The easiest way to get from Ekkamai to Pattaya by bus is to take the large coach from Ekkamai Bus Terminal to North Pattaya Bus Terminal.
As of 2026, the fare is 155 baht, and buses are still operating even though Ekkamai Bus Terminal is under renovation.
- Quick Answer
- Why Ekkamai is still useful for Pattaya buses
- How to get to Ekkamai Bus Terminal from BTS Ekkamai
- Ekkamai Bus Terminal is under renovation, but Pattaya buses are still running
- Ekkamai to Pattaya bus fare and ticket purchase
- Watch out for minivan touts at Ekkamai
- Facilities at Ekkamai Bus Terminal
- Ekkamai to Pattaya bus schedule
- Bus interior and luggage
- Arrival at North Pattaya Bus Terminal
- Bus vs taxi: the cost difference is huge
- Final thoughts: Ekkamai is still a strong option for Bangkok to Pattaya
Quick Answer
- Route: Ekkamai Bus Terminal → North Pattaya Bus Terminal
- Fare: 155 baht
- Travel time: About 2 hours, depending on traffic
- Nearest BTS station: Ekkamai
- Ticket: Same-day tickets are usually available on weekdays
- Best for: Travelers staying around Sukhumvit
- Watch out for: Weekends, holidays, and major Pattaya events
Why Ekkamai is still useful for Pattaya buses
There are two main bus terminals in Bangkok for regular intercity buses to Pattaya: Ekkamai Bus Terminal and Mo Chit Bus Terminal. Airport buses from Suvarnabhumi are a separate route.
Ekkamai remains useful because it combines three things that matter for this route: BTS access, frequent departures, and a direct arrival at North Pattaya Bus Terminal.
There has been talk in recent years about moving more bus routes to Mo Chit, but as of 2026, the main Pattaya route from Ekkamai is still operating. I checked the terminal myself, and buses to Pattaya were running normally.
For travelers staying around Sukhumvit, Ekkamai is still the first terminal I would check for a bus to Pattaya.
How to get to Ekkamai Bus Terminal from BTS Ekkamai
Ekkamai Bus Terminal is just a short walk from BTS Ekkamai Station on the Sukhumvit Line.
Once you come down from the station, the terminal is visible across the road. This is one of the biggest advantages of using Ekkamai: you do not need to cross Bangkok by taxi before even starting the trip.
If you are staying around Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, or On Nut, you can reach Ekkamai by BTS without worrying about road traffic.
Compared with taking a taxi across Bangkok, BTS plus a short walk is cheaper and more predictable.
Ekkamai Bus Terminal is under renovation, but Pattaya buses are still running
When I visited in 2026, the main Ekkamai Bus Terminal building was under renovation. Passengers could not enter the building, and tickets were being sold from temporary booths near the entrance.
The Pattaya ticket booth was located near the usual ticket counter area, on the far right side when facing the terminal building.
The temporary setup looked rough at first, but the actual process was simple. I did not see any serious confusion around ticket purchase or boarding.
I could not find a clear official notice showing when the renovation will end. For travelers, the important point is this: Pattaya buses are still operating normally, and no special procedure is required.
At the time of my visit, the basic flow was:
- Arrive at BTS Ekkamai Station
- Walk to Ekkamai Bus Terminal
- Go to the temporary ticket booths near the entrance
- Buy the Pattaya ticket at the far-right booth
- Pay 155 baht
- Go to the platform printed on your ticket, usually Platform 15
- Store your luggage under the bus and board
Ekkamai to Pattaya bus fare and ticket purchase
The Bangkok Ekkamai to Pattaya bus is operated by Roong Reuang Coach.
The fare used to be 131 baht, but the Roong Reuang Coach official website now shows 155 baht for the Ekkamai to Pattaya route.
You can buy a ticket on the day at the counter. Cash is accepted, and QR payment was also available when I visited.
On a normal weekday, you may be able to arrive and get a seat on the next bus or a nearby departure.
However, same-day tickets are not guaranteed every day.
Saturdays, long weekends, and the day before major events in Pattaya can be much busier. Events such as the Pattaya Marathon or Pattaya International Fireworks Festival can create sudden demand that visitors may not expect.
If your schedule is tight, check availability in advance.
If you want to compare departures or book ahead, 12Go is also useful, although the final price may be higher than buying directly at the counter.
