Things have gotten pretty hectic in the city of Pattaya as it has expanded rapidly over the last few decades, and now has become a mini bustling metropolis. The buses are inconvenient and taxis are expensive people keep saying. Well yes, that certainly used to be the case in Pattaya but not anymore.
The Best Way To Travel On A Budget In Pattaya
The city is so large that it’s almost impossible to get around everywhere on foot but thankfully, there is a better option than that, especially for longer journeys and that is the ‘songthaew’. These minivans are pretty much everywhere in Pattaya and are perfect for getting around the city at a ridiculously cheap price.
So let’s take a look at what a songthaew is, where to find one and how to get around in Pattaya on the cheap with one of these unusual vehicles.
What Is A Songthaew In Pattaya
A songthaew is a mini-van typically found in Southeast Asia. The word “songthaew” is roughly an ‘adapted pick up truck used as a bus or taxi’. Most will be found in cities or tourist hubs around Thailand or Laos although they have been seen in several other countries as well.
Songthaews are typically very basic vehicles that don’t have air conditioning or a toilet. They’re essentially like a very old school bus with two bench seats in the back facing eachother and one bench seat in the front.
Using a songthaew to get around Pattaya is convenient because they can take you almost anywhere in the city at a very low cost. They’re also very easy to spot as they look nothing like most other vehicles.
On The Road In Pattaya With A Songthaew
When you’re on the road in Pattaya with a songthaew, you’ll be glad to know that they can be much cheaper than a taxi. In fact, you may be able to get all of Pattaya for the price of one taxi ride. Songthaews will charge around 60 Baht for the first 1 km, then 20 Baht per kilometer after that.
That means you may only be able to see about half of the city before you have to pay again. If you’re going farther than 2 kilometers, you should ask the driver before hand if he’s willing to take you for the standard price.
If you’re planning on going somewhere particularly far, it’s worth it to ask the driver if he would be willing to take you for the standard price and then pay him extra to go farther. You can tell him that you’re going to a specific place and he may agree to take you.
Finding A Songthaew In Pattaya
Finding a songthaew in Pattaya isn’t too hard. Most of the time, you can just walk up to a random van and ask the driver if they’re going your way. If they are, you can pay him and get in. If not, you can just walk away and try another van. Songthaews will drive almost anywhere in the city, so you can just ask any place you need to go.
They’re also great for sightseeing, as you can hop out and walk around the sights for a bit whenever you get a chance. That can be a fun way to see some of the city. You can also ask the driver if he’d be willing to take you for a short bike ride or a walk along the beach. It’s a great way to get some culture and nature into your travel budget.
Personal Baht Bus In Pattaya
There are a couple of different bus companies that run services throughout Pattaya. You can find them at the bus stop on the main road in the city near the train station. Those buses will take you to various tourist destinations outside of the city as well.
You can also find many of these buses around the city, so you can just ask the driver to drop you off at the next tourist destination if you don’t want to pay. There are also a number of bus companies that will take you to various beaches throughout the city.
Those buses will stop at Walking Street and China Town before dropping you off at any of the beaches. The bus schedule is pretty consistent, so you can plan your day around when you need to get to whichever beach you want to visit.
Which Baht Bus To Take in Pattaya
There are a number of bus companies that run through Pattaya. The most popular one is Bus Chat Bus, as they’re easy to use, have a variety of routes, and are quite cheap. Indeed, it’s possible to get to all of the major beaches and attractions in Pattaya for around 1,300 Baht.
That’s almost half the price of a flight. The bus company is easy to use, with a website and an app that will get you anywhere in the city. If you’re willing to go a little farther out of town, you can also take a bus to the beach.
The bus schedule is pretty consistent, and they’re a cheap and easy way to get out of the city. There are a number of bus companies that will take you almost anywhere in the country. If you’re willing to get a little bit out of town, there are some beautiful beaches in the area.
Get Around On The Cheap In Pattaya
Songthaews are an easy way to get around Pattaya for a low cost. You can get almost anywhere in the city for the price of one songthaew ride. Moreover, you can use them to get from the bus stop on the main road in the city near the train station to the main tourist attractions in the city.
When you’re using a songthaew, you can ask the driver where he’s going. If there’s anywhere they frequently go, they’ll usually tell you. That way, you can just ask the driver if he’d be willing to take you for a short bike ride or a walk along the beach.
It’s a great way to get some culture and nature into your travel budget.