Pattaya transport - getting around
Pattaya is a very easy city to get around although the busy traffic causes frequent hold-ups at peak times (07:00 – 09:00 and 15:00 to 18:30), particularly on the major roads. Unusually, for Thailand, there are no tuk-tuks in Pattaya, so everyone usually gets around on the baht-buses or ‘songtaews’ (minibuses) and on motorbike taxis. There are literally thousands of both all over Pattaya.
Taxis
Taxis (songthaews) are blue pick-up trucks with a hard canopy top and one bench seat either side. These taxis cruise Pattaya on routes, but can be deviated to any destination, and will take you anywhere in Pattaya if the price is right. Bargain hard if there are plenty around. If there are more than two of you it’s a good, cheap option to get you anywhere in Pattaya.
Taxis ply the popular routes and are so frequent you rarely have to wait long to flag one down. The routes follow the main roads, the busiest being from South Pattaya along 2nd Road, down Soi 2, along Beach Road and round, but there are many more routes all over the city. As a general guide, if you hop on a taxi going in the right direction you’ll get there, even if you have to change taxis at a junction. The standard fee for anywhere on the route is 10 baht for foreigners and 5 baht for Thais (foreigners with Thais are expected to pay full fares for both). Fares for longer stages are written in the back of every taxi. From Central Pattaya to Jomtien you may be charged 20 baht (10 for Thais) to go over the hill, and also to Naklua in the north, which is roughly the same distance away.
Along any route in Pattaya all you have to do is flag down the driver with a small gesture, get on, wait until you are about five metres from your exact destination, ring the bell on the ceiling and your driver will stop. You pay him through the window on the pavement side. Do remember to keep some change for these as they don’t like changing large notes.
Proper taxis with air-con are available for trips anywhere, not just to the airport. These taxis are not normally metered and any trip is subject to bargaining. However there are various standard tariffs, and most taxi firms advertise these. Firms around 2nd Road are plentiful, both in and out of doors. Shop around for the cheaper ones, but don’t expect a new car. Most of the drivers speak a bit of English and are great sources of information.
Motorbike-taxis
Motorbike-taxis are a way of life in Pattaya. If you want to get to somewhere quickly or conveniently, particularly at busy times, these are your best bet. On every corner in Pattaya, no matter how small the Soi (street), you will find a gathering of motorbike-taxis. They are there 24 hours a day 7 days per week and offer a convenient service. However, this option is not for the faint-hearted and can be dangerous. These chaps, and the occasional lady will take you anywhere for 20/50 baht each depending upon the distance. If you’re riding three-up it will cost you less.
In Thailand it is illegal to ride a motorbike or to be a passenger without a helmet, to ride with more than two passengers, to undertake in traffic, to go the wrong way down one-way streets, to exceed the speed limit or, to jump red lights, which means very little to anyone in Thailand and driving habits here are appalling. If you want to get a motorbike-taxi anywhere in Pattaya just walk outside wherever you are, raise an arm or clap your hands twice and there it is! Make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date just in case.
Bus
Pattaya Council has recently started a bus service with three routes around the city and up to Sukhumvit road and Jomtien. These routes roughly follow the taxi ones, but go in larger circles. These buses are not as regular as the taxis though. Leaflets about bus routes are easily obtainable from your hotel or any travel agency. In reality, taxis are so cheap here that visitors rarely bother with buses around Pattaya.
Hire cars and motorbikes
Another practical way to get around Pattaya is by hiring a motorbike. Some people simply don’t have the nerve to tackle the traffic and bizarre driving habits here, as they are very similar to Bangkok during the busy periods of the day and night. You can hire a motorbike for around 150 baht a day or cheaper for longer periods. Larger motorbikes are freely available as well but obviously more expensive. These scooter-type bikes (the ubiquitous Honda Dream being the most popular) are actually extremely easy to ride, with no clutch when changing gears, and very reliable. Traffic doesn’t move at very fast speeds so they are actually ideal vehicles for tourists to get around on.
Cars can be hired too, but driving them in and around the city is likely to be a frustrating experience, particularly at school times, market days, rush hours (there are six in Pattaya!) and on Sukhumvit Road. Four wheels are only really useful if it’s raining or you intend to explore the area. There are many hire firms around the city with prices starting at around 500 baht a day for the older cars, to a more realistic 1200+ baht for more modern or four wheel drive vehicles.
The last option is your own two feet. The best way to discover a city is by walking around it at your own pace. The best times is in the early morning when it’s cool and quiet, although you will be surprised how much goes on in Pattaya in the early morning. It has often been called ‘the city that never sleeps’. Walking along Beach Road under the palms and overlooking the sea is popular at any time of day or night. For those with more energy, a stroll up the hill through the park to Chinese Hill, or the Lookout Point, with its stunning views, is a good way to start the day. Unfortunately, the heat and humidity in Thailand make walking quite unsuitable most of the day. If you’re walking anywhere in Pattaya, do be careful of potholes, loose paving stones and bad pavements. The pavements at night are often crowded and patience is necessary, as it is with crossing the main roads. You may have to wait two or three minutes for a gap in the traffic to cross any large road safely. But this is Thailand, so what’s the hurry?
Safety warning
Driving habits in Thailand are woeful and most drivers are quite irresponsible and ignore simple safety rules. In contrast to their usual polite and non-confrontational behaviour, people in Thailand become quite inconsiderate behind the wheel. Be very wary of your speed and always look out for bad drivers, Pattaya is full of them. Unlike many Western countries, it’s very easy to pass a driving test here, so many drivers have little or no experience of driving either in town or on main roads. Many simply don’t have a licence at all or any awareness of road rules. Be prepared at any time for other drivers to suddenly pull out in front of you without even looking, stop without warning, overtake dangerously (and on the inside) and ignore motorcyclists. Some people just stop and park where it suits them, weave through the traffic with a death wish, ride the wrong way up the road into oncoming traffic and more. Do pay careful attention and drive conservatively. Accidents are regular in Pattaya and when they do occur, the offender is reluctant to accept any responsibility. Should the worst happen however, the Pattaya police and ambulance services are exceptionally good, as well as being very quick on the scene.
