Pattaya Airport / Taxi

Fixed faresGulf coast

Taxi Pattaya Airport

Airport minibuses, metered taxis and private transfers from Pattaya Airport (U-Tapao, UTP) to Pattaya, Jomtien, Rayong and the Ban Phe pier. There is no rail link, so knowing the fares in baht, and weighing up a rental car, pays off.

Cheaper than repeat taxis: single U-Tapao fares to Pattaya, Jomtien and Rayong add up if you move around. A no-deposit rental car from ฿800 a day often costs less than two return transfers, and goes wherever you want.
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Three ways

Minibus, taxi or private transfer

Airport minibus and metered taxi

A shared airport minibus or limousine van to Pattaya costs about ฿250 per person and leaves when full, taking 45 to 60 minutes. A private van for a group runs about ฿500. Metered taxis to Pattaya are roughly ฿600 to ฿800, though drivers often quote a fixed ฿1,000. You pay cash and no booking is needed.

Private transfer

A private transfer is booked online in advance at a fixed price. The driver meets you at arrivals with a sign and takes you straight to your hotel in Pattaya, Jomtien or Rayong. It is the most predictable choice for families, late arrivals and the longer runs to Jomtien or the Ban Phe ferry pier.

Arrivals area at U-Tapao Pattaya airport with transfer meeting point
Shared minibuses, metered taxis and transfer drivers wait at arrivals.
Fares

Taxi and transfer fares by destination

Indicative fares from Pattaya Airport in baht. The taxi column is the metered or quoted road fare per car; the transfer column is the pre-booked private price. Both can rise at night and in high season.

DestinationDistanceTaxiTransfer from
Ban Chang8 km฿300-400฿600
Sattahip15 km฿400-600฿700
Rayong city32 km฿1,000฿1,100
Ban Phe (Koh Samet pier)35 km฿300-800฿700
Pattaya40 km฿600-800฿1,300
Jomtien40 km฿1,000-1,600฿1,800
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi120 km฿1,800-2,500฿2,000

Taxi, transfer or a rental car?

For a single trip to your hotel, the airport minibus, a metered taxi or a pre-booked transfer is simplest. But the Gulf coast is spread out, from Pattaya and Jomtien to Rayong and the Koh Samet pier, and there is no cheap network of street taxis to flag down. If you plan to move around, the maths quickly favours a car.

A no-deposit rental car from about ฿800 a day often costs less than two return private transfers, and frees you from waiting for drivers or agreeing fares every time you want to change beach or reach the ferry. It is why many visitors to the eastern seaboard drive.

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Questions about Pattaya airport transfers

How much is a taxi from Pattaya Airport to Pattaya?

A metered taxi from U-Tapao to Pattaya is about ฿600 to ฿800 for the 40 km, 45-minute run, though drivers often quote a fixed ฿1,000. A shared airport minibus is about ฿250 per person, and a pre-booked private transfer starts from about ฿1,300 per car.

Is there a bus or minibus from Pattaya Airport?

Yes. A shared airport minibus or limousine van runs to Pattaya for about ฿250 per person, leaving when full, and a shared van to Rayong or Ban Phe is around ฿300. There is no public train; the planned high-speed rail line is not yet open.

How much is a taxi to Jomtien?

Jomtien is about 40 km from U-Tapao, roughly 50 to 60 minutes. A taxi runs about ฿1,000 to ฿1,600, while a pre-booked private transfer starts from around ฿1,800. Fares rise at night and in the November to February high season.

Can I book a transfer in advance?

Yes. A private transfer from Pattaya Airport is booked online at a fixed price, with the driver tracking your flight and waiting at arrivals with a sign even if a charter is delayed. It is the easiest choice for late arrivals and families with luggage.

How do I get to the Koh Samet ferry?

The ferry to Koh Samet leaves from Ban Phe pier, about 35 km east of U-Tapao. A shared van costs roughly ฿300 and a taxi ฿300 to ฿800 depending on how you negotiate; a private transfer is around ฿700. A rental car lets you drive there and park at the pier.

Is it cheaper to rent a car?

If you plan to visit more than one or two places, yes. Single U-Tapao fares to Pattaya, Jomtien and Rayong add up, so a no-deposit rental car from about ฿800 a day often works out cheaper than a few transfers, and it goes wherever you want.