Best Ways to Get from U-Tapao Airport to Pattaya (Quick Overview)
You land at U-Tapao Airport, grab your bag, walk into Arrivals. Five transport desks and a dozen touts. Ignore the touts.
Private transfer costs 900-1,200 THB. Driver holds a sign with your name. Zero stress. Taxi desk charges 800-1,000 THB, always available, even at 3 AM. Grab runs 700-1,000 THB but drivers ghost you sometimes. Airport bus is 350 THB, leaves every few hours, drops at Big C. Shared van is 150-350 THB, cheapest option, but you wait until it’s full.
Distance is 45 km. Takes 45-70 minutes depending on traffic and route. Morning rush (07:00-09:00) and evening peak (17:00-19:00) add 20-30 minutes. Weekends are smoother.
Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable: Mode Comparison
| Mode | Time | Cost | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Transfer | 45-70 min | 900-1,200 THB | 9/10 |
| Airport Taxi | 45-70 min | 800-1,000 THB | 8/10 |
| Grab/Bolt | 45-70 min | 700-1,000 THB | 7/10 |
| Airport Bus | 60-90 min | 350 THB | 7/10 |
| Shared Van | 60-90 min | 150-350 THB | 6/10 |
Private transfer wins on reliability. Driver tracks your flight, waits if you’re delayed, no surprises. Airport taxi is second—always there, fixed fare at the desk. Grab is hit or miss. Bus schedule is thin. Shared van is cheap but unpredictable.
Fastest? All private options (taxi, Grab, transfer) take the same time. Bus and van add waiting time at the airport.
U-Tapao to Pattaya by Taxi, Grab & Private Car (Prices & How to Book)
Walk out of customs, turn right, you’ll see the official taxi desk. Big sign says ‘Airport Taxi Service’. Get a slip with your fare (800-1,000 THB fixed). Walk outside to the rank, hand the slip to the dispatcher, get in the next cab. Takes two minutes.
Freelance drivers hover near the exit. They quote 1,200-1,500 THB. Ignore them. Stick to the desk.
Grab pickup is outside Arrivals. Connect to airport WiFi (free, no password), open the app, set pin to ‘U-Tapao Passenger Pickup’. Price estimate pops up. Confirm. Driver usually arrives in 5-10 minutes. Sometimes they call asking where you are—just say ‘Arrivals door’. If three drivers cancel in a row, walk back to the taxi desk.
Private transfer is pre-booked. You land, driver is already waiting in Arrivals with your name on a sign (or iPad). No searching, no apps, no haggling. Compare prices on 12Go or Kiwitaxi. Enter flight number when booking so they track delays. Most operators offer sedan (2-3 passengers), MPV (4-6), or van (7-10). Sedan is 900-1,000 THB, van is 1,200 THB.
Shuttle, Bus & Minivan from U-Tapao Airport to Pattaya (Schedules, Stops, Luggage)
Airport bus counter is near the Arrivals exit, left side. Suvarnabhumi Burapha runs it. Ticket is 350 THB, pay cash or card. Schedule is roughly every 2-3 hours between 09:00 and 18:00. Exact times shift by season—check the board at the counter or look up current timetables on 12Go before you fly.
Bus boards outside, curbside. Luggage goes in the rear compartment. One big bag plus carry-on is fine. Saw them refuse a guy with three suitcases once—he had to take a taxi. Seats are standard coach style, AC works, legroom is okay. Ride takes 60-90 minutes. Drops at Big C South Pattaya. From there, grab a motorbike taxi (50 THB) or songthaew (10-20 THB) to your hotel.
Shared vans are everywhere in Arrivals. Staff hold signs: ‘150 THB Pattaya’, ‘Jomtien 200 THB’, ‘Naklua 250 THB’. You walk up, pay, they write down your hotel name, you sit in the van and wait. Van leaves when full (usually 10-12 passengers). I’ve waited 15 minutes, I’ve waited 50 minutes. Depends on flight arrivals.
Luggage space is tight. One big bag per person is the rule. If you have a surfboard or golf clubs, they might charge extra or tell you to take a taxi. AC is cold, seats are narrow, driver stops at each passenger’s hotel. If you’re the last drop, add 20 minutes.
Tips for Late-Night Arrivals, Families & First-Time Visitors
Land after 20:00? Airport bus stops running around 18:00. Shared vans thin out after 20:00. Your safe bets: airport taxi desk (24/7) or pre-booked private transfer. Grab works but fewer drivers are online late, so expect longer waits and surge pricing.
Traveling with kids? Private transfer is worth it. Car seats available if you request ahead. Taxi desk can arrange one but call the number on the slip first to confirm. Shared van with two kids and strollers is a nightmare—no space, no patience from other passengers.
First time at U-Tapao? Terminal is small. Customs, baggage claim, walk 50 meters, you’re in Arrivals. Transport desks are obvious. WiFi is free (network: ‘Airport Free WiFi’). ATMs are near the exit if you need cash for the van or bus. 7-Eleven is outside Arrivals if you want a SIM card or snacks before the ride.
Peak season (December-February) and holidays (Songkran, New Year) mean higher prices and longer waits for shared vans. Book a private transfer or taxi in advance. Off-peak (May-October) is smooth—vans leave faster, Grab prices are normal, bus is half empty.
If you’re connecting to other destinations, check out Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya for comparison or Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Pattaya if you’re routing through Bangkok.
60–90 min
