How to get from Pattaya to Utapao Airport?
There are a few options for Pattaya airport transport. Utapao airport is around 40 minutes drive from Pattaya. This makes Utapao the ideal airport to use for anyone visiting Pattaya or the east of Thailand. Until recently, very few airlines used the airport. However, the number of flights is increasing rapidly and the airport is being expanded to cope with the additional demand.
Likewise, new transport services are being added regularly. So, although I will try to keep this page up to date, some information may not be correct or there may be new or additional services running.
This information here is updated regularly. However bus companies change schedules often and so you should always check with a local tour agent about the best way to get to / from the airport.
The best choice for many passengers is the bus service run by Suvarnabhumi Burapha Bus Company. This has three departures a day from Pattaya to Utapao Airport.
Buses leave their office at CK Residence, South Pattaya Rd at 09:30, 12:00 & 15:00 . With return buses departing Utapao Airport at 12:30, 14:00 & 17:00. Ticket price is 200 Baht per person.
Transport to Pattaya Airport by bus.
Three bus routes linking U-tapao International Airport with three eastern provinces were introduced in May 2018 to serve passengers These bus routes run from the airport to Trat, Rayong and Chonburi. The routes are operated by private transport firms using air-conditioned buses with GPS tracking systems.
The service to Trat includes Chanthaburi on one of its stops, while the Chon Buri route also stops in Pattaya and Sri Racha town centre.
The buses being used are microbuses, seating a maximum of 19 passengers. Route 1 takes arriving passengers from U-Tapao to Trat and Koh Chang island, covering the distance of 220 km in just over three hours and making a stop at Chanthaburi bus station.
The second route, which is the shortest, goes through nearby Ban Chang to Rayong Bus Terminal covering 35 km in about half an hour.
The third route, which is 100 km long and will take around one and a half hours, goes to Chonburi bus station. This bus makes stops in nearby Sattahip, Pattaya and Si Racha.
Four buses will run each route daily.
Private taxi and Minibus services
AirAsia minibus. If you are flying on AirAsia, you can use their minibus service to get between Pattaya and Utapao. You’ll be given an all inclusive price, flight plus minibus, if you select Pattaya Central as either your starting point or destination, rather than the actual airport. The minibus picks up passengers from the side of Central Festival Mall in the city centre, or their hotel, if it is centrally located. ( You will have to contact the minibus company and arrange for a hotel pick up yourself ) Likewise, if you are flying into Pattaya Airport and want to head to central Pattaya, the minibus will drop you off outside the same mall.
This service is run for AirAsia by Kitittron Transport, based in Pattaya. Their contact numbers are: 081 578 2991 and 093 003 9909. Or get in touch via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Kittitron-Tranfer-Airasia-1922152754716366/
One thing to be aware of is that the minibus often waits until it is full before departing from Utapao. So your flight may land on time but then you can find yourself waiting for another flight before the minibus will leave. Therefore, we recommend taking one of the private companies that offer the same service and have minibuses that run to a fixed schedule.
Likewise if you are visiting Koh Samet and are flying on AirAsia, you can book a combined plane, bus and boat ticket on the AirAsia website. Just select ‘Samet Pier ( Na Dan )’ as your destination. Very convenient, but bear in mind the passenger boats only operate during daylight hours. If you’re arriving late afternoon or at night, you’ll have to stay on the mainland for the night.
Online-Pattaya.com operate both private taxis and shared minibuses. The shared minibus is 350 Baht / person. Pick up from your hotel. More details and online booking. Their timetable is below.
Suvarnabhumi Burupha Bus Company run minibuses between Pattaya and Utapao. Contact direct on tel: 082-926-8769 or via their website – http://swbbustour.com
Minibus schedule from Pattaya to Utapao
| Pick up time | Arrival time | Flight |
|---|---|---|
| 04:00 – 04:30 | 05:30 – 06:00 | FD442 (07:00), FD101 (06:25), SL1997 (07:40) |
| 07:00 – 07:30 | 08:30 – 09:00 | FD450 (10:00), FD303 (10:05), FD1100 (10:40) |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | 10:00 – 10:30 | SL1995 (11:35) |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | 12:30 – 13:00 | FD101 (14:25) |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | 13:00 -13:30 | AK841 (14:50) |
| 12:00 -12:30 | 13:30 – 14:00 | FD2001 (15:50) |
| 13:00 -13:30 | 14:30 – 15:00 | FD1104 (16:15) |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | 15:30 – 16:00 | PG294 (17:20), KY8364 (17:20), FD161 (17:35), FD490 (17:40) |
| 18:30 – 19:00 | 19:30 – 20:00 | SL1438 (21:05), FD103 (21:50), FD298 (22:10) |
PPK Travel ( Kungnang taxi ) run both shared minibuses and private taxis between Pattaya and the airport. A private taxi is 800 Baht one way. For larger groups a private minibus is from 1,200 Baht total. Tickets for the shared minibus are 300 Baht. For booking, see: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kungnangtravel
Crane Travel Service. Another company that also operates shared minibuses for 250 Baht, with a pick up at your hotel in central Pattaya. Bangkok Airways recommend them to their passengers. To book a seat, call on 081-377-2778.
