By Taxi

Ignore the pests that will hassle you inside the airport's terminal building - they're too expensive - and head outside.

There, you can catch a taxi right by the terminal (pay the 50 baht surcharge at the ticket booth and ensure the driver turns the meter on).

Your driver could take you direct to Pattaya for around 1,000 baht, or you can save about 900 baht and ask him to take you to the bus station.

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By Bus

Yellow
There are tree main bus stations in Bangkok: Ekamai, Morchit and Bangkok International Air Port (Suwannbhumi air port).

By Yellow Bus from bangkok international air port direct to Pattaya city.

There is a Bus to Pattaya Jomtien at 09:00, 13:00, 17:00 and 20:00. Should you stay in Pattaya or in Naklua but not in Jomtien, tell it to the Bus Driver.

This (Yellow) Bus Line doesn't stop at Pattaya's Bus Terminal! It runs the Sukhumvit Road only.

The price we had to pay at the time of writing was 106 Baht only.

Bell Transport has a direct Bus from Airport to the Pattaya Bus Terminal. The one way ticket is 150 Baht. For this Bus please contact the ATTA Counter on Level 2 (Arrival Hall) or phone the Bell office (02 747 4675, 02 747 4676). The bus is waiting at level 1 (Bus Lobby), at door 7. The Bus to Pattaya leaves the Airport at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00.

On the Ground Floor (Level 1 called by the AOT, short for Airport Authority of Thailand) there are Busses connecting the Airport with Tourist Spots of Bangkok.

Ekamai is closer to Pattaya and the best one to head for.

Once you leave the airport, look for the 'airport bus booth'. The A3 bus will get you to Ekamai for about 100 baht.

Once you arrive at Ekamai nip over the road to the main bus building. Here, you can buy your ticket to Pattaya for 90 baht. They leave every 30 minutes between 05.20 and 23:00.

Most buses are air-conditioned and can pack your luggage safely away. Once you're at Pattaya Bus Station, a plethora of transports will be fighting their way through to offer transport to your hotel.

If you decide to head for Morchit, which is closer to the airport, then expect to pay 100-130 baht or so for the taxi from the airport, and 90 baht for a ticket to Pattaya.

Buses leave every half hour from 05:30 - 17:00.

Head for Booth 48 to purchase your ticket.

Buses run until late in the evening, but do not run all night, so check your arrival times.

If you arrive at Pattaya in under three hours, then well done!

Contacts:
Morchit (Northern Bus Terminal) Kamphangphet 2 Road, Bangkok Tel: (+66) 0 2936-3660, 2936-3666)

Ekamai (Eastern Bus Terminal) Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok
(+66) 02 391-8097, 2391-2504.

Once you are sunburnt, skint and ready to return home, buses leave for the airport every two hours between 07:00 - 17:00 and cost 200 baht.

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By Train

Trains are slow, cheap and not very popular with Thais.

However, should you wish to see some countryside on your way to the hotel, then trains are an option. There are first and second class tickets, which will result in much-needed air conditioning,

You should love trains with a passion if you choose this method, as there's only one a day and they are marginally faster than walking.

Most folks go by bus or taxi.

Contacts
Pattaya Railway Station. Off "Siam Country Club Road". Tel: (038) 429285

Sri Racha Railway Station
Tel: (038) 322504. Half way between Bangkok and Pattaya, and impossible to find. They don't speak much English either.

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By Air

U-Tapao Airport is a little-known place 30 kilometres away from Pattaya (Tel: 245595-7, 245599).

It is little-known with good reason: It's situated on a military base, is for domestic flights, and hasn't got a great reputation.

 

By Songthaew

The most common form of transport in Pattaya is a songthaew, a dark blue pick-up truck with two benches in the back and a cover on top. Called 'baht buses' by most people, the official fare within Pattaya is B5, but foreigners are expected to pay B10. Although two tier pricing irritates many people, fighting the system probably isn't worth the effort. The fixed fare only applies when the songthaew is following a set route like a bus. If you want it to take you somewhere off its route, you'll have to negotiate a price.

The most frequently used route is a circular one along Beach Road, then left on South Pattaya Road to Second Road where it again turns left and travels parallel to Beach Road. When it reaches the Dolphin Circle roundabout, it travels back to Beach Road and begins the journey again. At Dolphin Circle some songthaews head to Naklua Beach and others up North Pattaya Road to the a/c bus terminal and Sukhumvit Road. Songthaews from the North Pattaya Road bus station to points along Beach Front and Second Road are B20. Songthaews to Jomtien can be boarded at the intersection of South Pattaya and Second Road.

For trips up and down Sukhumvit Road (the main highway to Bangkok) including trips to and from the airport at U-Taphao, the songthaew are white and cost B20. Songthaew from the North Pattaya Road bus station to points along Beach Front and Second Road are B20.

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By Motorbike Taxi

Pattaya is chocablok with easy to identify motorbike taxis. The operators wear colourful vests and can be flagged down as the cruise the streets or camp on street corners chatting and playing checkers.

The tariff is usually between B30 and B40 for trips within Pattaya, an amount that cheaper than chartering a songthaew. On the other hand, a songthaew is safer as there is a wall of metal between you and oblivion.

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By Motorbike and Car Rentals

The more adventurous - some would say foolhardy - transport themselves on a motorbike for B150 to B200 baht a day for a 100/125 cc model. If you're a frustrated 'biker', a 750 cc or 1000 bike can be rented for B500 to B2500 a day.

Renters are expected to have a valid driver's license. This means either a Thai license or an international license. The rental agency won't check for the license, but the police might and if you don't have one it will cost B200. Helmets are mandatory and the fastest way to get stopped by the police is to not wear one. Thai law requires motorbikes to be operated with the headlight on and Thai spec bikes have them permanently illuminated. Accidents are common in Pattaya; driving defensively is the only way to survive and if you have never used a motorbike previously, it is best to learn elsewhere.

Car rentals are available from both local and international companies like Budget +66 (03) 871-0717, Hertz +66 (03) 871-6693, Avis +66 (03) 836-1627, National +66 (03) 841-125 /6. The most popular rental vehicle is a Suzuki jeep. They rent for about B1000 from locals and more if using one of the international big guys. As with a motorbike you will need a valid license although local companies rarely ask for them. On the other hand, if you are in an accident, they will tell you your insurance is invalid because you didn't have a license.