Pattaya Travel Guide: Pattaya's reputation as a center of sex tourism in Thailand is undeniable. Although efforts have been made to attract more families, go-go bars and other establishments offering encounters or, let's say, rather suggestive services are ubiquitous – not just on the famous Walking Street. The beaches in South Pattaya are anything but exceptional: in the mornings, they teem with speedboats, which later give way to a dense sea of ​​parasols and sun loungers. In short: if the nightlife and its excesses don't appeal to you, Pattaya might not be the place for you. Not all of Pattaya, but certainly South Pattaya. To the north, however, there's Naklua, as well as Jomtien, or even Na Jomtien, which I personally prefer to Jomtien, although the strong Russian presence there can sometimes be a bit oppressive. The beautiful beaches aren't far away. Koh Larn, an island off the coast of Pattaya, is not far away, and although it's a popular weekend destination for Bangkok residents, during the week—as long as you avoid the overcrowded Tawaen Beach—it's considerably nicer than Pattaya's beaches. Pattaya itself has a few attractions, such as the Shrine of Truth, the Big Buddha on the hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien, and the floating market, which, however, feels rather commercial and artificial. Russian tourists have been a significant presence in Pattaya for years, particularly in Jomtien, where even the shop windows and massage parlors display signs exclusively in Cyrillic. In South Pattaya, you should avoid the coastline in the evenings, especially with family. Walking Street at the end of the same road, the nightlife mecca with its go-go bars and striptease shows, is also not recommended to avoid embarrassing questions from your children. In short: Even though Pattaya is trying to improve its image as a family holiday destination in Thailand, it's not a particularly attractive destination for me personally, even though I like Nakluea and Koh Larn if we stay there. All information about getting around in Pattaya can be found in our section "Getting Around in Pattaya".

Accommodation in Pattaya: Pattaya is made up of many different, lively districts. Accommodation options are diverse. South Pattaya, with its bustling Walking Street, attracts the most tourists and is the busiest area. This is where most hotels and guesthouses are located. Jomtien, a little further south, is also very popular with tourists. The Russian community is large there, while smaller, budget-friendly accommodations are less numerous. These are mainly concentrated near Thap Phraya Road. The further you go towards Na Jomtien, the fewer beach umbrellas you'll find and the more accommodations you'll have. In the north, in Naklua, it's significantly quieter. There are fewer accommodations here. The most affordable guesthouses in North Pattaya are located in and around Soi 3. Find accommodation in Pattaya. Choose a destination: Amphawa Ayutthaya Bang Saphan Bangkok Buriram Cha Am Chachoengsao Chaiyaphum Chanthaburi Chiang Dao Chiang Khan Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chonburi Chumphon Dan Sai Hat Yai Hua Hin Kalasin Kamphaeng Phet Kanchanaburi Khao Lak Khao Sok Koh Chang Koh Jum Koh Kood Koh Lanta Koh Larn Koh Lipe Koh Mak Koh Phangan Koh Phayam Koh Phi Phi Koh Samet Koh Samui Koh Sichang Koh Tao Koh Wai Krabi Lampang Lamphun Loei Lopburi Mae Hong Son Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Phanom Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Si Thammarat Nan Nang Rong Nong Khai Pai Pak Chong Pattaya Phang Nga Phang Nga Phayao Phetchabun Phetchaburi Phitsanulok Phrae Phuket Prachuap Khiri Khan Pranburi Railay Ranong Ratchaburi Rayong Roi Et Samut Songkhram Sangkhlaburi Sattahip Sukhothai Surat Thani Surin Tak Trang Trat Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani all categories less than 300 THB from 300 to 500 THB from 500 to 1000 THB from 1000 to 2500 THB from 2500 to 5000 THB plus 5000 THB // grey Less prices not available in the city selection ("All prices are available at any time") function findAccommodationCategories(citySelect) { var option=citySelect.options[citySelect.selectedIndex]; var price=parseInt(option ? option.getAttribute("data-price") : 0,10) || 0; var categories=citySelect.form.elements["categories"]; if(!categories) return; for(var i=0;i<categories.options.length;i++) { var val=categories.options[i].value; categories.options[i].disabled=!(val=="all" || val=="-" || (Math.pow(2,parseInt(val,10))&price)); } } (function() { var forms=document.querySelectorAll("#form-accommodations form"); var form=forms[forms.length-1]; if(form && form.elements["cities"]) findAccommodationCategories(form.elements["cities"]); })(); My Recommendations I am often asked which accommodations I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations for Pattaya. Wave Hotel in Pattaya (9.3/10) Book now More details Birds & Bees Resort Hotel in Pattaya (South Pattaya) (8.6/10) Book now More Details March Hotel in Pattaya (Naklua) (8.6/10) Book now More details T5 Suites Hotel in Pattaya (South Pattaya) (8.5/10) Book now More details Admire House Hotel in Pattaya (South Pattaya) (9.1/10) Book now More details Ice Inn Hotel in Pattaya (South Pattaya) (7.0/10) Book now More details View all accommodations in Pattaya

