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Pattaya to Bangkok: Bus, Train, Taxi & Airport Transfer

Last updated 2026-07-08

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TL;DR: From Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road, Roong Reuang Coach buses run to Bangkok’s Ekkamai terminal for ฿148 (US$4) and to Mo Chit for ฿158 (US$5), taking around 2-2.5 hours with departures roughly hourly from about 4:30am to 10pm. A direct bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport leaves from Jomtien Bus Station for ฿162 (US$5), taking about 2 hours, with departures roughly every 2 hours through the day. The daily 3rd-class train from Pattaya station costs just ฿30 (US$1) and takes about 3.5-4 hours to Hua Lamphong, departing at 14:21, with a weekend air-conditioned express (Train #998) at 16:26 covering the same route in about 2.5 hours for ฿170 (US$5). A private taxi to Bangkok runs about ฿1,399-1,699 (US$42-52) depending on car size, and a Grab typically lands around ฿1,200-1,500 (US$36-45). All prices ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).

If you’re standing in Pattaya working out how to get to Bangkok, whether for a flight home, a city stopover, or just heading back to the capital, the practical details matter more than the general route: which terminal, what time, how much, and whether the schedule actually fits your plans. This guide covers every realistic option leaving from Pattaya, the standard coach to Ekkamai or Mo Chit, the direct Suvarnabhumi Airport bus, the train, and the private taxi and Grab route, with current 2026 fares and departure points. Every figure below is checked against current 2026 operator sources, listed at the end.

Prices are in Thai baht (THB) with US dollars in parentheses, converted at ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026). If you’re going the other way, our Bangkok to Pattaya guide covers the same route from the Bangkok end, and for the wider picture on reaching Pattaya from anywhere, see getting to Pattaya.

Quick comparison: every Pattaya to Bangkok option

OptionDeparts fromTimePrice (one-way)Best for
Bus to EkkamaiPattaya Bus Terminal~2-2.5 hrs฿148 (~US$4)Best all-round value, BTS access
Bus to Mo ChitPattaya Bus Terminal~2-2.5 hrs฿158 (~US$5)Northern Bangkok
Bus to Suvarnabhumi AirportJomtien Bus Station~2 hrs฿162 (~US$5)Flying out of BKK
Daily 3rd-class trainPattaya railway station~3.5-4 hrs฿30 (~US$1)Cheapest fare
Weekend express train (No. 998)Pattaya railway station~2.5 hrs฿170 (~US$5)Weekend AC train ride
Private taxi / transferYour hotel~1.5-2.5 hrs฿1,399-1,699 (~US$42-52)Luggage, groups, door-to-door
GrabCarYour location~1.5-2.5 hrs฿1,200-1,500 (~US$36-45)On-demand, no counter

Ranges compiled from operator and rail sources; see Sources. Times are scheduled and stretch in heavy traffic. Prices at ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).

The Pattaya Bus Terminal: Ekkamai and Mo Chit

The standard way back to Bangkok is Roong Reuang Coach from Pattaya Bus Terminal, on North Pattaya Road, roughly 3km from the central beach area. Buses run to two Bangkok terminals: Ekkamai (the Eastern Bus Terminal), at ฿148 (about US$4), and Mo Chit in the north of the city, at ฿158 (about US$5), both taking roughly 2-2.5 hours in normal traffic. Departures run frequently through the day, from as early as around 4:30am to as late as 10pm, so you’re rarely waiting long for the next coach.

Ekkamai is the better choice for most travellers. It sits right by BTS Ekkamai station on the Sukhumvit line, about a 5-minute walk, which makes onward travel across central Bangkok simple. Mo Chit is more useful if you’re specifically headed to northern Bangkok or connecting through the Mo Chit BTS/MRT interchange. Either way, book at the counter on arrival or reserve ahead online during busy holiday periods, when seats can sell out on the most popular departure times.

Direct bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport

If you’re flying out of Bangkok, you don’t need to route through the city first. A direct Roong Reuang Coach bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) costs ฿162 (about US$5) and takes about 2 hours. The key detail: this bus leaves from a different terminal than the Ekkamai/Mo Chit coaches, Jomtien Bus Station, south of central Pattaya, rather than the North Pattaya terminal, so plan your route to the right stop. Departures run through the day, spaced roughly every 2 hours; confirm the current timetable at the counter, since schedules on this route shift periodically.

