Pattaya U Tapao Airport (UTP)
U Tapao Airport - a Suvarnabhumi alternative
Although most visitors to Pattaya arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport there is a local airport at U-Tapao. This is convenient for flying south to Phuket and Samui directly (thus saving time on the road), or making a short visit to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It also serves charter flights from Eastern Europe.
Also known as Pattaya Airport, U-Tapao has a small airstrip and limited facilities, albeit boasts international status. It was formerly a very busy airbase during the Vietnam War era and played a hand in Pattaya’s rise to international holiday resort. U-Tapao International Airport, tel: (038) 245 595, email: webmaster@utapao.com.
Bangkok Air has two scheduled flights a day to Samui (10:50 and 16:50) - Pattaya Office open: 08:00-17.30, tel: (038) 412 382 - and one to Phuket (12:40), taking approximately 90 minutes.
There is also a daily flight to and from Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat) in Cambodia offered by PMT Air. Korean Air flies three times a week to and from Incheon. The Moscow service from Transaero is a seasonal service.
At Pattaya U Tapao Airport you will find a simple terminal with refreshment facilities, customs and immigration, money changers and an information desk. Taxis are always on hand to take you to Pattaya and although they usually only settle for a set fee, the amount should be no more than 300 baht (less if you bargain and the flight is empty). No other transport options are available.
Beginning in 2009, the Pattaya city council, in collaboration with the U-Tapao authorities, have been working to upgrade, improve and expand the facilities and usability of U-Tapao as it relates to Pattaya tourism. There is a move afoot to try and get as many major international airlines as possible to start scheduling more flights into U-Tapao, but this may take a few more years yet. The most significant addition has been a direct U-Tapao-Clark Airfield in the Philippines flight. It is the closest airport to Angeles City.
Flights from U Tapao (Pattaya) to Phuket
| Flight | Departure | Arrive | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG281 | 13.00 | 14.00 | Daily |
Flights from Phuket to U Tapao (Pattaya)
| Flight | Departure | Arrive | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG282 | 15.10 | 16.50 | Daily |
Flights from U Tapao (Pattaya) to Samui
| Flight | Departure | Arrive | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG292 | 11.00 | 12.10 | Daily |
| PG294 | 17.20 | 18.30 | Daily |
Flights from Samui to U Tapao (Pattaya)
| Flight | Departure | Arrive | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG293 | 09.15 | 10.30 | Daily |
| PG252 | 11.10 | 12.25 | Daily |
PG: Bangkok Airways www.bangkokair.com
Updated: January 2012
