the bus (how I traveled, and the cheapest option), here are the other options laid out for comparison in case the bus doesn’t suit you:
Direct bus (how I got to Pattaya)
- Pros: cheapest, around 122–143 THB, and you can buy it on the spot at the airport
- Cons: you might wait about an hour, every departure is full, and moving around with big luggage is a bit tiring
- Best for: travelers on a budget with flexible plans who aren’t in a hurry
Minivan
- Pros: relatively frequent departures, and some routes are more flexible
- Cons: seats are cramped and there’s limited space for big luggage
- Best for: light packers, small groups, and anyone who wants more departure options
Private car / transfer
- Pros: no waiting and no squeezing in with strangers
- Cons: the price can be a bit higher
- Best for: bigger groups (splitting the cost is a great deal), families with elderly members or kids, big luggage, or anyone who simply wants a hassle-free ride
Grab
- Pros: book it from your phone, fixed upfront pricing so you won’t get ripped off, and you can set your own pickup and drop-off points
- Cons: long-distance fares aren’t cheap, and it still gets stuck in rush-hour traffic
- Best for: last-minute or late-night trips, or when the last bus has gone, and for groups of 2+ who want to get there faster and don’t mind paying a bit more
FAQ
Q1: Do I need to book the bus from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya online in advance?
Not necessarily. If there is only one or two of you with flexible plans, just buy on the spot, which is the most flexible. If it’s peak season, crowded, and you’re worried about not getting a ticket, you can book a seat online ahead of time, though it’ll cost a little more.
Q2: How long do I have to wait at the airport for a bus?
Usually about an hour. Since this route is full on every departure, the one closest to your arrival time has likely sold out, so what you get is usually a departure an hour later. Build this wait into your plans and you won’t panic.
Q3: Where are the ticket counters at BKK Airport?
On Level 1, near Exit 8, next to the Magic Food Point food court. It’s a whole row of counters together, so just pick one with a time and price you’re happy with.
Q4: Can I also take a bus to Pattaya from Don Muang Airport (DMK)?
Yes. DMK has direct buses to Pattaya, but with few departures, and the boarding point is in the Airport Service Hall by Exit 2 of Terminal 1. If the timing doesn’t work, you can take the A1 bus to Mo Chit (North) and transfer to Roong Reuang Coach, or head to BKK Airport and transfer there.
Q5: On the way back to Bangkok, should I get off at Ekkamai or Mo Chit?
It depends on the time, where you’re staying, and how much luggage you have. Off-peak with light luggage, ride to Ekkamai (closer to the center). During the 4–5 pm evening rush, or if you’re staying further out, I’d ride to Mo Chit to avoid the traffic into the center. Also note that Mo Chit’s last bus is earlier (around 8 pm), so keep that in mind if you’re returning late.
Q6: Which station should I catch the bus from to get back to Bangkok?
I’d recommend the North Station. When I arrived in Pattaya I was dropped off at the roadside and couldn’t find an obvious ticket office nearby, so for the return I chose the larger North Station.
Q7: What if the driver at Mo Chit doesn’t speak English?
Tell the on-site staff your hotel location first, then once you’re in the car use a translation app or open Google navigation to guide the way, and show the driver your hotel on the map. It’s more effective than trying to explain out loud.
Before You Come to Thailand, Sort These Out First
Looking back on the whole trip, my biggest takeaway is this: the transport from Bangkok to Pattaya really isn’t hard. What’s hard is the uncertainty the moment you land. And that uncertainty can mostly be erased with just a little prep beforehand.
The most crucial thing is mobile data. Finding the counter, checking maps, talking to taxi drivers, looking up last-bus times, it all relies on your phone. I always set up a Thai eSIM back home before I fly, so the moment I land and power on I have signal and don’t have to scramble for airport Wi-Fi.
Buy your data plan before you leave and connect the moment you land. An eSIM works by scanning a QR code, super convenient if you’d rather not swap cards.
