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🏝️ Koh Larn Trip Plan

Pattaya & Koh Larn Plan
City Days + a Clear-Water Island

Pattaya and Koh Larn are only a 30–45 minute ferry ride apart, so they pair up into an easy little trip. Spend the first day wandering Pattaya itself — a viewpoint, a wooden temple, a beach stroll — then wake up early on day two and cross over to swim and laze on Koh Larn. We've laid this out as a plan you can actually follow, with ferry times, rough prices, and the heads-ups that regulars wish someone had told them.

⛴️ Ferry 30 THB/trip🏖️ Clear water near Bangkok📸 Two viewpoints
Pattaya & Koh Larn Plan City Days + a Clear-Water Island

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Koh Larn is one of the easiest islands to reach in eastern Thailand — the one sitting right off Pattaya. Drive or bus from Bangkok to Pattaya in about 2 hours, then catch the ferry at Bali Hai Pier for another 30–45 minutes across the water. The appeal is getting both the buzz of Pattaya and a clear-water beach in a single trip. This 2-day, 1-night plan puts the city on day one and gives the whole of day two to the island. You can sleep in Pattaya or cross over and stay on Koh Larn — either works.

Trip Overview and Getting Around

The ferry leaves from Bali Hai Pier (at the far end of Walking Street). A standard ferry ticket is 30 THB per person each way, same price for adults and kids. Ferries from Bali Hai out to Koh Larn run roughly at 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00 and 18:30. Return ferries from the island's Na Baan Pier start around 06:30 and run until about 18:00. If you don't want to wait, you can charter a speedboat for the group, or buy a per-seat speedboat ticket at Bali Hai — pricier, but faster and you get to pick which beach you land at.

Ferry times can shift

Schedules change with the season and the weather, and on long holiday weekends the ferries get packed. Check the latest departures at the pier or on a Koh Larn community page before you set off, and leave extra time for the ticket queue on busy mornings.

  • Bangkok → Pattaya — minivans and coaches from Ekkamai or Mo Chit, about 2 hours, or drive yourself down the motorway
  • Around Pattaya — songthaews (the red shared trucks) loop the city; hop on and off along the route for 10–30 THB, just tell the driver your stop before boarding
  • Pattaya → Koh Larn — ferry from Bali Hai Pier, 30 THB each way, 30–45 minutes
  • On Koh Larn — rent a motorbike for about 200–300 THB/day, or take a songthaew between beaches starting around 20–40 THB
🎟️

Book the activities in your Koh Larn trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

🎟️ Top tours in Koh LarnHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Koh Larn attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from Koh LarnOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Koh Larn activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide
🎟️ See all Koh Larn tours & activities (Klook)

Day 1 — Exploring Pattaya

Use the first day to cover the city side. Start at a viewpoint mid-morning, take in a wooden temple, then end with the evening buzz along the beach. Budget extra travel time between stops, because Pattaya traffic gets fairly snarled in the late afternoon.

Day 1

Exploring Pattaya City

10:00
Pratumnak Hill, Pattaya viewpointA low hill near the city with a panoramic view over Pattaya Bay, plus photo spots and a viewing pavilion. Go early before the sun gets harsh. Free to visit.
12:00
Lunch in South PattayaSouth Pattaya and the Lan Pho market in Naklua are full of seafood and rice-and-curry shops — pick whatever suits your budget.
14:00
Sanctuary of TruthA carved-wood temple on the sea at Laem Ratchawet. Entry is around 500 THB per adult; check the current price and opening hours before you go. Dress modestly. They hand out hard hats when you walk near the still-under-construction sections.
17:00
Stroll Pattaya Beach / night marketWalk the beachfront in the cooling breeze, or drop by a night market for snacks, then rest up so you can get an early start the next morning.
19:30
Dinner + Walking Street (if you want to see it)Walking Street comes alive from evening into the night — it's the nightlife district, more of an adults' scene. With family, walk through in the early evening or head over to the beach side instead.

Where to stay

If you want to catch the early ferry, staying around South Pattaya near Bali Hai Pier is the most convenient — you can just walk to the pier in the morning. To cut out a travel day entirely, you could cross to Koh Larn and sleep on the island from the first evening, but accommodation on the island is limited, so book ahead, especially on holidays.

