Getting around Pattaya is surprisingly easy, with plenty of transport options depending on your comfort level, budget and sense of adventure.
Table of Contents
Arriving in Pattaya from Bangkok
There are a few ways to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya, including buses and vans. While vans are popular, we chose to travel by bus, and we’d do it again.
The travel time is similar, but buses offer far more legroom and comfort. Many vans have very limited space for luggage, meaning bags often end up on your knees or tucked into the aisle. If your bag is larger, you may also be charged extra. Buses, on the other hand, are spacious, comfortable and designed for luggage, making the journey far more relaxed.
We booked our bus tickets through 12Go Asia, which was easy and straightforward. We chose Ekkamai Bus Terminal as our departure point, which is very easy to reach via the BTS. Once there, simply show your booking confirmation to any staff member and they’ll point you in the right direction.
The buses are large, comfortable and travel at a good speed. From Ekkamai, there is only one other stop before Pattaya, so the journey feels direct and efficient.
And the price? Honestly impressive.
A 2.5-hour journey cost us around $8.80 NZD each, which feels almost unreal for the comfort and convenience.
Sometimes the simplest option really is the best one.
Songthaews, Taxis & First Impressions
When you arrive in Pattaya, you’ll be greeted by songthaews, taxis and motorbike drivers all vying for your attention. Pick one — or at least think twice before you do.
We chose a songthaew, partly for the experience. In hindsight, it cost us 100 baht each, while a Grab would have been around 98 baht total. The reason given was that we were being taken directly to our accommodation, which did happen — but realistically, it could have been done for around 50 baht each.
Songthaews are usually:
- Shared rides
- Drop people off along the way
- Zigzag across the city
- Cheapest when staying on a fixed route
If you hop on a songthaew that stays on its main route, the cost is usually a fixed 20 baht, and you simply pay when you hop off.
Hiring a Motorbike in Pattaya
We decided to hire a motorbike, and there were plenty available near our resort.
Our hire cost:
- 300 baht per day
- 2,000 baht deposit
Important tip:
👉 Always take a video of the motorbike before riding off, and make sure the staff see you doing it. This protects you from being blamed for scratches or damage that were already there.
And please — wear your helmet. Many people don’t. Don’t be that person.
Most resorts, hotels and Airbnbs offer free motorbike parking, which made it incredibly easy for us to get around.
Pattaya has wide roads, and while Thai driving can look chaotic, we found it to be surprisingly careful. In fact, most of the risky behaviour we observed came from tourists, not locals. On the whole, we found riding in Pattaya very manageable if you’re confident and sensible.
Grab, Taxis & Walking
- Grab is widely available in Pattaya
- It’s cheap, easy and reliable
- A great option if you don’t want to ride or negotiate fares
Walking is possible in parts of Pattaya, but be prepared — while it doesn’t look huge on a map, the city is spread out, and walking long distances requires good fitness (and patience in the heat).
Our Honest Take
- Songthaews are great if you stick to fixed routes and local pricing
- Grab is often the easiest and best-value option
- Motorbikes offer total freedom if you’re confident and cautious
- Walking works for short distances, but Pattaya is bigger than it looks
Like most things in Thailand, getting around Pattaya is easy once you understand the rhythm.
🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“The journey feels simpler once you understand the rhythm of the place.”