Practical information about Pattaya: Please note that the Songkran festival, where people splash each other with water to celebrate the Thai New Year, lasts a week here, unlike the three days in the rest of the country. During this time (starting April 13th), you should avoid going out on the street without risking getting completely soaked. Dress accordingly. Pattaya has its own television station: TV Pattaya. There are numerous bus connections from Bangkok to Pattaya (tickets can be booked online HERE).

How do you get to Pattaya? The most convenient way to travel to Pattaya is by bus. From Bangkok, there are regular, though less frequent, connections from Ekkamai Terminal or Mo Chit Terminal. Alternatively, buses also depart from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and, since March 2025, from Don Mueang Airport. The bus journey from Bangkok takes just over two hours. You can book tickets online HERE or buy them directly at ticket counters in bus stations or airports in Bangkok. However, be aware that if you book at the last minute, you might have to let one or two buses depart before you get a seat. Pattaya also has an airport in Utapao with direct flights from Koh Samui, Phuket, Udon Thani, and even Chiang Mai, as well as some international flights. In addition, there are two daily train connections from Bangkok. [arrow_circle_right] See all travel options to Pattaya

What's the best way to get around Pattaya? Surprisingly, there are quite a few tuk-tuks in Pattaya. The meters used here are mostly from Bangkok and are rarely used. Motorcycle taxis are much more common and cheaper, but less safe. Apps like InDRIVE, Grab, or Bolt allow you to order vehicles with drivers. However, the most common mode of transport in Pattaya is still the songthaew, also known as a baht bus. They generally run on fixed routes and cost 10 baht for a short trip. The white songthaews go to Si Racha or Sattahip (the trip to which is more expensive). Dark blue buses mainly run between Naklua and Jomtien. Pattaya also has a bus network with three lines, indicated by the colors green, red, and yellow. All lines start at Big C in South Pattaya. A single ticket costs about 20 baht. Maps are available from drivers and in most hotels and resorts. A rental car in Pattaya costs between 800 and 1500 THB per day, depending on the model, while a scooter starts at 150 THB (often with a 1000 THB deposit). Carefully inspect the vehicle and take photos to avoid problems later. If a rental company asks you to leave your passport as security, refuse. This is illegal and can cause you difficulties. You must carry your passport with you at all times.

Wonderfruit Festival: This festival usually takes place several times a year. More about the Wonderfruit Festival

Pattaya International Music Festival. This festival usually takes place in March. More about the Pattaya International Music Festival

The Pattaya Lighting Festival usually takes place in May. More about the Pattaya Lighting Festival

Pattaya Seafood Festival: This festival usually takes place in May. More about the Pattaya Seafood Festival

Pattaya Bikini Beach Race: This festival usually takes place in October. More about the Pattaya Bikini Beach Race

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival. This festival usually takes place in November. More about the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

Pattaya Boat Races (traditional) This festival usually takes place in November. More about the Pattaya Boat Races (traditional)

Pattaya New Year's Countdown Festival. This festival usually takes place in December. More about the Pattaya New Year's Countdown Festival

Other sights in Pattaya: Wang Sam Sien (★★★★) – This small Chinese temple is located on a hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien, just before the Big Buddha. The wall where you can read short stories and Chinese legends is particularly interesting. The Pattaya Floating Market (★★★★) – This newly built floating market, while artificial, is a pleasant place to shop, stroll, and eat, especially if you haven't experienced this type of market before. The variety of wooden and bamboo stalls and walkways gives it a certain authentic charm, even if it's still far from a traditional Thai floating market. Khao Chi Chan Mountain (★★★★) is located a few dozen kilometers from Pattaya in the Sathahip district. A large Buddha image adorns one of its walls. Koh Si Chang Island lies opposite the town of Si Racha, just north of Pattaya. It is quite rocky and has only two sandy beaches. However, with its viewpoints, picturesque scenery, temples, seafood restaurants, and the site of a former royal residence that was dismantled and rebuilt in Bangkok, it is a popular destination for Thais, who flock there in large numbers on weekends and holidays. The island is easily accessible from Bangkok.

How do you ask for directions to Pattaya in Thai? I want to go to Pattaya / Yak pai thi Pattaya. Where is Pattaya? / Pattaya yu thi nai?