Utapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport Guide

Utapao Rayong-Pattaya Airport Guide

Pattaya Airport is Thailand is one of the world’s newest with the most advanced international airports. This is in terms of the way it has been developed. With easy access and modern facilities provided for passengers. Pattaya Airport, is also referred as Utapao International Airport. It’s IATA code is UTP. The airport has certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meaning it meets all international set standards.

2023 Update: The airport is open. However there are very few flights at present. This in turn means that there are few facilities, in terms of shops, minimarts, coffeeshops and restaurants for passengers. This should change later in 2023 as the situation improves and normality returns with more flights will being operating.

Background information

Pattaya airport is a well developed airport that serves both the public and the civil military. It serves as the airfield for the Utapao Royal Third Navy. The airport was developed to meet the international levels as a result of increased demand for flights in the country.

The two international airports in Bangkok were stressed beyond their capacity, making the government take the step to make Utapao airport another international destination for airlines.

Until recently, the airport was not well known or developed and only accommodated some charter , not scheduled, flights. In 2015 only 170,000 passengers used Utapao Airport. However in 2016 that leaped to 710,000 and in 2017, the figure was 1,200,000. Making it one of the fastest growing airports in the world. Terminal 2 opened in early 2019 and is now fully operational.

It had small number of both local and international flights but, mainly due to AirAsia expanding their flights and an increase in Chinese airlines that number is ever growing. Terminal 2 is the latest phase in the expansion and upgrading of Utapao Airport. This addition means it has the capacity to handle up to 3,000,000 passengers annually.

In the coming years additional terminal and also construction of a second runway are under discussion with the Royal Thai Navy, who own the site, the civil airline authorities and Thai government. The second runway will be 3,500m long and capable of handling Airbus A380 flights.

The U-tapao expansion project is expected to enable Utapao / Pattaya airport to handle 15 million passengers within the next five years, 30 million in the next 15 years and 60 million in the next 20 years. it is an ambitious plan that also ties in with the Thai government’s plan to develop and bring hi-tech industries to the east of Thailand. The News section of this site includes more information on expansion plans for the airport. In June 2020 it was announced that a consortium led by Bangkok Airways won the tender to expand the airport. The first phase will be completed in 2024.

In January 2023 the government officially launched the Utapao Aviation City project, projected to cost US$9 Billion.

Pattaya Airport Arrival and Departure Information

Location

Pattaya airport is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about one hundred and forty kilometers South East of Bangkok. Aside from Suvarnabhumi and Don Meuang, it is the closest international airport to Bangkok.

Driving from Pattaya to the airport takes between forty five to fifty minutes. Pattaya is a major tourist attraction in Thailand, so the airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists and other international flights.

The other fact that makes the airport popular is that the other two major international airports in Bangkok are overpopulated, making it a great choice for many. Its strategic location also allows it serve the wider Eastern Seaboard and Rayong City in an effective manner.

Pattaya Airport layout and facilities

Utapao Airport has two terminal buildings that serve both international and local flights. The original terminal, Terminal 1 has an area is 3,000Sqm and can accommodate 400 passengers at a time. As this wasn’t large enough to cope with increased demand, especially from companies like AirAsia, a second terminal opened in late 2017.

Terminal 2 has an area of 20,000Sqm and can easily cope with 1,200 passengers at a time. This upgrade means that Utapao Airport has a capacity of around 3 Million passengers per year. And this is also planning on being expanded in the coming years, along with the addition of a second runway.

The current 3,505 meter long runway can handle the world’s largest passenger plane – the Airbus A380. On the apron there are stands for a total of 49 planes.

Transportation between Utapao and Pattaya, Bangkok & elsewhere

The airport has several ground transportation options. This means that it is easy to travel from and to the airport. You can decide to hire private taxis or rent cars that are readily available outside the airport terminal.

In addition, there are also many hotel shuttles that offer transport services. These shuttles transport passengers directly to their hotels.

