Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal (2026)
You’re at Bangkok’s cleanest bus terminal. Ekkamai handles all eastern routes (Pattaya, Rayong, Koh Chang). It’s small, organized, and 5 minutes from BTS Ekkamai. No maze here.
Platforms are clearly labeled in English. Digital boards show real-time departures. Only 10 ticket counters, so weekends get crowded. Arrive 30 minutes early if you haven’t booked online.
Layout & Navigation
Single-level terminal. Walk in, ticket counters are straight ahead. Platforms 1-12 fan out behind them, grouped by destination (Pattaya left, Trat/Chanthaburi right). Thai and English signs everywhere.
Digital departure boards update every 5 minutes. No confusing zones. Toilets and 7-Eleven are at the back. Total walking time from entrance to furthest platform: 3 minutes.
Essential Facilities
ATMs line the entrance wall. Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, SCB, Krung Thai. All charge 220 THB for foreign cards. 7-Eleven has a better exchange rate than the currency booth (which closes at 6pm anyway).
Toilets cost 3-5 THB. Bring coins. They’re clean but no soap. Luggage storage is at the back, 6am-6pm only. Price depends on bag size (50-100 THB/day). No lockers, just a counter with tags.
No SIM card kiosks. Buy one at 7-Eleven (AIS tourist SIM, 299 THB for 15 days). Food stalls sell pad thai (40 THB), fried rice (50 THB), mango sticky rice (60 THB). Coffee shop charges 80 THB for iced latte. Vending machines have water (15 THB).
Getting to the City
BTS Ekkamai is 300 meters away. Exit terminal, turn right, walk 2 minutes. Sukhumvit Road is right there. If you’re heading to Khao San Road, take BTS to Siam, then taxi (120 THB).
Taxis wait outside. Meter starts at 35 THB. To Sukhumvit hotels: 60-80 THB. To Suvarnabhumi Airport: 250-300 THB plus 50 THB tolls (50 minutes). Drivers here use meters without arguing. Rare for Bangkok.
Grab works perfectly. Pin your location as ‘Ekkamai Bus Terminal’. Cheaper than taxis during rush hour. If you need a private transfer with luggage space, book via Kiwitaxi before you land.
Local buses (2, 23, 38, 48) stop on Sukhumvit. They’re 15 THB but packed during 8-9am and 5-7pm. Only take them if you have no luggage. For trips to Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi, you’ll need Mo Chit terminal instead.
Survival Tips
Free Wi-Fi works in the waiting area. Password is on signs near ticket counters. Speed is decent for checking maps. No VPN needed.
Seating: 50 plastic chairs with fans. 20 seats in AC section near platform 6. Weekends fill up fast. If your bus is delayed, sit at the coffee shop (they don’t kick you out).
Terminal isn’t 24-hour. Last buses leave around 11pm. Luggage storage closes at 6pm. If you arrive late, store bags at BTS Ekkamai 7-Eleven (ask staff, they sometimes help).
Wheelchair ramps connect all platforms. Elevators work. Staff speak basic English. No prayer room, but toilets have squat and Western options.
Where to go next
Most travelers head to these spots:
Schedules change seasonally. Check current availability online.
Weekend buses to Pattaya and Rayong sell out by Friday. Book on 12Go to skip the ticket counter queue. You can print at 7-Eleven or show your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get from Ekkamai Bus Terminal to BTS?
Exit terminal, turn right, walk 300 meters (2 minutes). BTS Ekkamai entrance is on Sukhumvit Road. Clearly signed.
Is there luggage storage at Ekkamai terminal?
Yes. Counter at the back, 6am-6pm only. 50-100 THB per day depending on bag size. No overnight storage.
What buses go from Ekkamai to Pattaya?
Buses leave every 30-60 minutes, 6am-9pm. Takes 2 hours, costs 120-150 THB. Platforms 1-4. Book online to guarantee a seat.
Ekkamai bus terminal opening hours?
Terminal operates 5am-11pm (aligns with bus schedules). Luggage storage closes at 6pm. No 24-hour facilities.
Taxi fare from Ekkamai to Sukhumvit?
60-80 THB by meter (5-10 minutes depending on traffic). Drivers here actually use meters. Grab is 50-70 THB.
