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.
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. Departing Pattaya at 08:00 and 12:00 and departing Utapao Airport at 10:00 and 16:30. 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 is scheduled to begin operating in 2023 -24.
Phoned the Kitittron/Air Asia minibus service this morning (19 Nov 2018) to enquire about the service from Pattaya to Utapao for the Air Asia flight to Udon, I was told that the service is not running because the minibus had an accident.
Thanks for the heads up. I’m sure they’ll get it running again soon.
Hi, Feedback on Crane co for ride to Utapao by minivan:
Called 081 377 2778 and told to call 081 874 5478.
Wanted to reserve for December 4. Today Nov 28. Told that they would call me back Dec 3 to see if possible
Not that satisfactory so will try others
In the Booking by Smartphone section it states that you can use Grab to get to Pattaya for about 800 Baht.
I use Grab all the time, so when I arrived I tried to book one. First 3 attempts i got the “all out driver are busy” message. Eventually I got a driver. But I wasn’t sure where he was. He told me by the message service on the Grab app that he was at the car park. Problem is it is quite large and busy car park and every car seems to be white. So it was like a needle in a haystack. Eventually he said he would walk to me (only across the road from the car park to the terminal exit). I saw him and walked towards him.
We were intercepted by an airport “official” who said Grab was illegal there and I had to cancel the booking. The driver was almost in tears as he has probably lost his best fare of the day!! I was fuming,
Just called and they said the same thing . Been 6 months since this post . Strange
Best way to get to Pattaya from Utapao Airport. Flying on Air Asia from Udon Thani April 29th.
You can buy minibus tickets in the arrival hall when you land.
Phoned the Kitittron/Air Asia minibus service this morning (19 June 2019) to enquire about the service from Pattaya to Utapao for the Air Asia flight to Udon, I was told that the service is not running because the minibus had an accident. I read the other posts as well in this thread and I see that they are saying this since Nov 2018! Basically they don’t want to take then
Today we faced the same situation with Grab.
Airport security denied the entrance for Grab driver!
I think everybody there is working together.
The military have it all stitched up. If they control all the transport – no competition allowed.
This cartel could not happen in most countries, but it means normal transport services are not available – so people arriving and expecting to get transport by bus or taxi are left stranded. It’s a disgrace to Thailand.
Good luck to intending passengers.
tjee…why do so difficult with UTP?
just do the new Bangkok airport (BKK) then you are within 1.5- 2 hours in pattaya
taxi 1200Baht, Direct Bus 200 Baht(not at nite). Direct Metro to Bangkok centre 60Baht (20 minutes, each 10 minutes but not at nite)
just stay far away from air asia cause they fligh to the old bangkok airport (DMH) on the wrong side of bangkok..
So my advice is so ignore UTP
Is it possible to get a taxi or local bus to outside the airport and then get a Grab from there?
I doubt there are many Grab drivers in that area. But you could try.