Day 2 — Ferry to Koh Larn

Day two is the heart of the trip. Take one of the early ferries and you'll get both an uncrowded boat and an empty beach. Koh Larn has several beaches to suit different moods — Tawaen Beach is lively with plenty of shops, Samae and Nual beaches are quieter, and the windmill viewpoint gives you a 360-degree look over the sea.

Day 2

Clear Waters of Koh Larn

07:00
Take the early ferry from Bali Hai PierThe morning ferry is less crowded than the later ones. The crossing takes about 30–45 minutes; land at Na Baan Pier and grab a songthaew to the beach you want.
08:30
Tawaen Beach — swimming + water sportsThe island's main beach: white sand, clear water, umbrellas and loungers, banana boats and parasailing. Always check the price, the condition of the gear and the safety setup before you go in, and agree on the price clearly before you start.
11:00
Windmill viewpointUp on a hill with a 360-degree view of the sea around the island. Get there by rented motorbike or chartered ride; the road is a little steep, so ride carefully. On clear mornings the photos come out great.
12:30
Seafood lunch by the beachBeachfront restaurants near Tawaen and the other beaches — places like Nong Rew Seafood or Saudi Seafood. Seafood is priced by weight, so ask the per-kilo price before you order.
14:00
Nual / Samae Beach — chill on a quiet beachTo escape the crowds, head to Nual or Samae Beach — clear water, fewer people, and a seaside café or two where you can sit in the breeze. Good for photos and a calm rest.
16:30
Pack up and take the ferry back to PattayaGet to the pier with time to spare before the last ferry. On holidays the return queue is long, so leaving early beats missing the boat. And don't forget to take your trash with you to dispose of properly.

Which Beach Suits Whom

Lively

Tawaen Beach

The main beach and the liveliest — restaurants, loungers, the full range of water sports. Great if you want convenience and activities, but it gets crowded on holidays.

Quiet

Nual Beach

A small, quiet beach with clear water and fewer people, plus a seaside café. Good for anyone who wants a low-key rest.

Snorkeling

Samae Beach

A relaxed, semi-private feel with clear water — good for settling in for hours and snorkeling over shallow coral on clear days.

What to Know Before You Go

  • Mornings are best — long holiday weekends get very crowded, with packed ferries and full beaches. Taking one of the first ferries is far more comfortable.
  • Vet the water sports first — for banana boats and parasailing, ask the price clearly and check the condition of the gear and life jackets before deciding.
  • The sea isn't always clear — on windy or rainy days the water turns murkier than usual. It isn't crystal-clear every single day, so manage expectations.
  • Take your trash back — help keep the beaches clean; carry a bag for your own rubbish and dispose of it back on the mainland.
  • Bring cash — many shops on the island are cash-only and ATMs are limited, so bring enough with you.

Want a detailed Koh Larn plan and recommended places to stay?

See the Koh Larn travel guide →

FAQ

How much is the ferry from Pattaya to Koh Larn, and how long does it take?

A standard ferry from Bali Hai Pier is 30 THB per person each way and takes about 30–45 minutes. Speedboats are faster but cost more — pick whichever fits your budget and timing.

Is it better to go to Koh Larn in the morning or the afternoon?

We'd go in the morning, especially on holidays, because it gets crowded and the ferries fill up — the beach is emptier early on. Taking one of the first ferries also means a better pick of beach seating.

Can you do Koh Larn as a day trip?

Yes. Take a morning ferry over and a late-afternoon ferry back and you can cover the main beach in a single day. But if you want to hit several beaches and the viewpoint without rushing, an overnight in Pattaya or on the island is more relaxed.

Which Koh Larn beach is best for families?

Tawaen Beach is the most convenient, with restaurants, loungers and the full range of activities. If you'd rather have quiet and clearer water, try Nual or Samae Beach, which see fewer people.

Is the water at Koh Larn always clear?

Not every day. On windy or rainy days the water gets murkier than usual; the clearest water tends to come on calm, sunny days. Checking the weather forecast before you go helps.

Related

🗺️ Koh Larn Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Koh Larn Stays🏄 Koh Larn Water Sports

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