Bell buses

[lounge_lizard]

I didn't have time to read all 450 posts, but i have a quick question...how many different bus options are there currently from Suvharnabhumi to Pattaya?

 

I know the Bell Bus schedule...is there still a 123 Bus? or a 389 Bus??

There are other, cheaper buses.  They have a more frequent schedule and run later in the evening. 

 

You can buy your ticket at the same booth as the Bell bus.

 

BUT....

 

Bell deliver you to your hotel, while the others drop you off on third road at the junction of Pattaya Klang or Pattaya Tai, and then continue on to Jomtien.  This is OK if you really know your way around,  but otherwise, you're looking at a taxi to the hotel, so there's not much difference in the total cost.

[boxershrimp]

Bell deliver you to your hotel, while the others drop you off on third road at the junction of Pattaya Klang or Pattaya Tai, and then continue on to Jomtien.  This is OK if you really know your way around,  but otherwise, you're looking at a taxi to the hotel, so there's not much difference in the total cost.

Mostly correct, but the drop offs are on Sukhumvit, at Pattaya North, Central and South Roads, and also at this bus depot somewhere up on Thepprasit, which is where you're most likely to actually find a taxi waiting. 100 baht for shared transportation from there to your hotel makes the total come out at about the same price, so of course anyone with luggage at least should look at the Bell buses and not these ones.

[lounge_lizard]

Mostly correct, but the drop offs are on Sukhumvit, at Pattaya North, Central and South Roads, and also at this bus depot somewhere up on Thepprasit, which is where you're most likely to actually find a taxi waiting. 100 baht for shared transportation from there to your hotel makes the total come out at about the same price, so of course anyone with luggage at least should look at the Bell buses and not these ones.

You're right, of course - it is Sukhumvit, which is even further away from the town than Third Road.

[BigMike1970]

Just throwing this in here 'cause I don't think it's been covered. At close to 6 feet 10 inches tall, I ain't squeezing into a wee taxi for 1.5 hours. Bell Bus all the way, baby. At least I can reserve an aisle seat and stretch my legs into the aisle or stand a bit, if needed.

 

Big Mike.

[Eichenbaum]

Absolutely, happened to me at least 3 times that I can remember. (One of those times is a little easier than the others to recall, given that it was about 4 hours ago.)

 

On the other hand, I got to learn that the cheaper bus even has half-hour departures during peak times, not just one bus every hour. 16.30 was the one I got on, and it was nearly full too.

 

Good to know, cheers for sharing that. I think I'll pre-book to avoid any hassle.

[Whalley]

I understand no news is good news. There is no need to "report" to here.

 

My point was since this thread has been so quiet for months. A BM just make up some bullshit claim said Bell do not have service from DM to Pattaya. Another BM just made a new thread this morning which he has trouble to pre-book Bell bus. It is no hurt to write a line or two here if BMs take Bell bus. For examples, let BMs know if the bus is full or not. So, BMs could decide to pre-book or not. You see those female "private taxi" thread like Meow or Nam has new posts every week. So, why not we keep this thread active for the BMs who like to take Bell bus?

 

 

Mostly correct, but the drop offs are on Sukhumvit, at Pattaya North, Central and South Roads, and also at this bus depot somewhere up on Thepprasit, which is where you're most likely to actually find a taxi waiting. 100 baht for shared transportation from there to your hotel makes the total come out at about the same price, so of course anyone with luggage at least should look at the Bell buses and not these ones.

 

You're right, of course - it is Sukhumvit, which is even further away from the town than Third Road.

Last fall (don't remember the specific date), on the Bell Bus web site, a pop-up appeared stating that "service from Pattaya to Don Muang airport is temporarily suspended". No reason was given. A month or so later, the pop-up box did not appear on their web page and service was obviously back to normal. That information (temp stop of service and resumption) was also correctly reported on one of the many PA bus threads.

 

The other bus service, Bus 389 reduced the fare to 122 baht. As previously mentioned by another BM, they will often add additional busses to meet demand. A few weeks ago, they departed 2 busses at the same time from the Pattaya depot, to meet demand.

