🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The best thing about Chonburi and Pattaya is how easy they are to reach — they're among the closest beach destinations to Bangkok. Drive yourself and you're there in an hour and a half to two hours; no car, and vans and buses run almost all day. For getting around Pattaya itself, the red songthaew is the real workhorse, and it's cheap enough to surprise you. On this page we run through each option one by one.
Driving yourself — Motorway 7
The main route from Bangkok is Highway 7 (the motorway), on the Bangkok–Chonburi–Pattaya stretch — about 126 km in total. It normally takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. Friday evenings and long weekends get busier than usual, so leave a bit of extra time and you'll be more relaxed.
- Tolls are distance-based — a four-wheel car pays at most around 105 THB for the full route, with no flat entry fee; you pay according to where you exit.
- Free alternative — if you'd rather skip the tolls, take Bang Na–Trat Road (Highway 34), but there are far more traffic lights and it's slower.
- Extension to Map Ta Phut — if you're heading past Pattaya toward Rayong, Motorway 7 now runs all the way to Map Ta Phut, which makes it much more convenient.
Before you set off
Top up your Easy Pass / M-Pass so you have enough — it gets you through the tollgates much faster than the cash lanes, especially on holidays when the queues are long.
Vans and buses — running all day
If you don't have a car, vans and buses are the main options. They leave Bangkok from both Ekkamai (the Eastern Bus Terminal) and Mo Chit. Fares start at around 130–230 THB depending on the company and your drop-off point, and the trip takes about 2.5 hours.
BKS bus, Ekkamai → Pattaya
The most popular route by far. Buses run almost hourly from morning to evening, dropping you at Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road, where you switch to a songthaew into town. Good for solo travellers or anyone who isn't in a rush.
T.Tour van, Ekkamai → Pattaya
A heavily used van service that leaves roughly every hour, and you can book online in advance. It's a touch faster than the bus because it makes fewer stops — handy if you want to get there quickly.
Bus/van, Mo Chit → Pattaya
The choice for anyone on the north or west side of Bangkok — no need to cross the city to Ekkamai. Several companies run both buses and vans from here.
Van/shuttle from Suvarnabhumi Airport
If you land at Suvarnabhumi and want to go straight to Pattaya without heading into the city, there are buses and shuttle vans running between the airport and Pattaya. It saves time and you don't have to drag your luggage into Bangkok.
About drop-off points
Most BKS buses drop you at the North Pattaya bus terminal, which is a fair distance from the beach — budget a little extra for a songthaew into town. Some vans run right into central Pattaya, so check the drop-off point when you book.
Train — cheapest but slow
An air-conditioned diesel railcar runs from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) through Chonburi, Si Racha, and Pattaya, all the way to the end of the line near Phlu Ta Luang. The full-route fare is around 170 THB — cheap and air-conditioned, but it takes longer than the road options and there are only a few services a day. It suits people who enjoy a scenic train ride more than anyone in a hurry.
- Outbound — leaves Hua Lamphong around 06:45, reaching Chonburi around 08:36 and Pattaya station around 09:13.
- Return — leaves Pattaya in the afternoon around 16:26, passes Si Racha and Chonburi, and gets back to Hua Lamphong in the evening.
- Drop-off — Pattaya station is outside town, so you'll need onward transport to the beach; plan that connection in advance.
Check before you go
The Eastern Line timetable changes from time to time. Before you travel, double-check the latest departure times on the State Railway website (railway.co.th) to be sure.
Getting around Pattaya — the red songthaew
Within Pattaya, the red songthaew (rot daeng) is the main way locals get around, and it's very cheap. It loops along fixed routes — you don't charter it, you just flag one down, press the buzzer when you reach your stop, and pay on the way out.
- 10 THB per ride in town — it runs the main routes such as North Pattaya–Central Pattaya–South Pattaya, and a normal hop on and off costs 10 THB.
- Longer trips cost more — a long run like Naklua to Jomtien runs around 20 THB; you can ask the driver before you get on.
- Don't confuse it with a charter — if a driver isn't running the route and offers to take you straight to your spot, that's a charter and costs several times more. Always agree the price first.
- Buzz when you want to get off — there's a buzzer on the ceiling; press it, the driver stops, and you walk up to the driver's window to pay.
Besides songthaews, in Pattaya you can also use ride-hailing taxi apps, motorbike taxis, or rent a motorbike or car to drive yourself. If you rent a motorbike, wear a helmet and carry an international driving permit — there are police checkpoints from time to time.
Crossing to Koh Larn — Bali Hai Pier
The highlight of Pattaya is the boat across to Koh Larn, where the water is far clearer than at Pattaya Beach. Boats leave from Bali Hai Pier at the southern tip of Pattaya, and there are two options to choose from.
Ferry (slow boat)
A two-deck passenger ferry and the cheapest option, at 30 THB per person each way, taking around 30–45 minutes. It runs on a set timetable — good if you're not in a rush and want the atmosphere. Depending on the run, it lands at either Na Ban (the front pier) or Tawaen Beach.
Shared speedboat (per person)
Much faster than the ferry, reaching the island in around 10–15 minutes for about 150 THB per person. Good if you're short on time and want to get to the island fast, and you can pick the beach you want to land at more directly.
Private speedboat charter
Charter the whole boat for a group and set your own schedule. A small boat (up to 9 people) runs around 3,000 THB for a same-day return, and a larger one (up to 25 people) around 5,000 THB. Worth it if you're coming as a group or a big family.
The ferry from Bali Hai to Koh Larn runs several times a day from morning to evening (around 07:00–18:30), with the last boat back from the island around 17:00. Times can shift with the season and the weather. Going over in the morning and back in the evening makes for an easy day trip.
On Koh Larn
On the island there are songthaews running between the pier and the various beaches (such as Tawaen and Samae), charging per trip. Bring small cash, since many shops and boat operators still mainly take cash.
Which option is right for you
Family / lots of luggage
Driving Motorway 7 yourself is the most flexible — you can stop off at Si Racha or Bang Saen along the way. Budget around 100 THB for tolls.
Solo / on a budget
A bus or van from Ekkamai is the best value — frequent, easy to book, and once you reach Pattaya you switch to the 10-THB songthaew around town.
Love the train / no rush
The train is 170 THB for the full route — air-conditioned, with the views — but there are only a few services a day and the station is out of town, so you'll need onward transport.
Plan a full Chonburi–Pattaya trip — see more places to stay and things to do
See the Chonburi travel guide →