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Thailand

Plan your Pattaya trip here

About two hours from Bangkok, often combined with it. Beaches and nightlife within a short strip.

Updated August 2, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Gateway airport
Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Best season
Nov–Feb
Time zone
Asia/Bangkok
Sights covered
16 places

Sights worth seeing

See all 16 →
Ko Lan

Nature

Ko Lan

Ko Lan is one of the eastern seaboard islands of Thailand. Ko Lan lies 7.5 km from the nearest shore, Pattaya. "Ko Lan" is the name of the island in the Royal Thai General System of Transcription. It is also known as "Koh Larn" and "Ko Laan".

Sanctuary of Truth

Parks & gardens

Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth is an unfinished museum in Pattaya, Thailand designed by Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphan. The museum structure is a hybrid of a temple and a castle that is themed on the Ayutthaya Kingdom and of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. The building is notably constructed entirely out of wood, specifically Mai Deang, Mai Takien, Mai Panchaat, and Teak. It contains only wood-carved idols and sculptures. Construction first began in 1981 and is still in construction, though visitors are permitted inside with hard hats. Located on 13 hectares of land, the museum houses an internal space o...

Ko Phai

Nature

Ko Phai

Ko Phai is the largest island in Mu Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่), a small uninhabited archipelago on the eastern seaboard of Thailand. It is about 21 km to the west of Pattaya. It is also known as "Koh Pai". It is also mentioned as "Bamboo Island", the meaning of its name in Thai, in tourist guides.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

Zoos & aquariums

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, also called Nongnooch Pattaya Garden, is a 500-acre (2.0 km2) botanical garden and tourist attraction in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Located on Sukhumvit road, it can be reached via bus, taxi or private land transportation. It is also a major scientific center dedicated to cycads, with its own Cycad Gene Bank.

Ramayana Water Park

Theme parks

Ramayana Water Park

Ramayana Water Park is a water park in Pattaya, which is a 2-hour drive from Bangkok and 15 kilometers south of Pattaya City. It is one of the biggest water theme parks in Southeast Asia.

Ko Rin

Nature

Ko Rin

Ko Sak

Nature

Ko Sak

Ocean 1 Tower

Views & landmarks

Ocean 1 Tower

Ocean One was a proposed skyscraper intended for construction at Jomtien Beach, located near Pattaya, Thailand. The planned structure was designed to reach a height of 367 metres (1,204 ft) with 91 floors and a total of 587 residential units. The proposed site lies just 250 meters from one of Asia's most popular beaches. If completed, Ocean One would have claimed the title of the tallest building in Thailand.

How many days do you need?

Routes grouped by travel distance so each day stays comfortable.

Getting there

Check flights to Pattaya first

Pick a departure airport and date to jump straight to results for Suvarnabhumi (BKK).

Check fares and seat availability on the flight search site.

Getting around the city

What you will actually use to get around Pattaya, and whether you need a car.

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Metro & rail
No metro.
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Buses & trams
Songthaews (converted pickup trucks) circle fixed routes. Flag one down and press the buzzer to get off — the cheapest way around town. Chartering one costs differently, so agree before you board.
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Transit cards & payment
Mostly cash. Keep small notes for songthaews.
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Airport to city
About two hours by road from Suvarnabhumi. Airport buses and pre-booked transfers are available.
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Car rental
Songthaews are enough within Pattaya. Consider a car or scooter only for the beaches further out.

Book transport

Fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them here. Check the operator or the booking site for current prices and schedules.

Getting to other cities

Useful when you're combining several cities. Times are approximate; fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them.

Pattaya → Bangkok 101 km as the crow flies

Bangkok and Pattaya are close enough that flying makes no sense; almost everyone goes by road. Private car, taxi, or hotel transfer is the most direct option, while buses and minivans from Bangkok's Ekkamai or Mo Chit terminals are the common budget choice.

  • car / taxi · about 1.5 to 2 hours Direct via the motorway from central Bangkok or Suvarnabhumi Airport; time varies with Bangkok traffic.
  • bus · about 2 to 2.5 hours Regular coach services run from Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Pattaya's bus station.
  • minivan · about 1.5 to 2 hours Shared minivans depart from various Bangkok points, including Victory Monument and Suvarnabhumi Airport, direct to Pattaya.
  • train · about 3 to 4 hours A limited State Railway service runs from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong area to Pattaya, but it is slow and infrequent, so few travellers use it.

Where to stay

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