1 hour to catch Bell Bus at Swampy

[iluvasians/latins]

In a few weeks, when I land at the Swampy at 6:55am, do I have enough time to get through immigration, exchange a little cash, grab my bag, and catch Bell Bus at 8:00am? Never taken bus, but price is very right. Am I cutting it too close? I know the 10:00am is next. If I had to wait for the 10:00am bus, knowing me, I would hire a taxi and get on down the road to "Happiness." Any thoughts?

[Bagel]

I'd say yes it's certainly possible.

 

You wont have a lot of time to waste though so make sure you know where the bus is leaving from and how to get there.

[7-Eleven]

Stacks of time.... I believe there is another bus run by another company that runs in between the Bell Bus departures... I'm sure someone will provide the name.

[hotdogs]

Depending on immagration you should make it. After you come through and out to where all the touts are you need to go down 1 level and to the left. If you don't make it I would suggest wait for the 10am bus. Bus is safer than taxi and if you get a taxi at 8.30 am you will be in Pattaya at 10am and there is fuck all open at that time of day.

[Schubser]

I landed yesterday at 1:15 pm, went through immigration and baggage claim and additionally had to pick up some luggage at the "left luggage" counter at the departure level. I got to the bell bus sign at 1:50 pm. Should work.

[Mike Asia]

go ahead and book on the website and if you don't make it nothing is lost.

[PawYai]

I'd book both just on case... When you land try beat the queues to immigration get your bags change 1 or 2 k baht out the doors down the escalator book in with bell bus then grab a bottle of water/ redbull in 7/11 just outside the doors that will wake you up ready for some afternoon fun in Patts.. Bell bus is a great system just don't be polite like me letting certain races push onto the bus and end up crammed on back seat behind 2 very large Russian lezzers ! It was hell

[crossfield]

Perfect timing for mine, you should have 20minutes to spare( just make sure when you are going though immigration you are in a queue that has 2 immigration prosessing officers working the queue and not just 1 ..trap for new players)

[david555]

Other bus service To pattaya

Stacks of time.... I believe there is another bus run by another company that runs in between the Bell Bus departures... I'm sure someone will provide the name.

[iluvasians/latins]

Thanks for info!!

[bpauly]

You will easily make it,the bus never leaves on time anyway as it waits for any more customers if bus not full. If you book for 10 a.m. bus and make it in time for 8 a.m. bus,just tell them and they will put you on the earlier one.

Excellent service,switch to minibus at Bell terminal in Patts and they drop you off at your hotel.

No point in getting taxi as you would be too early to check in anyway.

[marko456]

In 3 trips I got to Swampy about 11:15 and made the Bell bus each time, usually with just a few minutes to spare though. Cutting it a bit close, but all was well.

On the web site it says just let them know ( level one between #7 and #8) if you miss the 8am bus just take the 10am one.

 

Good Luck !

[momomo]

Book the 8:00 BellBus. This early in the morning it's usually not that busy at immigration so you should make it even if you have hold luggage to collect. If you miss it, just use the 9:00 bus (link above). Same location as BellBus meeting point and no pre-bookings.

[Guiness]

if you are lucky you will get a chance to get a quick bite in the restaurant near where the Q forms for the bus to patts.

 

 

 

firstly book your place on the bus , leave your luggage with the bus people and indicate that you are going to the restaurant

 

 

 

 

just remember to buy 150 baht credit , buy and consume at the tables , and when you are finished cash in your remaining credit and you will have enough time to hop on the bus !

 

 

 

if time is tight the bus people will get you!

 

load luggage, hop on and pay as appropriate!

[Highlander]

I agree with the consensus, you should be through immigration quicker than 45 minutes, plus you bags will be on the conveyor quite quick.

 

i'd chance it for sure

[BostonSteve]

1st trip I was through in 30 minutes. Last trip I landed same time you are and it took well over an hour.

 

I think that time in the AM is busier than most other times.

 

I hope you have no issues.

[iluvasians/latins]

I walk fast and use the "people walker" when available.

[beejoy]

i will say 40 mins is usual and safe in general (given 30 mins for clearance of immigration and 10 mins for pick up luggage and proceed to the gate 7).

 

I had once stuck in the queue in front of immigration, where the time quickly runs to close departure time of bell bus. I just gave them a call telling them i'm still in the queue and expect another 10 mins to clear, and they said can wait me if i was a bit late. Eventually when i reach the bus, the other passengers were still boarding. hehehehe, so its just nice.

 

Bring along their phone number with you just in case.

Edited January 13, 2011 by beejoy

[Wardrobe]

Bring along their phone number with you just in case.

This is excellent advice. I have chanced it a few times and always got away with it. On one occasion it was really touch and go, basically I was slightly late, but I rang them as I dashed through customs and they held the bus about three minutes. Don't think they'd do it for ten minutes each time though, good for you on that occasion beejoy, but we were off pretty smartish when I arrived just 3 minutes late.

Edited January 17, 2011 by Wardrobe

[beejoy]

yes Wardrobe, i was lucky that time, by all passengers board completely, its about 10 mins apart from scheduled departure time. The bus eventuay left airport 15 mins after scheduled departure time. It took 1 hrs 35 mins to reach Noorth-PTY bus station. another 20 mins in mini Vans, till we got into hotel lobby.

 

Overall, I rated Bells Bus Service as excellent and highly recommend to everyone, as long flight time is fit.

[pattaya bound]

Another tip is when your booking your seat. Sit as far forward as you can in the cabin. Better to have 200+ people behind you then in front if its full. Hope as well that a bunch more flight have not arrived at the same time.

 

Back in Oct I had it when Imigration was so full in the main area that they sent us down to the Fast Track area. Blew thru that in mins while everyone else was still lined up.

[praf974]

also when you join the immigration queue .. watch how fast the desk person is processing people some of them will only process one person while the guy next to him does 3, dont think twice about switching queues if your in a hurry!

[Wardrobe]

Also make sure you're in a queue with two people working at those double desks. Beats me that some people stand in the same length queue which is moving half as fast because there is only one person on. And yes definitely don't think twice about swapping queues, especially if a new desk opens which seems to happen quite often. Stay alert and get in there quick!