Tell me why Pattaya to BKK by bus

[georgegeorgia]

One of my interests is why people travel from Pattaya to Bangkok to save a pittance 

 

Again this morning in my Hotel I watched a retired couple from the USA complete with pushing their luggage bags order a Grab to take them to the North Pattaya bus station to go to Bangkok 

 

I actually heard him say to the reception would he have to order another Grab when he got to Bangkok to go to the hotel there or could they get the SkyTrain 

 

I'm thinking why? Why don't you just pay 1200 baht for a taxi car door to door ?

How much are you saving ,so let's look at it.

Grab probably 70-90  baht to bus station 

Bus to Bangkok 200 baht each ?

Then when they get to Bangkok another Grab -150-200 baht ?

So they saved 600 baht 

 

Please tell me if that's worth it and why do you travel by bus 

 

[johng]

8 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Please tell me if that's worth it and why do you travel by bus

 

The bus drivers (normally) actually know where they are going, hardly  ever brake down  or run out of fuel halfway along the way and tend not to drive like kamikaze pilots ,not the white mini bus drivers they are the worst kamikaze's talking here about the bigger busses  like those from

Roong Reung Coach Co .,Ltd in Jomtien 

143  baht to the Swammpypoom  unbeatable value

https://airportpattayabus.com/#

 

With Taxi they will often try to get you to pay the tolls  even though you thought they were included in the price already...sometimes its hard to fit all luggage in the boot  due to it being half full with a gas canister 

 

Skytain and underground are also good value  though having 3 different companies operating various lines  is a bit confusing with signage, ticketing

and having to use the "skywalker" to connect them..not ideal but still not too bad.

[Mike Teavee]

For almost 1 year I was going Bangkok twice per month (sometimes just for the day to go see my Dentist, others overnight see my mates), never had anything more than a rucksack with me so would take the bus & the roundtrip costs would be:-

1. 2 x 100B Bolt (approx. 25B tip in each of those) to/from Pattaya Nua Bus Station = 200B
2. 2 x 131B RR Bus (may have gone up now) = 262B
3. 2 x 70B (this is a guess, I just topped my cards up when they got low) for the BTS/MRT to Silom = 140B

Total = 602B

 

Taxi (Condo to Dentist) would probably be around 1,500B (You can get it on Bolt for around 1,250B + Tolls but you risk the driver not wanting to take you, Grab is more likely to take you but you're looking at around 1,700B) - add on + I00B Tip = 1,600B so a saving of 998B (x 4, I was doing 2 return trips per month) = 3,992B per month saving.

 

 

But I agree, if I were lumping luggage around with me I would choose the Taxi route

 

Edited October 18 by Mike Teavee

[scubascuba3]

i was always fine with coming and going by bus unless i had my golf clubs then it was too much hassle, with luggage a taxi makes more sense especially if 2 people

[J Branche]

The ride.  Stopped with the Taxis when I bounced half way from Bangkok to Pattaya.  Slower, have to wait, have to get Bolt but I am okay with that.

 

I've done Taxis when traveling from US.  

[wwest5829]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

One of my interests is why people travel from Pattaya to Bangkok to save a pittance 

 

Again this morning in my Hotel I watched a retired couple from the USA complete with pushing their luggage bags order a Grab to take them to the North Pattaya bus station to go to Bangkok 

 

I actually heard him say to the reception would he have to order another Grab when he got to Bangkok to go to the hotel there or could they get the SkyTrain 

 

I'm thinking why? Why don't you just pay 1200 baht for a taxi car door to door ?

How much are you saving ,so let's look at it.

Grab probably 70-90  baht to bus station 

Bus to Bangkok 200 baht each ?

Then when they get to Bangkok another Grab -150-200 baht ?

So they saved 600 baht 

 

Please tell me if that's worth it and why do you travel by bus 

 

Ah, fondly remember my first trip in 2009. I would just observe that it is a learning experience so I would think they thought that was the best way of doing things simply by not knowing the alternatives. I was quite lucky, found a driver with car near the hotel I was staying … reasonable cost and I was still working so I hired him to both take me around some in Bangkok and drive me to Pattaya. I have now been here 13+ years and am much more able to wheel and deal than during that first trip.

[Sydebolle]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

One of my interests is why people travel from Pattaya to Bangkok to save a pittance 

 

Again this morning in my Hotel I watched a retired couple from the USA complete with pushing their luggage bags order a Grab to take them to the North Pattaya bus station to go to Bangkok 

 

I actually heard him say to the reception would he have to order another Grab when he got to Bangkok to go to the hotel there or could they get the SkyTrain 

 

I'm thinking why? Why don't you just pay 1200 baht for a taxi car door to door ?