Watch out for minivan touts at Ekkamai
When you walk toward the Pattaya bus ticket area, you may be approached by people promoting minivans.
They may say the van leaves soon or is faster.
Sometimes that may be true. But minivans often wait until enough passengers are ready. They may also stop at places such as Si Racha before reaching Pattaya.
So the actual travel time is not always shorter.
Minivans can make sense if you are going to Si Racha or somewhere closer to South Pattaya or Bali Hai Pier. But if your goal is a stable, straightforward trip to Pattaya, the large bus is the safer choice.
The large bus has a fixed departure time, a proper seat, and fewer surprises.
Facilities at Ekkamai Bus Terminal
Ekkamai Bus Terminal has paid toilets near the bus boarding area. The toilet I used cost 10 baht and was reasonably clean for a busy bus terminal.
There was also another toilet farther inside near the platforms. It looked older, but it was usable. When I visited, that one was free.
Small shops were also open around the waiting area.
The main building was restricted because of the renovation, but the basic facilities needed before boarding were still available.
Ekkamai to Pattaya bus schedule
Large buses from Ekkamai to Pattaya usually operate from around 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
After around 9:00 a.m., buses are generally listed as running about once per hour.
That said, actual operations can be more flexible.
I took an 11:40 a.m. bus that did not appear on the official online timetable and could not be booked online. Even so, the bus left full.
Based on that, extra departures may be added depending on demand.
The official timetable is useful, but it should be treated as a guide rather than the full picture of what happens at the terminal.
If you are traveling on a weekend or during a busy period, booking ahead is safer.
For the reverse route, see:
→ Pattaya to Bangkok Ekkamai Bus Guide
Bus interior and luggage
The large bus from Ekkamai to Pattaya was a standard 38-seat coach with four seats per row.
There were no power outlets on my bus.
The seat space was not luxurious, but it was fine for a trip of around two hours.
The passengers were very international. I saw Thai passengers, Indian travelers, Western travelers, and Chinese-speaking travelers. That mix felt very Pattaya.
There was a toilet on board, but no toilet paper. If you think you may need to use the toilet, bring your own tissue.
Large luggage is not a problem. Suitcases can be stored in the luggage compartment under the bus.
Arrival at North Pattaya Bus Terminal
The bus from Ekkamai arrives at North Pattaya Bus Terminal in about two hours, depending on traffic.
The terminal is not within easy walking distance of Pattaya Beach, Central Pattaya, or most hotels. After arrival, you will need another form of transport.
Main options are:
Motorbike taxi
Good for solo travelers with light luggage. Fast and simple.
Songthaew
A shared pickup truck taxi. The fare from the terminal area is commonly 50 baht (fee may change). Useful if you want to keep costs low.
Grab or Bolt
Best if you have luggage, travel with others, or want to go directly to your hotel.
Once you choose the right onward transport, getting from North Pattaya Bus Terminal to your hotel is straightforward.
Bus vs taxi: the cost difference is huge
A private taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya usually costs around 1,200 to 1,500 baht.
The Ekkamai bus costs 155 baht.
The travel time is not always dramatically different, especially if Bangkok traffic is moderate. From a cost point of view, the bus wins clearly.
If you are coming directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport, however, you may not need to go into Bangkok first. The airport has its own direct bus route to Pattaya, which is often more practical for airport arrivals.
For that route, see:
→ Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Bus Guide
Final thoughts: Ekkamai is still a strong option for Bangkok to Pattaya
The Ekkamai to Pattaya bus remains one of the most practical ways to travel from central Bangkok to Pattaya.
The terminal is under renovation, but the Pattaya route is still running normally. Tickets are sold at temporary booths, and the boarding process is still easy enough once you know where to go.
For travelers staying along Sukhumvit, Ekkamai is especially convenient. You can reach the terminal by BTS, avoid Bangkok traffic before departure, and travel to Pattaya for 155 baht.
Mo Chit also has buses to Pattaya, and I have used that route before. But from the Sukhumvit area, Ekkamai is easier to reach, costs less overall, and is more convenient for most visitors.
If you are traveling on a weekday, same-day tickets are usually realistic. If you are traveling on a weekend, holiday, or before a major Pattaya event, check seats in advance.
For budget travel from Bangkok city to Pattaya, Ekkamai is still the first place I would check.