Nam’s Taxi Service. This is a small private taxi service that uses only female drivers. So if you prefer a calmer driver or a single woman travelling alone, this may be an alternative. They are based in Pattaya and can arrange transfers by car, SUV or private minibus to Bangkok and locations in Eastern thailand. See: http://www.namstaxipattaya.com/
For visitors travelling further afield, the private services mentioned about can all arrange taxis to popular destinations such as Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Don Mueang Airport, Koh Chang or Hua Hin.
Utapao to Pattaya Airport by Airport Taxi
As you enter the arrival area at Utapao you will see counters for taxi services to hotels in Pattaya. There are three taxi counters just before the exit door at U-Tapao. The taxi price is fixed at 1,000 Baht. ( No haggling.) This is a very convenient way to get to the city centre. However there are a couple of cheaper options if you’re happy to share in a minibus, or take the time to pre-book a taxi from Pattaya to meet you. The same counters also sell tickets for the 250 Baht minibus services.
Pattaya Airport Transport online booking by smartphone
You can book a taxi, by phone or through the website or, more commonly nowadays, the Facebook page of a transport company.
A popular website that covers transport across Asia is 12go.asia. You can also use this site to book either a private car or minibus ( 1,000 – 1,500 Baht ) for your trip to or from the airport. Check prices: https://12go.asia/en/travel/pattaya/utapao-airport
Uber has left Thailand in May 2018 when it’s operations were sold to a rival company, Grab. Grab is a Singaporean based company that operates around the region. You can use it to order everything from a motorbike taxi, to public taxi, to private car or limousine. Simply download the Grab Taxi app onto your phone and away you go. Grab cars usually charge around 800 Baht for the trip to Pattaya.
Bangkok to Utapao by Train
The Thai government is also planning a 225 Billion Baht high-speed train line linking U-tapao with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The project got the green light to go ahead in May 2019. The train service was scheduled to begin operating in 2023 -24. However, as of late 2023, this has been delayed until 2028 – 29.
Ihave same problem. UTP seems be a bad idea. Rather fly to Bangkok and use bus for 160,-
RIP OFF
When I arrived at utapaeo airport there was no bus for 2 hours in to pattaya, the only way was to get ripped of by the taxi service, they have you trapped there!, it cost 1,000b into pattaya, it only costs 1,000b to go from pattaya to suvarnabhumi airport in a taxi. You are better off to flying to suvarnabhumi airport and get one of the regular busses to pattaya or any were else you want to go.
I spent 2-3 days trying to contact someone, anyone regarding the shuttle bus. The guy I a,ways used Somchai has stopped (or been squeezed out)
Airasia Website’s inactive, Facebook no replies, Tel Nos no longer in service Wtf!?!?! I even tried the Airasia ” Ava – live chat”. Five attempts the robot couldn’t understand my question. “Information shuttle bus service Pattaya-Utapao”….crazy!!
I ve used Airasia service between UTP and Udonthani for 3 years, never a problem until now.
It looks like it is intentional to leaves out with no other option that the Taxis mafia scammers.
There are very few flights now, so operators probably feel that it’s not worth running scheduled minibus services until the situation improves.
Search for Bus/Minibus/Transport from Pattaya to Utaphao Airport in 19.11.22
You can arrange a private transfer for around 700 – 800 Baht at any tour agent when you are in Pattaya. But at present there aren’t any shared minibus services that can be booked online in advance.
Hello,
unfortunately I already booked a flight to UTP (Bangkok would have been so much easier, I see).
I want to go to Ko Chang and have time though, not in a rusch. I see there are busses to Trat and also to Rayong (where you can take another bus to Trat).
Has anyone done that this year?
I thought about getting off before Trat and take Grab to Ferry? Do any of these public busses run at all (even if only 4 times a day) and WHERE do they leave at UTP?
Hope someone has answers.. been researching all night..
May be too late for you, but I’ve just arrived to this airport today. You walk out of the arrivals, turn left and there’ll be some vendors selling the mini bus or taxis.
1000 Baht for taxi, 250 for shared minibus (10 ppl). The minibus is on a schedule, for me was 20minute wait. Then you tell the driver your hotel and off you go.
I’m on the minibus as we speak, hopefully I arrive to my desired hotel haha
Thank you for providing rare information that the minibus from UTP airport is available. Please let us know the company name of the minibus service if you remember.