 

http://airportpattayabus.com/suvarnabhumi-airport-pattaya-bus-schedule-timetable

 

For those not familiar with the baht bus system, be aware that 10-baht busses run from Sukhumvit to Beach Rd along Pattaya North Rd. Pattaya Central Rd and Pattaya South Rd. So from each of these three stops you can easily pick up a 10 baht bus rather than charter one for 10 times the normal rate.

 

For me, aside from the smaller cost, I find it much faster getting about on the 10-baht bus system after using Bus 389 than getting sorted and shuttled about using Bell and their minibus at the Pattaya end of the trip. This being possible as a result of me taking the time to familiarize myself with Pattaya's fantastic baht bus system.

 

Also, be aware that the last stop for Bus 389 is right on the 10-baht bus route on Thappraya Rd, across from Pan Pan restaurant. One 10 baht bus from this stop in front of Pan Pan, will take you right through central Pattaya along Second Road. May carry on straight along Second Rd, but most often turns left on Pattaya North Rd to Beach Rd, and then runs the full length of beach road to Walking Street.

 

When in Pattaya and if wanting to find the Bus 389 depot, take the baht bus to Jomtien and look for the obvious landmarks, Pan Pan restaurant on your right, and the big yellow FOODMART sign on your left. Both easy to spot.

 

It's all so very simple if you have the information on how the system works and knowing where your hotel is located. But very much a big mystery when not informed.

 

Click link to see a simplified baht bus route (Buakhau not detailed, nor the areas north and south):

 

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/pattaya%20blue%20baht%20bus%20routes.pdf

Edited January 8, 2016 by Whalleywo

[jaynewcastle]

How long has their website & Facebook page been down for  ?

 

Questions being asked on TA if they've gone bust or not  ?

 

I wanted to book tickets myself in the next few weeks

[buck011]

Can somebody tell me,from experience,is it safe to book bell bus 9AM from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport,my flight to Phuket is 1230PM?

 

So i have about 3.5 hours to get to the airport&check in;and im looking for a transfer next month on Sunday?

Edited February 15, 2016 by buck011

[matrix123]

Can somebody tell me,from experience,is it safe to book bell bus 9AM from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport,my flight to Phuket is 1230PM?

 

So i have about 3.5 hours to get to the airport&check in;and im looking for a transfer next month on Sunday?

I guess you will be fine. I usually take the 11am Bell bus. The trip to airport is 2 hours or a little less. To Phuket is domestic and you don't need to go through immigration. So, you should have enough time.

[adamace]

Looks like no more bell bus from DM airport to pattaya....fuck my luck!!

[crossfield]

Looks like no more bell bus from DM airport to pattaya....fuck my luck!!

Not a big hassle. Get the Bell bus to Suvarnabhumi and hop on the shuttle bus to Don Muang. Takes an hour between the two airports and the shuttle is free if you have itinerary that shows you have caught a flight.

[Welbeck]

I guess you will be fine. I usually take the 11am Bell bus. The trip to airport is 2 hours or a little less. To Phuket is domestic and you don't need to go through immigration. So, you should have enough time.

I used it this week 17:00 bus for a 20:30 flight (same time frame as you), I was a bit worried about the traffic but once out of Pattaya it was no trouble at all, we got there at 18:45. I was picked up at 16:20 by a minibus then had a tour of the back streets of Pattaya to pick up a couple of other passengers then to the Bell bus office to get on the coach

Edited February 19, 2016 by Welbeck

[buck011]

Sounds good thx i will  book it :-)

Edited February 19, 2016 by buck011

[matrix123]

I used it this week 17:00 bus for a 20:30 flight (same time frame as you), I was a bit worried about the traffic but once out of Pattaya it was no trouble at all, we got there at 18:45. I was picked up at 16:20 by a minibus then had a tour of the back streets of Pattaya to pick up a couple of other passengers then to the Bell bus office to get on the coach

 

