Ok I decided to try the bus to Pattaya as I'm practising economising. I cannot find some of the answers as some information is old or has changed.

 

There are two regular services  and they both operate from Arrivals Level 1 between Gate 7 and Gate 8

 

BELL BUS / BELL TRAVEL SERVICES 240 BAHT TO YOUR HOTEL. http://www.belltravelservice.com/

Tickets available through their Website 

busses leave Suvarnabhumi @ 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 and 18:00

drop off at North Pattaya Bus station map then mini bus to hotel all included in 240 baht price.

NB if your flight is delayed and your booking is at least 90 minutes after your scheduled flight arrival time they will let you on the next bus.

 

Return  = pickup from hotel by mini bus @ 06:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 and 19:00 to North Pattaya Bus station then back to Airport direct.

 

AIRPORT PATTAYA 389 BUS TO PATTAYA (Roong Reuang Coach) @ 120 baht /// ETA 2 HOURS http://airportpattayabus.com/V2/

Tickets available at the counter near gate 8 .. Busses leave every hour on the hour from 07:00 to 22:00 

There are 3 drop offs :-

North Pattaya Intersection Opposite Bangkok Pattaya Hospital map

South Pattaya intersection Opposite Big C  map

Airport Bus 389 Office on Thrappaya Road map

Except for Busses leaving at 21:00 and 22:00 which go directly to Airport Bus 389 Office.

 

RETURN to Departures level 4 From Airport Bus 389 Office on Thrappaya Road every hour on the hour from 07:00 to 21:00 

Edited March 1, 20188 yr by f308gt
forgrt some details

Anyone know how easy it is to get from the 3 Airport bus stops to the beach and second road baht bus route?. and how much?

also can you buy tickets for bell bus in the airport, their website indicates no. But people on the internet say you can but for 300 baht. is this correct?

 

I have bought Bell tkts at aiport, but that was last yr and forgot what paid.  Would say their service much better than the other bus.

25 minutes ago, f308gt said:

Anyone know how easy it is to get from the 3 Airport bus stops to the beach and second road baht bus route?. and how much?

also can you buy tickets for bell bus in the airport, their website indicates no. But people on the internet say you can but for 300 baht. is this correct?

 

I’ve only used the Bell Bus and that because it’s super convenient and safe and inexpensive. My flights generally land between 5 and 6 in the morning. Leaves me enough time to get the first Bell Bus and in 240 Baht an experienced and dependable driver gets me to Pattaya in a pretty comfy vehicle (that even has a loo) before 10 am. Yes, Bell Bus can only be booked online. I’ve personally witnessed folks being shooed away when they try to bribe and get a ticket from the Bell Bus guy. If you’re arriving any time between 5 am and 4 pm I see absolutely no reason why would anyone want to pay for an extra 1000 Baht & get a Taxi. If you’re landing in other times or at DMK, then Taxi is a much better option. The other bus option is a pain I hear particularly if you’ve got more than a backpack. Traveling the roads of Pattaya with a luggage in tow is no fun.

Anyone know how easy it is to get from the 3 Airport bus stops to the beach and second road baht bus route?. and how much?
also can you buy tickets for bell bus in the airport, their website indicates no. But people on the internet say you can but for 300 baht. is this correct?
 

The easiest is to take the 389 to the last stop in Jomtien and walk to the corner and take a 10 baht bus that goes down Second Road.

Bell is great if the times works out for you, but they only leave every 2 hours.

BTW, at any of the 389 stops, there is usually a shared baht bus that will take you to your hotel for 50 baht which is pretty much the same as Bell which will split you up into minivans to take you to your hotel.

4 hours ago, Candy77 said:

I’ve only used the Bell Bus and that because it’s super convenient and safe and inexpensive. My flights generally land between 5 and 6 in the morning. Leaves me enough time to get the first Bell Bus and in 240 Baht an experienced and dependable driver gets me to Pattaya in a pretty comfy vehicle (that even has a loo) before 10 am. Yes, Bell Bus can only be booked online. I’ve personally witnessed folks being shooed away when they try to bribe and get a ticket from the Bell Bus guy. If you’re arriving any time between 5 am and 4 pm I see absolutely no reason why would anyone want to pay for an extra 1000 Baht & get a Taxi. If you’re landing in other times or at DMK, then Taxi is a much better option. The other bus option is a pain I hear particularly if you’ve got more than a backpack. Traveling the roads of Pattaya with a luggage in tow is no fun.

It is actually possible to buy a ticket at the airport,there is a bell bus counter on the arrival floor,just go left almost till end you will see it i bought a ticket there 2 months ago,300 baht .

Didnt know about that option,the guy working at the 389 counter recognized me and told me(the 389 bus was full).

 

 

Edited March 1, 20188 yr by buck011

1 hour ago, buck011 said:

It is actually possible to buy a ticket at the airport,there is a bell bus counter on the arrival floor,just go left almost till end you will see it i bought a ticket there 2 months ago,300 baht .