For a faster or more flexible option, a pre-booked taxi transfer starts from around ฿1,199 (US$36) depending on the operator and vehicle, and a Grab lands in a comparable range. For what to do once you land, see our Bangkok airport to city guide.

The train: cheapest fare, slowest ride

The daily 3rd-class train from Pattaya railway station is the cheapest way to Bangkok at just ฿30 (about US$1), departing at 14:21 and reaching Hua Lamphong station roughly 3.5 to 4 hours later, in basic fan-cooled seating. It stops along the way rather than running express, so treat it as a cheap, scenic ride rather than a practical time-saver.

On weekends, a faster air-conditioned express (Train No. 998) departs 16:26 and covers the same route in about 2.5 hours for ฿170 (about US$5), a better pick if your dates line up and you want the comfort without paying private-transfer prices. Either way, there’s only one or two departures a day on this line, so build the fixed schedule into your plans rather than expecting frequent service.

Private taxi and Grab: door-to-door

If you value comfort, have luggage, or are travelling as a group, a private taxi or fixed-price transfer is the door-to-door option. Rates from Pattaya run ฿1,399 (US$42) for a standard sedan, rising through ฿1,499 (US$45) for a premium sedan, ฿1,599 (US$48) for an MPV, and ฿1,699 (US$52) for an SUV, all typically including tolls, fuel, and insurance in the quoted price. A GrabCar is the on-demand equivalent, usually landing a bit cheaper at around ฿1,200-1,500 (US$36-45), booked straight from the app once you’re ready to leave. The trade-off: not every Grab driver accepts a long inter-provincial trip, so a pre-booked transfer is the more reliable pick if you have a fixed deadline, like a flight.

Which should you pick?

If you’re not in a rush and want the best balance of price and comfort, take the bus to Ekkamai, it’s cheap, frequent, and easy to continue your journey from on the BTS. If you’re flying out of Bangkok, the direct Jomtien to Suvarnabhumi bus is the simplest budget route, with a private transfer as the faster, deadline-safe alternative. If you have luggage, a group, or a tight schedule, book a taxi transfer rather than relying on a Grab you might not get accepted. And take the train only if the cheap, slow ride is the point, or you specifically want the weekend air-conditioned express.

Honest downsides to know about

  • Traffic is the wildcard on every road option. Bus, taxi, and Grab are all at the mercy of Bangkok-bound traffic; Friday and Sunday afternoons and public holidays can add 45 minutes to an hour or more to a scheduled 2-2.5 hour trip.
  • The Suvarnabhumi bus leaves from a different terminal. Heading to the airport means Jomtien Bus Station, not the North Pattaya terminal used for Ekkamai and Mo Chit; check you’re at the right stop before you commit to a songthaew or taxi ride to get there.
  • The train schedule is thin. One daily 3rd-class departure and a weekend-only express mean the train rarely fits a tight itinerary; it’s a deliberate, unhurried choice, not a fallback.
  • Not every Grab accepts long inter-provincial trips. If a fixed departure time matters (a flight, a train connection elsewhere), a pre-booked private transfer is the safer bet over an on-demand Grab.
  • Schedules shift. Bus departure times, especially on the Suvarnabhumi route, have changed more than once in recent years; confirm current times at the counter or with the operator before you travel.

Bottom line

For most trips from Pattaya to Bangkok, the Ekkamai bus from Pattaya Bus Terminal at ฿148 is the easiest, best-value choice, cheap, frequent, and a short walk from the BTS on arrival. Flying out of Bangkok, the direct Suvarnabhumi bus from Jomtien at ฿162 skips the city entirely, or book a private transfer if your flight time is tight. With luggage or a group, the extra cost of a taxi or Grab buys real door-to-door convenience. Whichever you choose, pad your timing on Friday and Sunday afternoons.

Planning the Bangkok end of the trip? See our things to do in Bangkok guide for the city itself, or if you’re heading back to Pattaya later, the Bangkok to Pattaya guide covers that direction in full. Check outthailand.com’s live events listings for what’s on wherever you land.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way from Pattaya to Bangkok?

