New Airport Bus Service

[whitedesire]

According to BOLT prices, it should cost around 500 baht, give or take about 100 baht. If not using BOLT, expect to pay more.

My god, a lot more, I've paid up to 1600, Bolt it is.

[Jun]

We know you can get decent quality taxis to and from Suvarnabhumi for about 1200.
Utapao is much closer, so should be less.
I've seen them advertised for 8~900.

The last time I arrived at UTP, I walked out of the door, got the last seat on a mini van and it departed immediately. 50 baht, if I remember correctly.

As for Suvarnabhumi, well my flight was due to arrive at 15:30. I considered booking bus tickets for 17:00. And 18:00, in case of delays. I actually booked a taxi for 1100 baht. Just as well, since the plane arrived at 14:55 and baggage handling was far quicker than usual, so I was walking out of the airport at 15:35.

For arrivals, I'd really want a bus service with frequent departures AND spare capacity. It's no use when buses might be booked up for the next 2~3 hours.

[Gaybutton]

It's no use when buses might be booked up for the next 2~3 hours.

When more than one plane arrives at just about the same time, that does happen with that bus from the airport to the Jomtien bus station. And don't forget about domestic flights too.

I've had it happen to me. Fortunately I was able to get a ticket for the next bus, so I waited rather than take a taxi. It wasn't really a long wait and I was too much of a cheapskate to take a taxi . . .

[Jun]

Fortunately I was able to get a ticket for the next bus, so I waited rather than take a taxi. It wasn't really a long wait and I was too much of a cheapskate to take a taxi . . .

I also have a strong preference for the bus. However, I've heard of people arriving and having to wait 3 hours for a bus. So after a long haul flight, I took the taxi. Had I been arriving after a short flight, I'd take the bus.

[whitedesire]

If bolt are advertising for less than 400 bht then that's good enough for me, even their large vehicle was just over 600, that's still better than the rip off rates I've been charged.

[Jun]

Bolt prices right now. I believe their pricing is dynamic. Also, there is no guarantee the drivers want the job. I was once out sightseeing near Sattahip with another board member. We went by train and tried to get a bolt back. The driver didn't want to go all the way to Pattaya. When I have used bolt for shorter trips, there has been no such problem.

[Jun]

Well, I'm checking the Pattaya to DMK bus service.

On the English Site:
Pattaya appears 3 times in the drop down menu, implying there are 3 stops. No other description.
In Thai language, two of the 3 stops are named Pattaya Klang. I must look out for bus stops, next time I'm there. The other, is พัทยาจุดจอด. Apparently the second word means "parking spot" (with the help of Chat GPT).
Fortunately, google maps finds the location, on Sukhumvit. Complete with enough pictures to confirm it is likely they run an airport bus.

Departures are 7:30, 10:00, 14:30 and 17:00.
There is no estimate of arrival time. Perhaps they think that is unimportant for people travelling to an airport ? Fortunately, google customer reviews suggest about 3 hours.

Times (via google maps)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GHTZzhqBqrsdQLH86

Pattaya Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HibcgsWu5exERsyZ6

Perhaps I'll look for a flight from BKK instead.

[christianpfc]

I would think that end of line are Don Mueang Airport and "Transport Company Limited บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด 999 (จุดจอดและจำหน่ายตั๋ว พัทยา - ท่าอากาศยานดอนเมือง - ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ)" (name on google maps). That means if you stay south of their bus station and parking, which is between Central Pattaya and North Pattaya, you have to make your way there first.

From Jomtien to DMK, one could use the airport bus 389 to BKK and a free shuttle between BKK and DMK (with airline ticket for the day).

[Jun]

It seems there are flights from UTP to Udon Thani, so that looks like a far better solution.

[Oliver]

Does anyone know how much i should be paying for a taxi from Utapao to Pattaya, I always seem to get ripped off?

According to BOLT prices, it should cost around 500 baht, give or take about 100 baht. If not using BOLT, expect to pay more.

500 Baht from Utapao Airport to Central Pattaya via Bolt sounds very reasonable.
Any idea what the fare is by Grabcar?
I don't mind waiting for a shared van but I've been refused before before because they couldn't accommodate my 28" suitcase. This was at another airport in Thailand.