How to Travel From Bangkok to Pattaya by Train
You can easily travel by train from Bangkok to the popular beach destination of Pattaya on Thailand’s Eastern Railway Line.
Although most travellers choose to take a bus or taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya, the train is a much more scenic and authentic option, allowing you to see more of the countryside along the way.
In this short guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about taking the train from Bangkok to Pattaya!
Bangkok to Pattaya by train
There are currently two main trains you can take to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya:
- A daily third-class local train
- A weekend-only special railcar
Both these trains use Bangkok’s historic Hua Lamphong railway station, which is centrally located and well-connected to other parts of the city with public transport.
The railway station in Pattaya is located a little away from the main beach area, so most travellers opt for a taxi to continue their journey to their accommodation or final destination.
Note that Pattaya is only an intermediate station on the Eastern Railway Line, so both trains are likely to show Chuk Samet, the final destination of the route, on the train shields and departure boards.
Train at Bangkok Hua Lamphong railway station. ©AndyBTravels
Daily local train
The daily local train is the cheapest option and takes around 3.5 hours to complete the journey between Bangkok and Pattaya.
This train only has third-class unreserved seating, with basic benches and no air conditioning, but it is an enjoyable way to experience local Thai train travel.
On the plus side, the windows can be opened fully, allowing a refreshing breeze to flow through the carriage while you can lean out of the window and enjoy unobstructed views along the railway line.
On the outbound journey from Bangkok to Pattaya, this service operates as train number 283, while the return journey uses train number 284.
The train currently departs Bangkok at 06:55, arriving in Pattaya at 10:34.
On the return journey, it departs Pattaya at 14:21 and arrives back in the Thai capital at 18:15.
Tickets for this train cost just 31 Thai baht (€0.81, £0.70, US$0.94) and can only be bought at the station shortly before departure, usually around one hour in advance.
These tickets cannot be purchased in advance and cannot sell out.
Third class seating on a Thai train. ©AndyBTravels
Special railcar
On Saturdays and Sundays only, there is also a special express ‘sprinter’ railcar, which is a more comfortable option.
This diesel railcar is fully air-conditioned and has second-class seating only.
It completes the journey in around 2.5 hours, making it a faster and more comfortable alternative to the daily local train.
On the outbound journey, this diesel railcar operates as train number SP887 or SP997, departing Bangkok at 06:45 and arriving in Pattaya at 09:13.
On the return journey, it operates as SP888 or SP998, departing Pattaya at 16:26 and arriving back in the Thai capital at 18:55.
Tickets for this train cost 170 Thai baht (€4.45, £3.82, US$5.14) and can sell out, so buying them in advance is highly recommended.
You can buy tickets for this weekend-only special express train through 12Go,.
Your ticket will automatically include a reserved seat.
Conclusion
There is a decent train connection between Bangkok and Pattaya, with trains taking between 2.5 and 3.5 hours depending on the service you choose.
The daily local train is the cheapest but also the slowest option, while the weekend-only special railcars are faster and more comfortable.
You can easily buy tickets for the local train at the station shortly before departure, as these cannot be booked online in advance, and cannot sell out.
However, booking tickets in advance is recommended for the railcar, as it has reserved seating only and can therefore sell out.
Read my Thai train guide to learn more about train travel in Thailand.
