Quick Options Ranked by Reliability
| Mode | Time | Cost | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roong Reuang Bus | 2h 30m | 140–160 THB | ⭐⭐⭐ (Score: 8) |
| T Tour Minivan | 2h 30m | 180–220 THB | ⭐⭐ (Score: 5) |
Roong Reuang’s the safe bet. Runs hourly from 06:00 to 22:00 out of Ekkamai’s main hall. Find the Pattaya counter, grab a ticket, wait on the platform. Minivans cluster near the terminal but good luck finding the right one without your 12Go voucher printed out.
Bus Schedule: Hourly Departures from Ekkamai to Pattaya (2026)
First bus rolls at 06:00. Last one’s at 22:00. Roughly one every hour in between. Weekdays you can walk up and buy same-day. Fridays after 16:00? Forget it. Everyone’s escaping Bangkok for Pattaya beaches. Book on 12Go Thursday night or you’re stuck waiting two hours for a seat.
Check-in’s at the Roong Reuang counter in the main ticket hall. Platforms are signed in Thai and English. Arrive 20 minutes early to pick your seat. Front rows = less engine noise. Back rows = every pothole feels like a kidney punch.
Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable: Complete Operator Comparison
Roong Reuang wins all three categories. Cheaper than the minivan by 40 baht. Same travel time but you get a toilet and WiFi that works for 20 minutes. Reliability score’s an 8 because they actually leave on time and don’t wait around for passengers like minivans do.
T Tour minivans score a 5. They’re fine if you’re solo with a backpack and don’t mind sitting behind someone’s reclining seat for two hours. Luggage policy’s brutal: one small bag or you’re buying an extra seat. Saw a German couple get charged 400 baht for a second suitcase last month. Driver didn’t budge.
Ticket Prices & Booking: Roong Reuang, T Tour & Minivan Options
Roong Reuang’s 140-160 baht depending on seat choice. Front costs more. Book walk-up at Ekkamai or lock it in online. T Tour minivans run 180-220 baht. Pricier because they drop you in central Pattaya instead of the North Bus Terminal. Worth it if your hotel’s on Beach Road and you hate taxis.
Payment at the counter’s cash only. 12Go takes cards but adds a small booking fee. Compare current schedules on 12Go before you commit. Prices jump 20-30 baht during Songkran and New Year.
Minivan vs Bus: Direct Hotel Transfers & Travel Time Analysis
Neither goes door-to-door. Bus dumps you at Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Pattaya Road. From there you’re grabbing a songthaew (30 baht shared, 150 baht private) or a Grab. Minivans stop at T Tour Station closer to Walking Street. Saves you 10 minutes and 50 baht in taxi fare but you pay for it upfront in ticket price and leg cramps.
Travel time’s identical on paper. Reality? Bus sits in traffic like everyone else. Minivans weave through lanes like they’re training for rally racing. Doesn’t save time, just spikes your adrenaline. If you’re heading to Hua Hin Beach after Pattaya, same bus vs minivan logic applies.
Travel Tips: Distance, Luggage Rules & How to Avoid Scams at Ekkamai
Distance is 147 km. Should take 1 hour 50 minutes with no traffic. You’ll never see that. Budget 2.5 hours minimum. Roong Reuang allows one medium suitcase in the hold plus a cabin bag. Oversized stuff costs extra at the driver’s discretion. Minivans? One small roller or backpack. Anything bigger and you’re negotiating or buying a second seat.
Scam alert: Touts outside Ekkamai will wave printed signs saying “Pattaya 100 baht.” Lie. They cram you into an unregistered van, make four hotel stops, and suddenly it’s 250 baht when you arrive. Roong Reuang and T Tour counters are inside the terminal. Ignore everyone outside. If you’re flying into U-Tapao Airport later, reverse this route and take the bus back to Bangkok instead of a 1,200 baht taxi.
Food and snacks on Roong Reuang buses are hit or miss. Sometimes they hand out a bottle of water and a sad cookie. Sometimes nothing. Bring your own. 7-Eleven’s right outside Ekkamai. Stock up before boarding. WiFi password’s usually taped to the seat in front of you but signal dies once you hit the countryside.
2h 30m