The daily 3rd-class train from Pattaya station is the cheapest at ฿30 (about US$1), though it's slow at roughly 3.5-4 hours in basic fan-cooled seating, departing at 14:21. For a faster cheap option, the Roong Reuang Coach bus from Pattaya Bus Terminal to Ekkamai costs ฿148 (US$4) and takes about 2-2.5 hours on an air-conditioned coach, which is the better all-round value for most travellers.

How long does it take to get from Pattaya to Bangkok?

It's roughly 150km, so the bus to Ekkamai or Mo Chit is scheduled at about 2-2.5 hours, a private taxi or Grab covers it in a similar 1.5-2.5 hours in light traffic, and the daily train takes about 3.5-4 hours. The weekend air-conditioned express train (No. 998) is faster at about 2.5 hours. Friday and Sunday afternoons and public holidays, when traffic into Bangkok is heaviest, can add 45 minutes to an hour on any road option.

Where do I catch the bus from Pattaya to Bangkok?

Buses to Ekkamai and Mo Chit both leave from Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road, about 3km from the central beach area. The bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport is different: it departs from Jomtien Bus Station further south, so double-check which terminal you need depending on where you're headed in Bangkok. Roong Reuang Coach runs both routes, with tickets available at the counter or online in advance.

How do I get from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport?

A direct Roong Reuang Coach bus leaves from Jomtien Bus Station for ฿162 (US$5) and takes about 2 hours, with departures spread through the day roughly every 2 hours; confirm the current timetable at the counter since schedules shift periodically. For a faster door-to-door option, a private taxi transfer runs from around ฿1,199 (US$36) depending on the operator and vehicle, and a Grab lands in a comparable range. See our [Bangkok airport to city guide](/guide/bangkok-airport-to-city/) for what happens once you land.

Is there a direct train from Pattaya to Bangkok?

Yes. The daily 3rd-class train departs Pattaya station at 14:21 and reaches Hua Lamphong in about 3.5-4 hours for ฿30 (US$1), with basic fan-cooled seating. On weekends, a faster air-conditioned express (Train No. 998) departs 16:26 and covers the same route in about 2.5 hours for ฿170 (US$5). It's a cheap, scenic option rather than a practical time-saver, so plan around the fixed departure times rather than expecting frequent trains.

How much is a taxi or Grab from Pattaya to Bangkok?

A private taxi runs ฿1,399 (US$42) for a standard sedan, rising to ฿1,499-1,699 (US$45-52) for a premium sedan, MPV, or SUV, with tolls, fuel, and insurance included in the price. A GrabCar typically costs a bit less, around ฿1,200-1,500 (US$36-45), though it's booked on demand rather than pre-arranged, and not every driver accepts a long inter-provincial fare. Both are the fastest, most comfortable door-to-door options, useful with luggage or a group splitting the fare.

Should I take the bus to Ekkamai or Mo Chit?

Ekkamai (the Eastern Bus Terminal) is the better pick for most travellers since it sits on the BTS Skytrain (Ekkamai station, about a 5-minute walk), making onward travel around central Bangkok and Sukhumvit easy. Mo Chit, in northern Bangkok, is more useful if you're headed to that side of the city or connecting onward from the Mo Chit BTS/MRT interchange. The fare difference is small, ฿148 to Ekkamai versus ฿158 to Mo Chit, so pick based on where you're actually going, not price.

What's the best option if I have an early flight from Bangkok?

Build in a generous buffer and skip the cheapest options. The direct bus from Jomtien to Suvarnabhumi is the simplest choice if its schedule lines up with your flight, but a pre-booked private taxi transfer is the safer bet for an early or tightly timed departure, since it doesn't depend on a fixed bus timetable and isn't affected by counter queues. Avoid the daily train entirely for a flight connection, its single afternoon departure and 3.5-4 hour run time don't fit most flight schedules.

Out Thailand Team

Based in Chiang Mai

The Out Thailand team lives in and around Chiang Mai and writes practical, on-the-ground guides to events, cost of living, and daily life in Thailand.