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 →
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".
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...
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.
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.
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.
Nature
Ko Rin
Nature
Ko Sak
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.
2 nights, 3 days
Pattaya 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)
A 3-day route through Pattaya covering Ko Lan, Sanctuary of Truth, Ocean 1 Tower, Ko Sak and other highlights, grouped so each day stays within a short travel distance.
3 nights, 4 days
Pattaya 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)
A 4-day route through Pattaya covering Ko Lan, Sanctuary of Truth, Ocean 1 Tower, Ko Sak and other highlights, grouped so each day stays within a short travel distance.
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.
- Metro & rail
- No metro.
- 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.
- Transit cards & payment
- Mostly cash. Keep small notes for songthaews.
- Airport to city
- About two hours by road from Suvarnabhumi. Airport buses and pre-booked transfers are available.
- 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.
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
See all stays →Pick your dates — we'll search Pattaya hotels for you
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Guides by theme
Best value
Where should you stay in Pattaya for the best value without booking blind?
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5-star & luxury
Where should you stay in Pattaya for a 5-star or luxury trip?
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Pool villas & resorts
Where should you stay in Pattaya for a pool villa or resort trip?
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Family travel
Where should families stay in Pattaya, and how does each area connect to the beach and sights?
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Couples & honeymoon
Where to Stay in Pattaya for Couples and Honeymoons
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Central & near stations
Where to stay in central Pattaya if there's no metro to rely on
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