+1, I just took the 11am Bell bus to the airport. The bus left a few minutes late from their terminal. No traffic and arrived at BKK at 12:35! The only issue I had was the seat assignment! I took their bus from Bangkok (hotel not airport) last week. At that time only less than 10 passengers. So, people sat anywhere they wanted. When I took their bus to the airport this time. I was the first couple people get on the bus. I picked a seat all the way in the back. Suddenly a Korean guy came over trying to take my seat or the seat next to me. I was trying to ask him with so many empty seats around, why mine??!! It seems that he didn't understand anything I said and tried to sit on my lap so I just jump out from my seat! 555! Luckily, another Korean girl speak some English and pointed out that there is a handwritten number on the upper right corner of ticket. That was the seat number. What a embarrassing moment! 555!

[hioctane]

+1, I just took the 11am Bell bus to the airport. The bus left a few minutes late from their terminal. No traffic and arrived at BKK at 12:35! The only issue I had was the seat assignment! I took their bus from Bangkok (hotel not airport) last week. At that time only less than 10 passengers. So, people sat anywhere they wanted. When I took their bus to the airport this time. I was the first couple people get on the bus. I picked a seat all the way in the back. Suddenly a Korean guy came over trying to take my seat or the seat next to me. I was trying to ask him with so many empty seats around, why mine??!! It seems that he didn't understand anything I said and tried to sit on my lap so I just jump out from my seat! 555! Luckily, another Korean girl speak some English and pointed out that there is a handwritten number on the upper right corner of ticket. That was the seat number. What a embarrassing moment! 555!

Yes, there are seat numbers on the tickets!! I always get confused which seat is which because there is a number on the back of each seat. Are you supposed to sit in front or back of the number?

[matrix123]

Yes, there are seat numbers on the tickets!! I always get confused which seat is which because there is a number on the back of each seat. Are you supposed to sit in front or back of the number?

No, before the seat number was printed on the ticket. Now, the new computer system. No seat number is printed on the ticket. They just write it on. My ticket, Bell just wrote "3". On the seats, you look up, you will see the seat number where you put your hand carry bags.

Edited February 21, 2016 by matrix123

[OKAY]

Booking online for Bell Bus is a crap shoot according to your web browser. I have a Chomebook and the site just doesn't work for the machine. Can not get past the Pickup selection page, just hangs there as if it doesn't realize I've chosen a hotel to pick me up at. Oh well, I'll have to go in person or pay the extra and go in a car.

[jaynewcastle]

I've never had a problem booking tickets, apart from when the website was down obviously several weeks ago

[mr21]

No problem for me booking round-trip for my holiday in a few weeks - using Chrome browser

[bobbydown]

i have no trouble booking bell and they are fast to reply via email,

i only book on the outbound trip and walk up in bkk if we use the bus 

[Mr_John]

Can someone show you on a map, Where in pattaya you go on the bus when you are traveling from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi BKK

[izzyg]

Can someone show you on a map, Where in pattaya you go on the bus when you are traveling from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi BKK

Bell will use a minivan to pick you up at your hotel. Then you will be driven to the bus station on Pattaya North road where you will be transfered to a large bus and taken to Suvarnabhumi.

[Mr_John]

Bell will use a minivan to pick you up at your hotel. Then you will be driven to the bus station on Pattaya North road where you will be transfered to a large bus and taken to Suvarnabhumi.

Thank you

[Farmer1]

BKK to Pattaya day buses are  showing as fully booked for the next three months......never happened before?

 

EDIT: just found the other Bells bus comments here http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/287816-bell-travel-website-under-construction-anyone-used-the-service-in-recent-days/  and followed member casino club's suggestion and the site has taken payment and booked. 

Thanks casinoclub.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Farmer1

[Mr magoo]

I'm planning to book the 9:35 am flight BKK to MNL with cebupacific, and was gonna book the 6:00 am bell bus from Patts which I guess will get me to the airport around 8'ish. is this a realistic option ?

Previously I've relied on the 389 service, but their 1st departure would arrive too late for my flight.

 

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