A Day in the Entertainment Paradise of Pattaya
Located about 103 miles (165 km) southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya—Thailand’s entertainment paradise—was the destination I debated the most about visiting on this trip. Part of me wanted to spend my Friday in Bangkok visiting a few more temples and enjoying one last evening in the city with my friend. The other part? Honestly, I was just feeling lazy because of the unpredictable rainy season. What if I made the trip all the way there and it rained the whole day?
That morning, true to Bangkok’s rainy season style, it poured heavily. But strangely, the rain started tapering off slowly, and by 10 AM, the sun was peeking out. So I made the bold decision to drag my lazy ass out of bed and ask for directions to the bus terminal for my spontaneous day trip to Pattaya.
How to Get to Pattaya from Bangkok
The best way is from Ekamai Bus Terminal.
Google Maps said it would take me around 40 minutes to walk there from my place. In reality? It was closer to an hour. I asked a nearby motorbike taxi for the fare—he quoted 70 THB (approx. $1.90 USD), so I decided to walk instead. The Ekamai Bus Terminal is right next to the BTS Ekamai Station, so you can easily get there by skytrain and walk a short distance to the terminal. From there, it’s easy to catch a bus to Pattaya or even to Koh Larn Island.
There are two types of buses: a minivan (130 THB ≈ $3.50) or a larger bus (124 THB ≈ $3.35). Minivans usually leave about 20 minutes earlier than the larger buses, and both are non-stop and take around 2 hours. I took the 130 THB minivan that departed at 11:50 AM.
Traveling to Pattaya Directly from Bangkok Airports
If you’re arriving in Bangkok and want to go straight to Pattaya without stopping in the city, you can catch direct shuttle services from both Don Mueang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK) airports. Just like the airport shuttles in Vietnam that go straight from Tan Son Nhat to Vung Tau, Bangkok offers similar services.
For reliability, I recommend booking your shuttle in advance via Traveloka, which features vetted transport providers. It’s a stress-free way to reach Pattaya right after a tiring flight.
If you’re also looking for good flight deals to Thailand, you can check Traveloka here.
Getting from Pattaya Bus Terminal to Walking Street
From the Pattaya Bus Terminal, you can take a shared 8-seater van to the city center for around 50 THB (≈ $1.35 USD). This rate only applies if you’re heading into the city with others—prices may be higher when traveling out from the center back to the terminal. The heart of Pattaya’s nightlife is Walking Street.
The van can drop you off at your hotel if you’ve pre-booked one, or directly at Walking Street. I didn’t plan to stay overnight, so I went straight to the street. If you’re planning a same-day return, make sure to catch the last bus back to Bangkok at 11 PM.
How Long Should You Spend in Pattaya?
One day and one night is usually enough. Pattaya isn’t that big—it’s more like palm-of-your-hand sized. If you’re into all-night parties and bar hopping, consider booking a room and staying overnight. For casual, low-budget travelers like me, a day trip is just right.
Where to Go in Pattaya?
Morning: Koh Larn Island
A top choice for the morning is Koh Larn Island. Here’s what you need to know:
- Speedboat departure times: 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
- Return times: 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM
- Round-trip fare: 150 THB (≈ $4.10 USD)
Koh Larn is ideal for beach lovers and those who enjoy snorkeling. Unfortunately, I arrived in Pattaya at 3 PM, too late to make it to the island. I wasn’t too disappointed, though—I’ve seen plenty of coral reefs back in Vietnam, and swimming has never been a huge thing for me.
What I love about Koh Larn is how peaceful it is. Most visitors are tourists, so you won’t get that judgmental vibe that sometimes happens in crowded local beaches.
Afternoon: Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai)
From Walking Street, it takes about 30 minutes on foot to get to Big Buddha Hill. Don’t let the motorbike drivers trick you into thinking it’s a two-hour journey—it’s not. In a city famed for its nightlife, always stay sharp.
Big Buddha Hill, or Wat Phra Yai in Thai, features a massive golden Buddha known as Luang Phor Yhai. The statue is nearly 328 feet (100 meters) tall, perched on a high hill, making it visible from far away. As you approach, the statue looks more and more towering. On either side of the stairway are two seven-headed dragons whose bodies stretch down to the base. Around the big Buddha are seven smaller statues, representing each day of the week. Many locals and tourists come here daily to offer prayers and wish for good fortune.
Evening: Massage & Nightlife
After your temple visit, you’ll still have time to enjoy a massage—and trust me, Pattaya offers great value. Prices here can even be cheaper than in Bangkok. Fish massage costs around 50 THB (≈ $1.35 USD) for 20 minutes during the day and increases to 70 THB (≈ $1.90 USD) in the evening. Thai massage is about 200 THB/hour (≈ $5.40 USD), and you might find deals at 180 THB/hour if you look around. These services are available throughout the Walking Street area.
Night: Walking Street Comes Alive
When the sun goes down, Pattaya transforms into a neon-lit playground. Walking Street bursts to life with music, bars, street performers, Muay Thai exhibitions, and dancers dressed as Japanese dolls, nurses, or flight attendants luring visitors into their clubs.
With beers priced from 65–75 THB (≈ $1.75–$2.00 USD), you can enter just about any bar and enjoy pole dancing and wild performances. Prostitution is legal and open here, and guests are free to approach any girl they like.
The infamous Sexy Shows are also a major attraction. During low season, you might get access to full packages for around 1000 THB (≈ $27 USD) or even less if you bargain.
I left one of the bars at 10:50 PM and finally returned to Bangkok at 2 AM after walking home from the bus terminal. The next day, I had a full day to rest before heading to the airport at 5 PM, wrapping up my first journey in Bangkok.