Didnt know about that option,the guy working at the 389 counter recognized me and told me(the 389 bus was full).

 

 

+1, yes, a Bell bus counter offering on the spot tickets from Suvarnabhumi. Airport to hotel service.

I've traveled to Pattaya with only a backpack more times that I'd care to admit (also, it was more of a duffel with a backpack function). And in that case, I go for the 389 bus. Seriously, it's a safe and nice bus, leaves often enough, and I can sleep the whole way. Once I get within Pattaya city limits, I just get a motosai to wherever I want to go.

6 hours ago, hioctane said:

The easiest is to take the 389 to the last stop in Jomtien and walk to the corner and take a 10 baht bus that goes down Second Road.

Bell is great if the times works out for you, but they only leave every 2 hours.

BTW, at any of the 389 stops, there is usually a shared baht bus that will take you to your hotel for 50 baht which is pretty much the same as Bell which will split you up into minivans to take you to your hotel.

What corner, Exactly? Sorry to be a pain but unless I know exactly what I'm doing I fuck things up big time. 

What corner, Exactly? Sorry to be a pain but unless I know exactly what I'm doing I fuck things up big time. 

You want the baht bus that goes north on Thappraya Road. Go to the corner and cross the soi to the other side that is going north. When you waive one down, just hop on the back and don't ask questions.

In July 2017 I travelled BellBus from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya; I had a suitcase. At Pattaya bus station I switched to the minibus to go to my hotel; when we arrived there, no suitcase. Driver phoned the office and told me to stay on the minibus. We did a big circuit to drop off other passengers and then another circuit to pick up passengers for a later bus to the airport.

Took over one hour. When at last we got to the bus station, there was my suitcase on the tarmac; it had been loaded into the wrong minibus.

"Will you drive me to my hotel now?" I requested. "You have to wait till the next time a minibus goes on circuit in about sixty minutes, " was the response.

I knew there was no point in arguing, so just took a songthaew, 200 bahts, to my hotel.

Moral: when you get into the minibus, check your baggage is all there too.

7 hours ago, buck011 said:

It is actually possible to buy a ticket at the airport,there is a bell bus counter on the arrival floor,just go left almost till end you will see it i bought a ticket there 2 months ago,300 baht .

Didnt know about that option,the guy working at the 389 counter recognized me and told me(the 389 bus was full).

 

 

Ok, if you say so. Than I suspect it’ll be a more recent change. July last year I do remember this guy saying “no tickets at Airport, only Internet”. I’d still prefer the online though because with so few seats and so much gap between two trips it’s too much a risk.

3 hours ago, Bonkabit said:

In July 2017 I travelled BellBus from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya; I had a suitcase. At Pattaya bus station I switched to the minibus to go to my hotel; when we arrived there, no suitcase. Driver phoned the office and told me to stay on the minibus. We did a big circuit to drop off other passengers and then another circuit to pick up passengers for a later bus to the airport.

Took over one hour. When at last we got to the bus station, there was my suitcase on the tarmac; it had been loaded into the wrong minibus.

"Will you drive me to my hotel now?" I requested. "You have to wait till the next time a minibus goes on circuit in about sixty minutes, " was the response.

I knew there was no point in arguing, so just took a songthaew, 200 bahts, to my hotel.

Moral: when you get into the minibus, check your baggage is all there too.

A case of bad luck I’d say. Every time I got into the minibus they offloaded my luggage from the big bus, asked me to identify its my luggage and loaded into the minibus cabin along with me. 

6 hours ago, boxershrimp said:

I've traveled to Pattaya with only a backpack more times that I'd care to admit (also, it was more of a duffel with a backpack function). And in that case, I go for the 389 bus. Seriously, it's a safe and nice bus, leaves often enough, and I can sleep the whole way. Once I get within Pattaya city limits, I just get a motosai to wherever I want to go.

Lucky you, wish I could do that too. My bad back and my spine injury makes it so hard. 

Nice info , thanks for posting

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

8 hours ago, buck011 said:

It is actually possible to buy a ticket at the airport,there is a bell bus counter on the arrival floor,just go left almost till end you will see it i bought a ticket there 2 months ago,300 baht .

Didnt know about that option,the guy working at the 389 counter recognized me and told me(the 389 bus was full).

 

 

From my experience yesterday, this is not the case. The Bell Bus counter on the second floor no longer exists and when I asked where is the Bell Bus is, I was told no more Bell Buss have to buy online. I was then directed downstairs to the 389 counter. It appears the 389 bus may now leaves more frequently for Pattaya than one an hour. 

From my experience yesterday, this is not the case. The Bell Bus counter on the second floor no longer exists and when I asked where is the Bell Bus is, I was told no more Bell Buss have to buy online. I was then directed downstairs to the 389 counter. It appears the 389 bus may now leaves more frequently for Pattaya than one an hour. 

Usually they add another bus if a bus is full so they can leave every half hour at times. I have never had to wait more than an hour. This gives me plenty of time to get money, get a SIM and get a bite to eat.

