Bangkok to Pattaya: Bus, Taxi & Hotel Transfers
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Getting from Bangkok to Pattaya is fairly straightforward. The part that takes a little thought is choosing a departure point: a cheap bus ticket is less of a bargain if you first spend an hour crossing Bangkok with your suitcase.
If you are staying near Sukhumvit, start by looking at the Ekkamai bus. If your hotel is farther north, Mo Chit 2 may be more convenient. And if you would rather leave your bags in one vehicle all the way to your Pattaya hotel, compare a hotel transfer or private car.
Starting at Suvarnabhumi Airport instead? Our airport-to-Pattaya guide covers that journey separately.
Quick answer: Check the Ekkamai bus first for a budget trip from Sukhumvit. Compare Mo Chit 2 if it is easier to reach from your hotel. For fewer connections, check a shared hotel transfer or a private vehicle using your exact addresses and luggage.
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| Option | Price basis | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| City bus | About $4.30 (144 THB) from Ekkamai; $4.60 (155 THB) from Mo Chit 2, per person | Add both terminal connections |
| Shared hotel transfer | Check a current quote for your party | Hotel coverage and pickup window |
| Private car or taxi | Check the total per vehicle | Addresses, bags and included charges |
Fares checked 14 October 2026: 144 THB from Ekkamai and 155 THB from Mo Chit 2. Check the total price and available departure times for your date in the booking calendar or at the counter.
In this guide
Which Bangkok departure point should you choose?
Choose the terminal that is easiest to reach from your hotel. Saving a few baht on the bus fare rarely makes up for an expensive ride across Bangkok.
Ekkamai works well for many hotels along Sukhumvit. Take the BTS to Ekkamai station (E7), then follow the signs and your map to the nearby Eastern Bus Terminal. If you are travelling with several suitcases, a taxi directly to the terminal may be worth the extra cost.
Mo Chit 2 is an alternative to check if you are staying farther north. It is on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. Be careful with the name: BTS Mo Chit and Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal are different places. If you take the train towards Chatuchak, you still need to arrange the last part of the trip to the bus terminal.
These map links make the distinction easier: Ekkamai Bus Terminal and Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal. Enter the terminal, rather than just the BTS station, when booking a ride.
Still choosing your Bangkok hotel? Our Bangkok neighbourhood guide explains the main nightlife areas; access to your onward transport is another useful thing to consider.
Taking the Ekkamai bus to Pattaya
You can book online or buy your ticket at the bus terminal. For an online booking, open Roong Reuang Coach’s ticket website, select your departure terminal, Pattaya destination and travel date, then choose an available bus. If you are unsure which option to select, start with the official route page and follow its booking link.
Prefer to buy in person? At Ekkamai, look for the Roong Reuang Coach Pattaya ticket counter. The published instructions identify counter 13 and platform 1. At Mo Chit 2, they identify counter 34 and platform 42. Your ticket and the staff’s directions take priority if the boarding location changes.
The route page lists Ekkamai at about $4.30 (144 THB) per person and Mo Chit 2 at about $4.60 (155 THB), with a bus journey of around two hours depending on traffic. Both arrive at North Pattaya bus station, near Sukhumvit Road.
Ekkamai’s published departures include 05:00 and 06:00, followed by services from 09:00 to 22:00. Mo Chit 2 lists hourly departures from 05:00 to 18:00. Because other guides show different fares and schedules, check availability and the final price for your date before relying on an early or late departure.
Aim to be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before your bus leaves. If you buy a ticket on arrival, allow for a wait for the next available departure.
Luggage, tickets and booking ahead
One suitcase up to 20 kg and a personal bag are included under the published baggage allowance. Extra, oversized or heavier luggage may cost more, so check before paying if your case is particularly large or you are bringing more than one.
You can show your ticket’s QR code on your phone. Save it somewhere easy to find, and keep your passport, medicine and valuables in the bag you carry on board.
If your plans are still flexible, read the cancellation terms before booking: the published rules say cancelled tickets are non-refundable. The ticket and baggage information has the details for this service.
Shared hotel transfers or a private car?
If carrying bags through stations sounds like an awkward start to the day, a hotel transfer is worth a look. It costs more than the bus ticket alone, but can save you arranging a ride at each end.