How much are you saving ,so let's look at it.

Grab probably 70-90  baht to bus station 

Bus to Bangkok 200 baht each ?

Then when they get to Bangkok another Grab -150-200 baht ?

So they saved 600 baht 

 

Please tell me if that's worth it and why do you travel by bus 

 

I am not quite clear where you are going with this.

Some people might save the proverbial dime as they might operate on tighter budgets, others can't deal with the cabbie lobby which is a guild of its own, some come from a background, where you take a taxi only if there is nothing each per available. If you have the time and are afraid that something might go wrong with a taxi, you're better off with the arguably more tedious way to get from A to B 😉 

[BigStar]

1200 may not include tolls; and depends where in BKK

 

ride own motorbike to station, park, B40

pay for 2 seats on bus (secret to happiness) 260

BTS to hotel B20

 

No contest. 🙂 

 

[chickenslegs]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I'm thinking why? Why don't you just pay 1200 baht for a taxi car door to door ?

How much are you saving ,so let's look at it.

Grab probably 70-90  baht to bus station 

Bus to Bangkok 200 baht each ?

Then when they get to Bangkok another Grab -150-200 baht ?

So they saved 600 baht 

In another of your topics you complain about the high price of flip-flops ($5 Australian).

 

The 600 baht they saved could buy 5 pairs.

 

[Bday Prang]

why would any normal person concern themselves with how others choose to travel,     Absolutely unbelievable . get a life

[Polaky]

2 hour ride with a comfortable raxi, door to door and they pay tolls, 1200 baht is cheap as chips, alternative cramp yourself into a bus ,wait until they are ready to depart, sit next to an overweight drunk, fear of catching a virus, it is a no brainer unless your a cheap Charlie, when I get back to my own country it costs just as much for a 20 minute ride.

[richard_smith237]

Its a valid point when considering bigger picture thinking...

 

a) 1500 baht taxi ride 

 

vs 

 

b) Grab + Bus  + Grab or BTS (+ hassle of baggage)... 

 

 

Are people who've flown half way around the world that hard up ???

The difference is 3 or 4 beers... 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

why would any normal person concern themselves with how others choose to travel,     Absolutely unbelievable . get a life

 

You don't believe in the study of Sociology then ? 

 

The manner in which people behave and reasons for doing things is often of interest to many ?

 

If being 100% honest with yourself have you never seen someone doing something and thought...'why' ???....  i.e. why do so many people get up while the plane is still taxiing etc...  (rhetorical example).

 

another example... .. why would someone post on a forum telling someone to get a life, thus concerning themselves with someone else's opinion, thus falling foul of their own 'get a life' comment...  hmmm...

 

 

[CallumWK]

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I'm thinking why? Why don't you just pay 1200 baht for a taxi car door to door ?

 

Coming from the same guy who just started a thread that he can't afford Thailand anymore, because even the 100 baht t-shirts are too expensive for him

[FruitPudding]

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

One of my interests is why people travel from Pattaya to Bangkok to save a pittance 

 

Again this morning in my Hotel I watched a retired couple from the USA complete with pushing their luggage bags order a Grab to take them to the North Pattaya bus station to go to Bangkok 

 

I actually heard him say to the reception would he have to order another Grab when he got to Bangkok to go to the hotel there or could they get the SkyTrain 

 

I'm thinking why? Why don't you just pay 1200 baht for a taxi car door to door ?

How much are you saving ,so let's look at it.

Grab probably 70-90  baht to bus station 

Bus to Bangkok 200 baht each ?

Then when they get to Bangkok another Grab -150-200 baht ?

So they saved 600 baht 

 

Please tell me if that's worth it and why do you travel by bus 

 

 

You could have saved an hour of your life not starting this thread. 

[impulse]

The OP is assuming the tourists know what taxis cost here in Thailand.  That same ride would probably cost upwards of $200 USD back home.   As far back as 20 years ago, I'd take a taxi from the airport (IAH) to town in Houston and it was about $150.  And that's nowhere near the distance from Patts to BKK.

 

I don't frequent Pattaya, but I take the bus from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok because of several white knuckle experiences I've had with kamikaze vans, private cars and taxis.  Takes longer, but I don't get the sense I may die at any minute.  If the schedule works out, I even take the train, though that takes even longer.  It just feels safer (and historic).  Has nothing to do with any cost difference.

 

Edited October 18 by impulse

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

You should mind your own business and stop listening in on other people's conversations, that's what the vast majority of us think about it.

[shackleton]

You pay what you can afford plus look at if it's inconvenient or not 

I personally prefer the luxury coach 

[steven100]

Your English needs attention ....   the headline is worded incorrectly. 

