Public Transport System

Songtaew or Minibus, Local Bus, Motorbike Taxi, Taxi, Motorcycle Rental, Car Rental, Bicycle, Walking

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Cleanliness: - Medium; Efficiency: - Low

Mode & Cost of Transports

Songtaew or Minibus: -
"Songtaew" literally means two rows. It is a minibus which is sometimes called a Baht bus in English. Songtaew in Pattaya are small, dark blue pick-up trucks a canopy on the top. The service is available all around Pattaya. The routes of Songtaew's vary, so it is best to ask before boarding. To get off your Songtaew, simply press the buzzer when you reach your destination. Songtaew's keep picking up passengers along their routes. Usually, the fare is around 10 Baht for a short distance. Longer distances, for example from Jomtien to Naklua, costs around 20 Bahts. Songtaew's can also be chartered for private groups or single parties. The fare should be negotiated beforehand.

Local Bus: -
Pattaya City has recently started a bus service on 3 routes around the city, but they are not as frequent as Songtaew's. The bus service covers the main streets of Pattaya, Naklua, and Jomtien. The 3 routes are designated by 3 colors: green, red and yellow. The bus stops are also coded with colors and numbers for passengers to know where to board and disembark. All routes start from Big C supermarket. The one-trip fare is around 20 Baht. A brochure with the information on the routes and bus stops are available from the bus drivers and in most hotels and resorts.

• The green line route is Big C -- South Pattaya Road -- Pattaya 2nd Road -- Dolphin Roundabout -- Naklua Road -- Soi Potisan -- Sukhumvit Road ( then back to Big C).
• The yellow line route is Big C -- Sukhumvit Road --Thepprasit Road -- Thappraya Road over hill -- Pattaya 3rd Road -- North Pattaya Road -- Dolphin Roundabout -- North Pattaya Road -- Sukhumvit Road (then back to Big C).
• The red line route is Big C -- Sukhumvit Road -- Soi Chaiyapruek -- Jomtien Beach Road -- Dongtan Corner -- Thappraya Road over the hill -- Pattaya 2 Road  -- Dolphin Roundabout -- Naklua Road -- Banglamung Police Station -- Sukhumvit Road -- Kratinglai intersection (U-turn) -- Sukhumvit Road -- Soi Chaiyapruek (U-turn) -- (then back to Big C).

Motorbike Taxi: -
Motorbike taxi is possibly the quickest way to travel around the town, but can be less safer than other types of transport. They are less expensive than a Songtaew charter. Their stations are scattered around the city, but it is also possible to flag down one that passes by along the road. The motorbike taxi drivers can be identified by vest top uniforms with a number on the back, but colors can vary according to their based station. The fares vary according to the distance of the destination. Trips around inner parts of the town can cost around 30-40 Bahts.

Taxi: -
Pattaya itself does not have local taxi's, but there are occasionally some available to flag down. Car services and non-metered taxis are available on an on-call basis, which is more suitable for out-of-town destinations. These on-call taxi's can be arranged through most travel agencies, hotels and resorts. The price is more expensive than a Songthaew charter.

Motorcycle Rental: -
The motorcycle is a great way to get around. There are many motorbike rentals throughout the town. The rental expenses are around 150 - 200 Baht for short term rentals. Many motorcycles for rent are automatic gear, however manual-geared motorcycles are also available. Usually, a drivers license is not required, but tourists are asked to provide their passport as security. Some places accept a photocopy of a passport. Cash deposit is often required, but insurance is not included. Wearing a helmet is a must.

Car Rental: -
There are car rental companies around Pattaya. Prices start 600 Bahts per day for an older model car and are about 1,500 Bahts per day for a newer model car. Long term rental is a more reasonable choice. It is imortant to note that driving in Pattaya might not be an ideal holiday activity as the traffic in Pattaya can be very frustrating, especially during rush hour, weekends, or long weekend holidays.

Bicycle: -
The bicycle is a good way to discover Pattaya. It is healthy, environmentally-friendly and cheap. There are less bicycle rental services than those for motorcycles or cars. Most of bicycle rentals can be found at motorbike rental shops. Alternatively, you can buy a bike for your trip at malls or hypermarkets, but these bikes might not be in very good condition. Specialized bicycle shops have more options to choose from and are better quality . Bicycles are also available at some hotels and resorts, but are for guest use only.

Walking: -
Walking is a great way to explore the area, but it may be best to walk in the morning or evening as the heat in Thailand can be unbearable at midday. If one would like to walk along the street, they will have to pay extra attention to the path and the cars. There is a promenade along the Beach Road, which provides a good view of the sea. There are many vendors and shops on the other side of the promenade. Good walking shoes, loose clothes and a water bottle is recommended.

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