Pattaya is located in the eastern part of central Thailand in the province of Chon Buri. The city stretches along the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 130 km from the capital Bangkok. The coastline of the city is 15 km. Pattaya is a seaside resort of international renown, and is the only Thai city to enjoy special administrative status alongside the capital, Bangkok. Pattaya is particularly notorious for its extravagant nightlife with countless bars.

In Pattaya and Jomtien there are almost limitless accommodations. Most hotels are located along the beach road and the streets behind. From basic accommodation to luxury hotels, everything is offered to guests.

Pattaya has no "international" airport. U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya Airport serves the internationally renowned seaside resort of Pattaya from Koh Samui and Phuket. In addition to civil aviation, he also serves as a military airfield of the Thai Navy. The airport is located in Rayong province (eastern Thailand), about 40 km away from Pattaya. Arrivals from Germany take place via Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

Arrival from Bangkok:

• Arriving from Bangkok by plane is not possible.
• Pattaya is only about 150 km from Bangkok. A drive by car takes about 1.5 - 2 hours. From Bangkok there are two main routes to Pattaya
• Arriving from Bangkok by land is very easy as Pattaya is only about 150 km away. There are several buses with the destination Pattaya or Jomtien. Ticket counters are located at Gate 8 in Level 1 at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
  

1. By AirportPattayaBus No. 389 takes you from the airport to Pattaya North and South (last stop is Thappraya road). Travel times: Departure Bangkok-Pattaya: every hour between 7.00 am and 10.00 pm / Return Pattaya-Bangkok: every hour between 7.00 am and 9.00 pm. Fare one way per person 120 THB, travel time 1.5 - 2 hours
2. The Bell Travel Service offers a so-called door-to-door service: the bus drives through Pattaya and lets the passengers get off at the desired hotel. The fare is according to the website currently 240 THB, the journey is also about 1.5 - 2 hours. Departure times at Suvarnabhumi Airport every two hours: 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00. For the trips at 16.00 and 18.00 clock can not be stopped near the Walking Street (because of road closure from 17.00 clock)

• Pattaya is connected to Thailand's rail network. The train connection is the cheapest and most comfortable way to get to Pattaya. The fare in the non-air-conditioned 3rd class costs 35 baht and takes about 3.5 hours. The train starts at Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok.

• Travel times: Departure Bangkok-Pattaya: 6:50 am / Return Pattaya-Bangkok: 14:20 pm. With the so-called baht buses you can drive from Pattaya Station to Beach Road for about 30 THB.

• You can also rent a car at the airport in Bangkok. Here are the usual lenders to choose from (AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way to book the car already in Germany.
• Highway No. 7 (Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway) leaves from the outer ring (Highway No. 9) in Bangkok. Further junctions are Si Nakharin and Rama IX.
• The Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat Highway) leads from Bang Na to Bang Phli, crosses the Bang Pakok River and leads to Chonburi, where it meets Highway No. 3 (Sukhumvit Road), then on via Bang Saen Beach and Bang Pra to Pattaya.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus we continue to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani (Koh Samu & Koh Phangan) or to Chumphon (Koh Tao). From the pier, take the bus or minibus to Pattaya. From Surat Thani it is also possible to travel by train.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with the VIP bus up to the "bus station" in Pattaya. From Hua Hin to Pattaya, there was a ferry service until 2011. At the moment this is closed. From 2017, however, a new high-speed ferry will resume this connection. The simple fare should then cost from 1,600 THB. The journey will take about 3 hours.

Transfer to hotel in Pattaya and transportation within the city:
Within Pattaya, there are numerous ways to get around.

1.     The cheap baht buses go to several destinations
2.     With the motorcycle taxi, taximeter or TukTuk you can get directly to the hotel or a place of interest
3.     You can also rent a car or a scooter

Since the end of 2022, a long-distance ferry has been operating between Sattahip (Chuksamed Pier) (Sattahip is about 30 km from Pattaya) to Koh Samui. The duration of the trip is approximately 12 hours.

