Car Rental · 30 October 2026 · 3 min read
Bangkok Airport to Pattaya: How to Get There
By Shane RuddleI've run Pattaya Rent a Car since 2010, so you might expect me to tell you to pick up a rental car at the airport. I don't. My advice is to take a taxi to Pattaya and sort out a car once you've arrived.
How much is a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya?
Around ฿1,500 one way these days. There are plenty of taxis at the official taxi rank, so you don't need to pre-book. Just walk outside and get in one.
Should you pre-book an airport transfer?
You might save a little money, but I wouldn't bother. On a lot of occasions, the driver can't find the passenger, or the passenger can't find the driver. Walking straight out to the taxi rank is far simpler.
Can you use Grab or Bolt from the airport?
Yes. Both work and tend to be a little cheaper than the official taxi rank, probably because official airport taxis pay a fee for their spot. Drivers usually wait nearby, so after you book on the app, they'll typically reach the pickup area in about 10 minutes. Then you put your bags in and away you go.
Can you rent a car at the airport?
Yes. Big international firms such as Hertz and National have desks at the airport, though you'll pay more and you'll need to pre-book.
At Pattaya Rent a Car we will deliver to the airport, and we charge for it, but to be honest we'd rather not. We've turned up on time only for a flight to be delayed by two hours, with our staff member left waiting. Most customers who ask for it are just going to drive back to Pattaya anyway. We'd much rather organise a taxi for you.
Should you drive yourself after a long flight?
I wouldn't. When you plan a trip, you don't know how it will actually go. Your flight might be delayed before you leave, your bags might get lost, or there might be a queue at immigration. So much can go wrong that meeting someone at a set time to collect a car rarely works out.
I prefer to leave things open: arrive, then organise it. And you'll never be stuck at Suvarnabhumi. There's always a taxi available.
Once you're here, read what I tell every Pattaya Rent a Car customer about driving here, and for when to come, the best time to visit Pattaya. When you're ready for a car, Pattaya Rent a Car can help.