There is a bus/taxi service desk located near the end of the terminal that helps plan transportation to your destination. Whether this is your first time to visit, you can rest be assured that you find things easy as you move to and from the airport.

Terminal Shops and Restaurants

Despite that the terminal is not as big as other two airports in Bangkok; it has several facilities that make the passengers feel more comfortable. In July 2019, Central DFS inked a deal to operate various retails outlets and restaurants in the terminal buildings.

The retail and service outlets include Auntie Anne’s, KFC, Segafredo, Mr. Cup T, Amazon, Coffee World, New York Deli, and Drinks & Quick Bites. The Eatery Gardens offers freshly cooked dishes with open-kitchen style restaurants, in a relaxing atmosphere.

Shops include the Central DFS Shop with Thai souvenirs, fashion, cosmetics and travelling products, catering to tourist tastes. The Thai Favourites chain offers renowned Thai food products and snacks, alongside B2S stationery, Boots pharmacy and souvenir shops. There are also currency exchange counters and a mobile phone SIM shop, for the convenience of tourists and customers at the airport.

Parking facilities

The car park is also spacious enough to accommodate a lot of cars. The airport has parking facilities for both short term and long term. To maximize security, the parking offer regular patrols that ensure all the cars parked are secure. There are three car parks at U-Tapao Pattaya Airport. You will receive a first 10 minute grace period.

Short term parking is 20 Baht per hour for a maximum of 6 hours. Longer than 7 hours is charged at 140 Baht per day. Covered parking bays are available. It is only a two minute walk form the car park to the terminal building.

Motorbike parking is 10 Baht per hour to a maximum of 5 hours. Over 5 hours is 50 Baht for the day (24 hours)

Coffee shop and restaurant

There is a coffee shop where you can enjoy your favorite coffee cup as you relax after arrival or before you depart from the airport. All your meal needs are also well catered for. There is a restaurant that serves food from different cultures. Here you can enjoy your favorites dishes or drinks at a favorable price.

Internet café’

In case you want to gather more information about Thailand or any other information, there is an internet café where you can search for all details you need.

How to get to Utapao – Pattaya airport

Getting to the airport is easy as a result of the many transport services available. Regardless of the city you are from, you can get a transport service that will help you reach there at the right time. If you want to get to the airport from Pattaya city you can opt to travel with a minibus located in Central Festival.

If you are from Bangkok, you can opt for air conditioned buses stationed at the Eastern Bus Terminal. There are also vans, private taxis, mini cabs and vans that offer transport to the airport from other towns. More on the transport options here.

Airlines serving the airport

With the expansion and upgrading of Pattaya airport, there are several airlines available. These airlines fly to different destinations locally and internationally. Some of the major local destinations include Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Udon Thani and Koh Samui. Popular international destinations include Macau, Shanghai, Nanning and Nanchang in China and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. In the recent times, the airport has airlines that fly to other major cities in the world.

Some of the major airlines and destinations include:

• Air Asia to Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket and Udonthani. Plus Macao, Nanning, Nanchang and Kuala Lumpur
• Bangkok Airways to Phuket and Koh Samui
• Hainan Airways to Haikou and Sanya
• Donghai Airlines to Shenzhen
• Qatar Airways to Doha
• Thai Lion Air to Chiang Mai
• Nok Air to Changsha, Nanchang and other Chinese cities.

Things to note

The presence of the Royal Thai Navy Air Station makes Pattaya Airport a bit sensitive. So, you should never feel worried when you find a lot of military personnel around. It is also worth noting that you are not supposed to take photos out of the aircraft window during landing or taking off.

To get the best services when departing or arriving at the airport, make sure that you have all your travel and personal documents. This does not only ensure that you go through the entire process fast, but also help enhance the operations at the airport.

Make sure you carry only the permitted items to avoid falling into problems with the authorities at the airport.