1 hour ago, hioctane said:

 

 

Usually they add another bus if a bus is full so they can leave every half hour at times. I have never had to wait more than an hour. This gives me plenty of time to get money, get a SIM and get a bite to eat.

 

In the last couple of years I've had to wait more than an hour several times so was pleasantly surprised when I got the last seat on the 14:00 bus. Oddly, after I got on at the last moment two other people got on. I think the ticket seller holds out some tickets for "tippers" and then sells the unbought tickets at the last minute to non-tippers, who feel themselves very lucky. 

Edited March 2, 20188 yr by likeaking

On 01/03/2018 at 15:06, f308gt said:

Anyone know how easy it is to get from the 3 Airport bus stops to the beach and second road baht bus route?. and how much?

also can you buy tickets for bell bus in the airport, their website indicates no. But people on the internet say you can but for 300 baht. is this correct?

 

Motor taxi has cost me 80 - 100 bht to get to lenkee/Diana, have used the bus a few times.

Last year I was down to the level where the 389 bus leaves for Pattaya at about 14.45 pm. The sign said next bus to Pattaya 17.30 pm. I said "sod this" no way I'm waiting nearly 3 hours so had a word with the Bells reps in the chairs across from the 389 stand. They told me they could not sell tickets it had to be online. However they told me to go upstairs and purchase a ticket from one of the travel seller stands at arrivals. I paid 300 Baht and purchased the ticket at 15.30 pm was on the 16.00 pm bus which got me to my hotel in less than 2 hours. I considered this money well spent. 

The problem with North Pattaya bus station is IMO especially later in the evening after 10 pm the Baht bus and motor bike taxi's become aggressive scammers. I consider a motor bike taxi to Soi Buakhao and many other destinations costing 100 Baht a rip off. Just go across the road from North Pattaya bus station to Makro. There is a motor bike taxi stand with all fares and destinations around Pattaya with prices clearly given. To Big C Pattaya Klang my stop 40 Baht. So why are these scamming bastards at the bus station trying to charge me 100 Baht? Soi Buakhao price 60-70 Baht. Same with the Baht bus. Thai pay 10 Baht Falang will pay 50-100 Baht down to the beach.

20 hours ago, likeaking said:

From my experience yesterday, this is not the case. The Bell Bus counter on the second floor no longer exists and when I asked where is the Bell Bus is, I was told no more Bell Buss have to buy online. I was then directed downstairs to the 389 counter. It appears the 389 bus may now leaves more frequently for Pattaya than one an hour. 

Not so sure you asked the right counter. Read my post 561 here:

Or you could book your ticket by your phone when you arrive.

 

12 minutes ago, matrix123 said:

Not so sure you asked the right counter. Read my post 561 here:

I asked at the correct counter. I used to go to the Bell Tours counter on the second floor far to the left when the when the wait for a 389 bus was more than an hour. As I neared that area last Thursday, March 1, 2018, a couple of agents in nearby booths asked what I was looking for. Apparently I wasn't the only person looking for the Bell Tours counter. Both agents said the same thing, "No more Bell Bus, have to buy online.". I thanked then but said I'd still look for the counter anyway. It isn't there. So down I went to the 389 counter and got a bus in 20 minutes. 

When did the 389 counter start weighing bags? A guy lifts it and then they use a portable luggage weigher and tacks on a surcharge.

Also, I got on this bus that only stopped at North Pattaya bus station. 2x1 configuration. The seats were extra wide and like recliners. You could it recline it almost like a flatbed and it had a leg rest. This was luxury! Sadly, the next time I got the regular 2x2 bus. Anyone know how to specifically get that bus?

Last week I went to the airport at 6:40pm and there was a sign next 389 bus at 8pm. I went to the counter to buy a ticket and had the last ticket for 7pm bus for no extra "tipping". Also they had a new system in place as they asked if nobody will want to get out on Naklua stop. Nobody wanted, so they skipped that pain in the ass 2 time u-turn and went ahead for Pattaya Klang stop instead. Some progress...

After 4 months of fucking around in SEA, I'm finally going home tomorrow.

My flight from BKK is at 18:40pm. I want to get the 389 bus from Thappraya Road, which leaves hourly, on the hour.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the bus to get into BKK? The website says 3 hours which seems a long time.

I was thinking of getting the 2pm bus, which would just about be ok, if the journey did indeed take 3 hours (meaning I'd be at BKK at 5pm, which is 1hr40mins before my flight).

But if the 2pm bus is fully booked, and I have to wait for the 3pm, and the journey then takes 3 hours, I'm screwed.

I should probably go get a ticket now for tomorrow's 2pm bus for the avoidance of doubt but I can't be arsed. So I'm even thinking of getting the 1pm bus, just to cover all the bases.

Help..I'm hungover and my head is hurting and can't work it out!

Please no suggestions of 'get a taxi' as I won't be. I have the time to get the bus so intend to...