[georgegeorgia]

1 minute ago, steven100 said:

Your English needs attention ....   the headline is worded incorrectly. 

Thankyou 

Your complaint has been noted and filed appropriately 

[Bday Prang]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its a valid point when considering bigger picture thinking...

 

a) 1500 baht taxi ride 

 

vs 

 

b) Grab + Bus  + Grab or BTS (+ hassle of baggage)... 

 

 

Are people who've flown half way around the world that hard up ???

The difference is 3 or 4 beers... 

 

 

 

 

You don't believe in the study of Sociology then ? 

 

The manner in which people behave and reasons for doing things is often of interest to many ?

 

If being 100% honest with yourself have you never seen someone doing something and thought...'why' ???....  i.e. why do so many people get up while the plane is still taxiing etc...  (rhetorical example).

 

another example... .. why would someone post on a forum telling someone to get a life, thus concerning themselves with someone else's opinion, thus falling foul of their own 'get a life' comment...  hmmm...

 

 

I have often witnessed people doing the most incredibly stupid things and wondered, WTF ,we all have, but I don't get inspired to  start threads over it.  Not enough hours in the day for one thing.  

   But maybe you're right , I think I need to get out a bit more

[georgegeorgia]

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

I have often witnessed people doing the most incredibly stupid things and wondered, WTF ,we all have, but I don't get inspired to  start threads over it.  Not enough hours in the day for one thing.  

   But maybe you're right , I think I need to get out a bit more

You do need to get out more !

 

I have invited you to walk Jomtien to Pattaya with me on my Zimmer frame 

We could do it this weekend sweetheart if your interested 

[CanadaSam]

Taxi only makes sense if 2 or more people, and/or luggage.

[still kicking]

10 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

In another of your topics you complain about the high price of flip-flops ($5 Australian).

 

The 600 baht they saved could buy 5 pairs.

 

Or he could mop more floors 

[still kicking]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

You do need to get out more !

 

I have invited you to walk Jomtien to Pattaya with me on my Zimmer frame 

We could do it this weekend sweetheart if your interested 

I don't think you call a walking frame Zimmer frame in OZ 

[Patong2021]

14 hours ago, johng said:

 

The bus drivers (normally) actually know where they are going, hardly  ever brake down  or run out of fuel halfway along the way and tend not to drive like kamikaze pilots ,not the white mini bus drivers they are the worst kamikaze's talking here about the bigger busses  like those from

Roong Reung Coach Co .,Ltd in Jomtien 

143  baht to the Swammpypoom  unbeatable value

https://airportpattayabus.com/#

 

With Taxi they will often try to get you to pay the tolls  even though you thought they were included in the price already...sometimes its hard to fit all luggage in the boot  due to it being half full with a gas canister 

 

Skytain and underground are also good value  though having 3 different companies operating various lines  is a bit confusing with signage, ticketing

and having to use the "skywalker" to connect them..not ideal but still not too bad.

 

Your praise for the bus is laughable.  First off, if you want a  guaranteed seat,  the cost is  Fare 143 THB + Online Service Charge 25 THB for Total  168 THB PLUS the cost of the minibus to get to the hotel or common area where a taxi must be hailed. The minibus transfer driver drives like a lunatic. It is all part of the singular experience.

 

It is the same bus company to Hua Hin and I stopped using the bus years ago.  Rudeness and poor customer service.

 

[jacko45k]

22 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Bus to Bangkok 200 baht each ?

Isn't it about 130 or 135?

[Mike Teavee]

6 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Isn't it about 130 or 135?

For some reason I had it in the back of my mind that it had gone up to 164B but their website & online booking still has it at 131THB

 

https://pattayabus.com/

 

[bkk6060]

Cheap Charlies who get off and makes them feel good to save some baht.  

[SAFETY FIRST]

23 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

in my Hotel I watched a retired couple

A couple would have twice the fares for bus and train 

 

23 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

get the SkyTrain 

Double fare 

23 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Bus to Bangkok

Double fare 

 

 

If travelling as a couple it would make sense to get a taxi/Mr T or similar. 

 

I've never taken the bus when going to the airport, it's convenient for some. 

I prefer having a driver take me, can't beat door to door. 

 

 

 

Edited October 19 by SAFETY FIRST

[EVENKEEL]

It's the newbies whom are public transport fans. I remember the good ole days when I thought it was cool to ride buses and songtowhs. There are private car transport services which are better than taxis. 

 

I agree with George on this one. Not to say I haven't taken the BKK to Pattaya bus a few times. But then I found a dedicated driver service and buses are a thing of the past. Now taking a bus never crosses my mind.