For a shared hotel transfer, Bell Travel Service lists Bangkok-to-Pattaya services at 10:00 and 14:00, covering selected hotels. Check both hotels and the current price before booking, and follow the pickup time on your confirmation.
A private car is often the simplest option for several people or a lot of luggage. Compare the total price for the vehicle, rather than a per-person headline. Make sure the selected car has space for your bags as well as the passengers.
Welcome Pickups says it also offers rides from Bangkok hotels or agreed city meeting points to Pattaya. For this journey, enter your Bangkok hotel as the pickup address and your Pattaya hotel as the destination; confirm that both are accepted before booking. An airport-transfer quote is a different journey.
You can also compare Klook’s Bangkok–Pattaya private city transfers. Choose the route, date and vehicle, then check the luggage allowance, pickup area and included charges.
If your hotel arranges a taxi, ask for the complete price in writing, including tolls and any other fees. Give them both hotel addresses and the number of people and bags so you are comparing the same journey.
Getting from North Pattaya bus station to your hotel
Your bus arrives at North Pattaya bus station, not your hotel. Save your hotel’s full address and map pin before leaving Bangkok: a central Pattaya hotel and one in Jomtien can need quite different onward rides.
With large bags, a car through a ride-hailing app or pickup arranged by your hotel is usually easier to manage. Check the fare and pickup point before committing. If your hotel has more than one entrance, ask which one the driver should use.
Travelling light? A shared songthaew may work, but ask where it goes, how much the ride costs and whether there is room for your bag. A cheap fare on a regular town route is not a reliable estimate for a station-to-hotel transfer.
You will want access to your hotel pin and booking details when you arrive. Download them in advance, or, if your phone supports eSIM, compare a Thailand data plan from Airalo before the trip.
Budget for the whole journey
The bus remains a good budget option, but compare the whole trip: your ride to the Bangkok terminal, bus tickets, any extra baggage fee and the ride to your Pattaya hotel.
For two adults leaving Ekkamai, the published base bus fares add up to about $8.60 (288 THB) before either local ride. For a group, sharing those rides can lower the cost per person. If you need a larger vehicle for everyone’s suitcases, include that too.
The same thinking applies to time. The bus journey may be around two hours, but getting to the terminal, boarding and reaching your hotel all take extra time. Leave a generous buffer for Friday evenings, holidays or heavy rain, especially if you have a timed reservation after arrival.
USD figures here are approximate, using a rounded rate of 33.5 THB to $1 for planning. Your exchange rate and payment fees may differ; the THB total shown when you book is the amount to check. For the rest of your holiday budget, see our Thailand trip cost guide.
What about minivans and the train?
A minivan can be useful if its departure point suits your hotel, but check where it drops you in Pattaya and how much luggage you can bring. A listing called “Bangkok to Pattaya” does not necessarily mean pickup and drop-off at your hotels.
If you prefer travelling by train, check the State Railway of Thailand timetable for your date and the stations served. Include the ride to and from the railway stations when comparing it with the bus. For this trip, convenience at both ends matters as much as the ticket price.
Bangkok to Pattaya FAQ
Which option should a solo traveller check first?
Start with the bus from the terminal that is easiest to reach, then add the Pattaya hotel connection. A shared hotel transfer is worth comparing if both hotels are covered.
Is a private transfer better for a family or group?
It can simplify luggage and pickup, but compare the final vehicle price with your combined bus and local-ride costs. Confirm the chosen vehicle’s capacity before booking.
Can I leave Bangkok late?
Check the live timetable before making plans. For a departure outside scheduled services, obtain a confirmed private-transfer quote and pickup time rather than relying on an unverified late bus.
How do I return to Bangkok?
Select the Bangkok arrival terminal or hotel carefully when booking the reverse direction. Do not assume it matches the location you used on the outward trip.
What if I am starting at Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Use our separate Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya guide. It explains the airport bus stops and hotel-transfer options.
Our recommendation: Choose the easiest terminal to reach for a budget bus trip. Compare a hotel transfer if it removes awkward connections, or a private car if your group and luggage justify the total quote.
Building this journey into a longer holiday? Our Thailand itinerary for 7, 10 or 14 days helps you plan the surrounding stops.