In addition to overnight accommodation, the ferry also offers a restaurant, a wellness and massage service and various entertainment options (including a bar and disco).

Tickets can be booked via Line / Facebook.

Standard ticket per person and route from 2,500 THB (plus additional costs for vehicles [motorcycles from 400 cc and more 1,500 THB, vehicles up to 5.5 meters 2,000 THB.]

From March 2023, Seahorse will operate the Sattahip - Koh Samui route once a week (Thursdays from 5 p.m.)

The Koh Samui - Sattahip route is also served once a week, always on Sundays from 4 p.m

For more information, visit The Seahorse Ferry on Facebook.

Walking Street: Pattaya's top attraction is of course the Walking Street. While you can drive by car in the corresponding streets during the day, the streets are closed to traffic here as night falls. During the day it is a normal neighborhood with some shopping and restaurants. In the evening, the district turns into a very lively place with many nightclubs and go-go bars. Walking Street is very popular with tourists and it operates year-round.

Beach Road: Also popular with tourists is Pattaya Beach Road. In addition to some large shopping centers are also smaller shops and shops with the typical tourist items and souvenirs. Along the road there are also many hotels, restaurants and bars.

Shopping & Markets:
Thepprasit Road Night Market (Fridays, Sundays and Sundays from 17.00): large night market with food, clothing, souvenirs

Pattaya Night Bazar (open daily from morning to late at night): fully covered market with many shops, clothes, souvenirs etc. Good for rain, in the midday heat it gets very warm under the roof. The market is opposite the Central Festival Shopping Center
Soi Daen Mu (daily from 16.00 clock) small market with food, textiles and other articles
Soi Buakhao Market (Daytime, Tuesdays and Fridays) with various foods (Thai food, fruits, vegetables), textiles, domestic animals and livestock and plants. The market is mainly visited by locals and residents.

Pattaya Floating Market: On an artificially created, approximately 100,000 m² area, is Pattaya Floating Market. built entirely on the water here are many small wooden houses, which are connected by bridges. You can either go on foot or by boat and visit the many small boutiques, souvenir shops and restaurants. The terrain is very nice. The entrance fee is about 300 Baht. Open daily between 9am and 7pm.

Big Buddha: Near the Walking Street is Big Buddha Hill. The Big Buddha is considered one of the landmarks of the city. The statue is located on a hill and you can climb up the teppen to a viewing platform. Here you have a great view over the city, which is really magical especially in the evening and at night.

Pattaya Tower: South of the Buddha Hill is the 240-meter-high Pattaya Tower. Here you have a viewing platform and restaurants on the 52nd, 53rd and 54th floor. On the Observation Deck on the 55th floor are various rides (Sky Shuttle, Speed Shuttle and Tower Jump). Admission (including drinks and rides) costs 300 THB.

Sanctuary of Truth: In Naklua is the large wooden temple Sanctuary of Truth (translated: sanctuary of truth). Since 1982, various buildings have been erected there: as soon as a part has been completed, a new construction phase is opened. The area is growing steadily and has meanwhile grown to around 120,000 m². The entrance fee is 500 THB.

Pattaya Beach is the city center where life is always alive. Directly behind the beach runs the busy Beach Road. Several speedboats and jet skis are on the beach itself. In the evening, however, the beach is a popular place to watch the sunsets. The street turns into a promenade, until at night ladyboys and prostitutes meet here.

Bali Hai Pier Beach is a smaller stretch of beach near Walking Street. The beach is also very lively, but there are no sun loungers here.

Jomtien Beach is the smaller neighboring beach to Pattaya Beach. Here it is a little quieter than in Pattaya. The beach is still the meeting place. From JetSki, to surfing, to boat trips, a lot is on offer here.

Naklua Beach (Wong Amat Beach). On this beach have settled some luxury hotels and excellent seafood restaurants. The beach is a bit quieter during the day than the other beaches and in the evening can be very beautiful watch the sunset.