How to get to Pattaya ?

Pattaya being located only 150 kilometres south of Bangkok, there are no commercially viable alternatives to the road, save for the rail, and a single flight service from/to Koh Samui
Routes to Pattaya (from Bangkok)

By Bus and Taxi :

Recommended Taxi Service: Image Limousine often reffered as probably the safest and most luxurius way to get to/from Pattaya offers new Nissan Teana all fully insured, with English speaking drivers and a DVD system with 10 chanels. All tolls are fully inclusive and prices start at 2300 Baht one way. Pattaya Tel. 038 756658. Fax. 038 251521. Email: reservations@imagelimo.com or Visit their website at http://www.imagelimo.com
One of the taxi available in Bangkok - Taxi are of many different colors look for any with the sign Taxi - Meter on top.

Recommended Bus Service: Departure from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Pattaya bus station on North Pattaya road, every 30 minutes, daily from 05:00 till 22:00. Duration ±2½ hrs. One way fare: 101 baht.
Reservation: Rung Ruang Tour Tel. 3911230. Ekkamai Bus Terminal Tel. 02-391 9829, 392 9227.

Departure from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mor Chit) to the Pattaya Bus Station on North Pattaya road every 30 minutes, daily from 05:00 till 19:00. Duration ±2½ hrs. One way fare: 101 baht.

Reservation: Rung Ruang Tour Tel. 2712962. Mor Chit Bus terminal Tel. 0 2279 4484-7, 0 2272 5242, 0 2272 5761.

Rail Service: A rail service that runs once a day connects Bangkok to Pattaya station: leaving Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok, daily at 7:00 am, arriving Pattaya 10:25 am. (Call 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020, 0 2223 0341 for information).
Stopping at several destinations on the way, it is a pleasantly interesting journey--as it runs through the country side not seen from the road route.
Local Transportation:
If you arrived from a bus on your arrival, you can use collective pick-up taxis called "baht-buses" or "songthaew" (i.e. two-rows) which should take you anywhere in town for around 60 - 150 bath. Within the resort, those dark-blue pick-ups continually follow the circuit made up by passing from Beach-road to Pattaya 2nd-road and back. Fares are 10 baht per person per ride. If you know your destination on this circuit, wave your hand for the coming taxi to pick you up, jump on at the back and pay the fare after you alight (press the buzzer to stop the taxi).

There are also other routes going through Soi Buakhao, Pattaya Klang (Centre), Pattaya Tai (South) and Pattaya Nua (North). Up to Naklua, down to Jomtien, fares may increase to 20 baht or more. You can also hire the vehicle for yourself, or change route, then you must negotiate the price beforehand. For door-to-door trips, you can hire motorcycle-taxis [i.e. with a driver] available in strategic spots of the resort like at cross-roads or "commercial" places.

For more independence, and explore Pattaya's surrounding countryside and beaches at leisure, motorcycles of different capacities can be hired for one day, one week or one month. Customers are advised to check around prior making a choice because different companies offer different prices and conditions (don't forget to wear the compulsory helmet and be aware there is no insurance...).

Rent-a-car:*Pattaya Car Rent Centre, 437/157 Soi Yodsak. Private cars, vans, pick-up. 1st class insurance and services. Reasonable prices. Tel. 038 420 863, 038 361 358, 01-906-6307, 01-945 7850, F. 038 420 863

*VIA, 215/15-18 2nd road, opposite the Royal Garden Plaza. Cars are fully insured and well maintained. Australian management. Tel: 038 426 242, fax 038 426 243.
*AVIS, Dusit Resort (at the beginning of Beach-road).Tel: 038 361 627-8, Fax 0 2254 6718, Telex: 038 721 18 Avis Th.
*ARC, 389/114 moo 5, Sukhumvit road. Tel: 038 420 252, 01 861 3357, Fax: 038 420 252
*PP Car Rent, 193/156 Rungland Village, South Pattaya. Cars, jeeps and minibus for rent, as well as taxis. Tel. 038 426 552, 038 428 059.
*Budget, 333/1 moo 6, Sukhumvit road, Naklua. Tel.038 726 185, Fax: 038 726 362. Car, pick-up & truck rental, full insurance.There are scores of jeeps for rent (usually parked) on Beach-road, on the way to South Pattaya. You have to bargain and check if there is any insurance, otherwise an accident could prove costly.

Getting out of Pattaya (To Bangkok)
Several private but reliable companies operate (comfortable, air-conditioned) minibus-transfer from anywhere in Pattaya to Bangkok's Don Muang Airport. Actually, they come to pick you up at any address (within the resort) you mention at the time of booking (24hr before is sufficient).

By Bus and Taxi: Taking a bus from Pattaya

Recommended Bus Service: Departure from the bus terminal on Pattaya North road to Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) every 30 minutes daily from 05:30 to 21:00. One way fare: 90 baht.
Departure from the bus terminal on Pattaya North road to Northern Terminal (Mor Chit) every 30 minutes daily from 05:30 to 19:00. One way fare: 90 baht.

Departure from the bus terminal on Pattaya North road to Bangkok's Don Muang Airport, via the northern terminal at Mor Chit every two hours from 07:00 to 18:30. Book at least half an hour in advance and check the timings.

Recommended Taxi Service: Image Limousine often reffered as probably the safest and most luxurius way to get to/from Pattaya offers new Nissan Teana all fully insured, with English speaking drivers and a DVD system with 10 chanels. All tolls are fully inclusive and prices start at 2300 Baht one way. Pattaya Tel. 038 756658. Fax. 038 251521. Email: reservations@imagelimo.com or Visit their website at http://www.imagelimo.com
By train:Departure from Pattaya Railway station at 13:47 arriving 17:15 at Hua Lamphong station, Bangkok. Tel: 038 429 285. (No English spoken).

And if you want to GO EAST from Pattaya, buses (or any other road-vehicles) can take you to RAYONG, CHANTHABURI, TRAT, KOH (Island) CHANG...KANCHANABURI (130 km west of Bangkok), and its infamous River Khwai's bridge, is worth going too!