Pattaya Travel Overview
Located in Chonburi province, east of Bangkok, Pattaya is a famous beach destination, a highly popular resort town for Thais and foreigners. The city can be reached easily from the capital, either by car or public transportations, as it locates just some 150 kilometres away. 
The lengthy strips of sandy beaches with plenty choices of water based activities, convenient and modern neighborhood filling with countless numbers of interesting tourist attractions, world-class shopping malls, and the vibrant nightlife, are always the city's signature. Millions of people from all around has been draw to the city for these magnificence, especially during October and March which is the city's high season.
The city of Pattaya has 4 main districts which contain its own unique characters and attractiveness. North Pattaya is known for the private strip of beach and the most peaceful neighbourhood among alls. You will find many beautiful hotel, resort, and good restaurant nestled in the "sois" (street) of North Pattaya and Wongamat Area -perfect for visitor who seeks a private ambience and relaxing surrounding. Central Pattaya meanwhile, offer a bit more energetic feel with hustle and bustle streets side and choices of restaurant, and beer bar, as well as luxurious hotels and gigantic shopping malls.
South Pattaya is the most hectic part, representing the real characteristic that Pattaya has been fame for. Every street in the area are filled with myriad choices of Thai and international restaurants, a gogo bars, beer bars, host clubs, street side stalls, and many sorts of nightlife entertainments imaginable. It is the place packed with the true soul and the sparkling lives where you can enjoy to the edge.
Separately located from Pattaya to the south, Jomtien Beach offers a wind-down mood and a peaceful lengthy beach that extended as far as your eye can see. This area may be a bit far from the city centre, but it is the place you can find premium selections of hotels and resort located just across the road from the beach. If you want a relaxing place where you can enjoy with sea waves, azure sky, refreshing breeze, sun, sand, and unwind environment in Pattaya go no further than Jomtien Beach - it will not let you down.
Getting There
Pattaya has always been a popular seaside destination for both Thais and foreigners. It is the place that people who lives in Bangkok choose to go and spent their weekends and long holiday, as the city offers a good beach experience, lively nightlife scene, but more importantly, it is not so far away from Bangkok. With the distance around 150 kilometres and very convenient highway systems that run directly from Bangkok, Pattaya can be reached from by cars, buses, passenger vans, or even trains from the capital city of Bangkok in just a short time.
By Car
From Bangkok, you can reach Pattaya by car using many different routes, but there are 2 ways that are very popular and most convenient:
Please click here to see more information
Route A
From Bangkok, use Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway Network (Highway No. 7) and drive east, pass Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Ladkrabang pay toll, cross Bang Pakong River, Pan Thong pay toll, and the road will meet up with Chonburi-Pattaya Highway. From there, drive further along the highway and then you will arrive to Sukhumvit Road at the junction between North and Central Pattaya - if you want to go to North Pattaya or Na Kluea District, turn right at this junction, or turn left if you want to go to Central Pattaya, South Pattaya, or Jomtien.
This route will take around 1.30 hour from Bangkok. It is the most convenient and the most used especially during long holidays which can cause traffic jam at the two pay tolls of along the way.
Route B
From Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway (1st Expressway), follow the signs "Bang Na" (or Bang Pakong) then use Burapha Withi Expressway (Bang Na Expressway) and drive along the elevated road which will meet up with Highway No. 34 (Bang Na - Trat Highway) just before the city of Chonburi. Keep left when you off the elevated expressway, you will pass Amatanakorn Industrial Estate on your left, then go left at the intersection and drive straight along the Chonburi-Pattaya Highway until you reach Sukhumvit Road near Pattaya at the same point as the Route A.
Apart from using the Chonburi-Pattaya Highway, if you are not in a bit of hurry, or want to have a new driving experience, when you get off the elevated expressway you can drive straight through Chonburi city centre, Bang Saen, Sri-Racha, Banglamung and arrive to Pattaya as well. This back road is around 20 kilometres shorter than the highway and will run through a popular shopping venue, Nong Mon Market, but has a lot of traffic signals and denser traffic.
If you use this B Route, you will come across 2 toll booths at the beginning and the end of Burapha Withi Expressway. The officer will give you a toll card at the beginning, and you need to return the card and pay for the toll at the end of the way (the display will tell you how much). This route will take around 1.40 hour via Chonburi-Pattaya Highway, or 2 hours via Chonburi, but the road is smoother and the traffic is much lighter comparing to the first route.
Tips: Burapha Withi Expressway has long straight way and windy, please drive carefully with reasonable speed.
There are intercity buses
(local: Rod Tour) run directly between Bangkok and Pattaya. You can get on the bus at various points in Bangkok including the main bus terminals and stopping points as the follows:
Please click here to see more information
The Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai Terminal): Located on Sukhumvit Raod near Ekamai BTS Station, there are air-conditioned buses run to Pattaya depart ever 30-40 minutes from 05.00-23.00. For more information and making reservation, call 0 2391 9829.
The Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Terminal): Located on Khampang Phet 2 Rd. near Bang Sue MRT Station, there are air-conditioned buses run to Pattaya via Motorway and Bang Na Expressway depart every 30-40 minutes from 04.30-22.00, everyday. For more info or making reservation, call 0 2936 3509.
The Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai): Located on Borom Ratcha Chonni Road - west of Bangkok, there are air-conditioned buses runs to Pattaya via Bang Na Expressway depart every 1-2 hours from 05.30-19.00. For more information or making reservation, call 0 2894 6363.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus Terminal: Not only from the main bus terminals, you can also get on the bus to Pattaya at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus Terminal (connect to Suvarnabhumi Airport via shuttle bus). There are air-conditioned buses depart every 1 hour between 07.00-22.00 everyday. For more information or making reservation, call 08 9443 7748.
Bang Na Stop: Located close to Bang Na Intersection, opposite to Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), not so far from Bang Na BTS Station and Udomsuk BTS Station. There are buses from Ekamai Terminal and Southern Terminal stop for passengers from 5.30-21.00 every 30-40 minutes. For more information, call 0 2747 4370.
You can get to Pattaya via passenger vans from the stands in Victory Monument area, near Centre One Shopping Plaza. The service is available everyday from 06.00-20.00 with the cost around 100-150 (depend on the operator) and depart every 20-30 minutes. The vans will get on the expressway from the Victory Monument access ramp and use the Motorway direct to Pattaya which will take around 2 hours.
By Train
From Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), there is a non-air-conditioned 3rd class train runs once a day from Bangkok to Baan Pluta Luang Station from Monday to Friday (also run on public holiday that falls on weekdays). The train departs from Bangkok at 06.55 and will take 3 hours 40 minutes until it arrives to Pattaya at 10.35. You can also get on the train from the stations along the route. For more information please call State Railway of Thailand at 1690.
Getting Around
Pattaya has a good coverage public transportation system and is one of the most convenient cities of Thailand. There are modes of public services that you can use to get around, includes Songthaew (passenger trucks), motorbike taxis, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, or if you want to rent a car or bike, there are also many car rentals in the city for you to choose from.
By Songthaew
Songthaew or passenger truck is the most popular mode of public transportation of Pattaya as it is quite safe and cheap at price. You can call a Songthaew from anywhere in the city when you see them (use the same way as calling a taxi), but before get on, you need to ask if the car will head the same way as the place you want to go or not, because some Songthaews do not run the fixed route. This may cause some confusion if you do not know about the roads in Pattaya.
If you come as group, you can hire a Songthaew to go to the destination you want as well. This will provide you a more convenience, faster transfer, but at extra expenditure.
By Motorbike Taxi
Same as the Greater Bangkok and other big cities of Thailand, Pattaya has motorbike taxi stands at almost every street corner and the city's main points. Motorbike taxi offers a faster transfer comparing to Songthaew, but at a higher price and a bit more adventurous way. Normally the motorbike taxi will set you back around 30-60 baht depend on the distance to the destination. You can call for a motorbike taxi at the stands, or from anywhere when you see them come along without passenger - distinguished by colourful vest that the drivers wear.
By Rental Car/Motorbike
Even Pattaya is not so huge so that it makes transportation become a troublesome situation, but still, if you want to go to interesting places or restaurant far from the city centre, using a motorbike taxi or a Songthaew may not be a great choice. For many visitors and long-stayers, renting a car or motorbike is their solutions. You can find many car rentals in Pattaya especially in the area near the walking street in the Southern Pattaya, Soi Buakhao, and along Chalermprakiat (Pattaya 3rd.) Rd. For a small motor bike, it will cost around 250 baht per day, and a car will cost around 1,000-3,000 baht depending on the car model, type, and engine size.
The price can be varying depends on the owner of the car rentals. You may need to put on the deposit, and some may ask for a copy of your passport or credit card. Please inquire each individual car rental for the condition and further information.
Important Telephone Number
Police Station
Pattaya Tourist Police
0 3842 9371, 0 3842 5937 (Call Centre: 1155)
Pattaya Police Station
0 3842 0802-5
Jomtien Police Station
0 3823 2330-1
Chonburi Police Station
0 3842 5440, 0 3839 1666
Tourist Information
TAT Pattaya Office
0 3842 8750, 0 3842 7667
Pattaya Call Centre
1337
Transportation
Pattaya Bus Terminal
0 3842 9877
Pattaya Train Station
0 3842 9285
U-Tapao International Airport
0 3824 5593-5
Hospital
Banglamung Hospital
0 3842 9244
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
1719
Pattaya International Hospital
0 3842 8374-5
Pattaya Memorial Hospital
0 3848 8777
Pattaya Super Save Hotels
Pattaya Most Popular Hotels
Overview
Location: Banglamung
Location: Banglamung
Location: Banglamung
/thumbnail-overview.jpg "Sabai Resort")
![#comptxt_lang[18]#](http://www.hotelthailand.com/images/icon-amazing-thailand.gif){kind=icon}
![#comptxt_lang[17]#](http://www.hotelthailand.com/images/icon-etourism.gif){kind=icon}