Getting Around Pattaya: Bus, Songthaew, Taxi, Grab & Ferry
Pattaya’s got no metro—just baht buses, Grab surge, airport shuttles. Beach Road songthaews run 10 THB loops. Second Road? Same truck, opposite direction. Grab’s AC costs 20x but skips crowds. Ferry hits Koh Larn in 40 minutes when seas calm.
Airport bus dumps you at North Pattaya hotels for 300 THB. Taxis? Meter scams at every rank. Cash only everywhere—7-Eleven ATMs charge 220 THB fees.
Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable Transport Comparison
| Mode | Cost | Speed | Reliability | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Bus | 50-300 THB | Fixed schedule | 8/10 | AC, luggage space |
| Songthaew | 10-20 THB | Continuous | 7/10 | Open air, crowded |
| Grab | 200-800 THB | On-demand | 6/10 | AC, GPS tracked |
| Ferry | 30-150 THB | 15-30 min | 6/10 | Open deck, choppy |
| Taxi | 100-500 THB | 24/7 | 5/10 | AC, haggle first |
Airport bus wins reliability—fixed 50 THB from terminals, no surge. Songthaew’s 10 THB can’t be beat if you’re hitting Beach Road spots. Grab? 600 THB surge at midnight kills budgets. Ferry’s cheap but monsoon cancels wreck island plans.
Fares, Schedules & Booking Links (2026 Updated)
Songthaews don’t take cards—stuff 20 THB notes in pocket. Airport bus jumps 50 to 300 THB depending on terminal. Book 12Go a day ahead for Songkran/New Year peaks. Grab’s base 200 THB doubles at dinner rush.
Ferry tickets? 30 THB at Bali Hai window, 150 THB for speedboat charter. Taxis quote 500 flat to Jomtien Beach—counter with 300 metered or walk. Apps crash when WiFi dies, carry cash backup.
Booking Apps That Actually Work
Grab needs Thai SIM or hotel WiFi—airport connection drops mid-booking. 12Go locks airport shuttle seats 24 hours out. Klook ferry passes skip pier queues but weather refunds take weeks. Download everything before you land, Suvarnabhumi 4G’s a joke.
Comfort & Amenities: Reliability Scores by Mode
Airport bus AC freezes you at 18°C—bring hoodie for 2-hour Suvarnabhumi rides. Songthaews? Open-air diesel fumes, no seatbelts. Grab cars hit 25°C comfort but motorbike taxis spray exhaust in your face. Ferry life jackets smell like mold, seats crack plastic.
Reliability scores: Airport bus 8/10 (weather-proof), songthaew 7/10 (traffic jams), Grab 6/10 (surge kills availability), ferry 6/10 (monsoon cancels), taxi 5/10 (scam central). Luggage? Bus wins, baht bus squeezes backpacks on laps.
What You Actually Get
Airport shuttle: reclining seats, under-storage, USB ports dead. Songthaew: bench seats, hand rails, roof leaks in rain. Grab: standard sedan, bottled water sometimes, driver’s phone mount blocks AC vent. Taxi: torn upholstery, meter mystery, no trunk space for big bags.
Avoiding Scams: Safety Tips for Pattaya Transport
Taxi meter scam: Driver clicks off after 100m, quotes 500 flat. Demand restart or bail. Airport touts push 800 THB rides—walk to Grab pickup zone instead. Songthaew “off-route” trap: Driver detours to commission shop, charges 200 for “private” trip you didn’t ask for.
Grab safety: Screenshot license plate, share trip. Motorbike taxis skip helmets—refuse ride. Ferry overload: boats cram 50 past capacity, life jackets buried under seats. Heading to Nong Nooch? Negotiate songthaew flat rate before climbing in, not after.
Real Costs Hidden Fees
Airport bus “300 THB” adds 50 THB luggage surcharge at counter. Grab airport pickups charge 50 THB extra—app hides it till receipt. Taxi trunk fee? Made-up 100 THB for suitcase. Ferry “express”? Same boat, different ticket color, double price. Always confirm final cost before moving.
Need route to Rayong or Chonburi? Bus terminal’s your hub—songthaews don’t leave city limits.
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