Pattaya Bus Terminal 2 to City Center: Quick Options Ranked
| Mode | Time | Cost | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roong Reuang Bus | 15 min | 131-163 THB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Songthaew | 15-20 min | 10-20 THB | ⭐⭐ |
| Metered Taxi | 10-15 min | 50-100 THB | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Shared Minivan | 15 min | 100-200 THB | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Terminal 2 sits on North Pattaya Road about 4km from the city center action near Terminal 21 mall. You’ll want to move fast because standing outside in Pattaya heat drains your soul. Let’s break down what actually works.
Cheapest Way: Songthaew (But You’ll Sweat)
Songthaews are those blue pickup trucks with benches. They cruise North Pattaya Road every 3 minutes. Wave one down. Climb in. Pay 10 baht when you jump off near your hotel. Simple.
Reality check: no AC means you’re baking. April through June? Forget it. Your shirt will stick to the bench. Luggage? A daypack works. Anything bigger and you’re blocking the aisle while locals glare.
Evening service gets sketchy after 10pm. Saw three songthaews pass me full last November at 10:30pm. Ended up taking a taxi. If you’re landing late, skip this option.
Best Value: Roong Reuang Bus (AC + Space)
This is what locals use when they’re tired of roasting. AC buses leave Terminal 2 every 30-60 minutes heading to South Pattaya and the city center. Ticket counter is inside the terminal building on the left.
Fare runs 131-163 baht depending on exact stop. You’ll get a printed ticket. Bus shows up on time 80% of the time. Seats are plastic but clean. Saw a German couple with two huge suitcases stash them under the bus no drama.
Traffic is the wildcard. Beach Road at 5pm? Add 15 minutes. Early morning or late night? You’ll cruise. Check current schedules on 12Go before you commit to a time slot.
Fastest Route: Metered Taxi (If You Negotiate)
Taxis wait outside the terminal entrance. You’ll spot the queue. Problem: meters are ‘always broken’. Driver will say 150 baht fixed price before you sit down.
Counter with 80 baht. They’ll grumble. You walk toward the next cab. They’ll call you back and agree to 100 baht. Done. Ride takes 10-15 minutes depending on which part of city center you’re hitting.
AC blasts cold. Trunk fits two medium bags or one giant backpack. Traffic on Pattaya Tai Road during dinner rush (6-8pm) can double your time. If you’re going to Jomtien instead, add 5 minutes and 20 baht.
Want a pre-booked ride with fixed pricing? Compare rates on Kiwitaxi. You’ll pay more but zero haggling.
Shared Minivan: Only If You’re Patient
Bell Travel runs shared vans from an office 200 meters north of Terminal 2. You’ll book a seat at the counter. Then you wait. Van leaves when 8 seats fill.
Could be 10 minutes. Could be 45 minutes while they hunt for passengers on the street. Once moving, driver stops at every beach resort between North Pattaya and city center. Your 15-minute ride becomes 30 minutes.
AC works. Legroom doesn’t. If you’re over 5’8″ your knees will kiss the seat in front. Luggage goes in back but if you’re last to board good luck fitting a suitcase.
Book Now: Direct Links + 2026 Fares
Prices jumped 10-15% since last year. Songthaews still hover around 10-20 baht. Roong Reuang bus went from 120 to 131 baht base fare. Taxis? Same hustle, slightly higher ‘broken meter’ quotes.
If you’re connecting to the airport later, check out North Pattaya to U-Tapao for timing tips. Most travelers grab the bus into city center, dump bags at the hotel, then figure out the next leg.
Booking buses online saves zero money but locks your time slot during peak season (Dec-Feb, Apr). Taxis and songthaews? Cash only. ATM is inside the terminal near the 7-Eleven.
10-15 min
