Quick Options Ranked by Reliability
| Mode | Time | Cost | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Train (Score: 8) | 2h 29m | 170 THB | AC, 2nd Class |
| Ordinary Train (Score: 7) | 3h 54m | 30 THB | Fan, Benches |
Rapid Train wins for speed and sanity. Ordinary Train wins if you’re broke or chasing that backpacker street cred. No middle ground here.
Pattaya to Bangkok Train Schedule 2026
Pattaya Railway Station runs 2 trains daily. The 14:21 Ordinary Train chugs along every single day. The 16:26 Rapid Train only runs Saturdays and Sundays. Miss the weekend express? You’re stuck with the slow boat.
State Railway of Thailand doesn’t do real-time tracking. Delays happen. Saw a 40-minute holdup last month because a freight train broke down near Chonburi. Budget extra time if you’ve got a flight or meeting.
Check live schedules on 12Go before you commit. Weekend trains sell out during Songkran and New Year.
Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable Options
Cheapest: Ordinary Train at 30 THB. You’ll pay more for a coffee at Central Pattaya Starbucks.
Fastest: Rapid Train shaves 90 minutes off. Worth 140 baht? If you value your knees and lungs, yes.
Most Reliable: Rapid Train scores 8/10. Fewer stops mean fewer chances to break down. Ordinary Train scores 7/10 because it stops at every water buffalo crossing.
Ticket Prices, Booking & Amenities Comparison
Ordinary Train tickets? Station only. No online booking. Show up 30 minutes early with cash. Ticket window closes 10 minutes before departure. Watched a German guy miss the train last week because he tried paying with a card. Brutal.
Rapid Train? Book 1-2 days ahead on 12Go. Print your e-ticket or save the PDF. Staff at Pattaya Railway Station don’t always have scanners so paper backup saves headaches.
Amenities Breakdown:
- Rapid Train: AC cranked to arctic. Bring a hoodie. 2nd Class seats recline slightly. Toilet exists but smells like regret by hour two.
- Ordinary Train: Fans spin lazily. Windows stay open. Dust blows in. Seats are wooden slats. No toilet paper ever. Bring your own.
Luggage? Both trains allow standard bags. Rapid Train has overhead racks. Ordinary Train? Shove it under your seat or sit on it.
Station Guides: Pattaya & Hua Lamphong
Pattaya Railway Station: Tiny. One platform. No food stalls inside. 7-Eleven across the street for snacks. Taxis lurk outside charging 150 THB to Jomtien. Songthaews cost 10 THB if you’re patient.
Getting there from North Pattaya? Grab a songthaew on Sukhumvit for 10 THB. Takes 20 minutes. Don’t overpay taxis.
Hua Lamphong Station (Bangkok): Chaos. MRT station downstairs connects you to the city. Taxis queue outside but meter scams are common. Insist on the meter or walk 200m to hail one on the street.
Pros/Cons, Tips & Alternatives
Pros of Train Travel: Cheap. Scenic views of rice paddies and industrial zones. No traffic jams. You can walk around unlike a bus.
Cons: Limited schedule. Ordinary Train is a sweatbox. Rapid Train only runs twice a week. Delays happen with zero warning.
Alternatives: Buses from Pattaya Bus Terminal 2 to Bangkok run every 30 minutes for 120-150 THB. Faster than Ordinary Train but you’re stuck in a seat for 2.5 hours. Minivans cost 200 THB and drive like they’re fleeing a crime scene. Private taxi? 1,200-1,500 THB. Only worth it if you’re splitting with 3+ people.
Flying? U-Tapao Airport is 45 minutes south. Domestic flights to Bangkok cost 800+ THB. Overkill unless you’re connecting internationally.
Train beats bus for legroom and bathroom breaks. Loses to bus for frequency. Your call.
3h 54m
