I paid 1300 baht, approximately $30 US, to go direct from Nana Hotel, Bangkok to Flipper Lodge, Pattaya using Nana Limo Service in front of the Nana Hotel. Limo Service just means black car.

I originally was going to go in metered taxi which quoted me 1500 baht, then came down to 1300, but Chaueffer talked me out of it and into using his service for same price.

According to Chaeuffer, Thai man in regular clothes, Nana Limo service is much better than metered taxi because they speak better English (true), are insured (believable), and more trustworthy (probably true). There is no accounting for metered taxi, they can disappear. You can go to Nana Hotel if you have problems with Limo service.

Travel time was barely over 2 hours on Saturday afternoon with moderate traffic out of Bangkok. Ride was smooth and driver friendly with mild chat at first then suggesting pillow for rest.

Nana Hotel also offers minibus service from Bangkok to Pattaya for 800 baht, about $19 US. Ride time is supposedly 3 hours due to multiple stops for pickup.

You can also add a little adventure and catch the bus to Pattaya at the eastern bus terminal. It costs about 75 baht and takes about 2 hours as well. I did this a couple of years ago and sat next to sweet Thai girl who I went out to dinner and drinking with that evening.

Can't be beat

Jceez,

What did you think of that toll road? Pretty nice. I think it's amazing how huge it is. Must be 100 feet in the air. I did get a chuckle when we had to exit off, then get back on about a 1/4 mile later. The driver (I used a service thru the Majestic Suites) told me that the Thais started the toll road at opposite ends and when they met they were about 10 feet off! ... (prog)

Where exactly is eastern bus terminal?

Definitely a lot of work put into that road, it's nice. BTW, forgot to mention I paid extra 40 baht for toll.

Sometimes the toll charges are covered, sometimes they're not. If you don't ask you may get charged. No big deal - it's only a few Baht... (Prog)

Jceez -

Eastern bus terminal is also known as Ekkamai bus terminal. It's located at Sukhumvit Road and Soi Ekkamai or Soi Sukhumvit 63. If you're curious about it, you can take the Skytrain to the Ekkamai station. The bus terminal is located next to it. From this terminal, buses depart to various cities in Thailand. It cost 90 baht for the ticket to Pattaya. You get a RESERVED seat on an a clean, air conditioned Mercedes bus. Signs are posted in English so it's nearly impossible to get lost or confused. I've traveled to Pattaya in a taxi and a mini-van and I felt the safest in the bus from Ekkamai. Riding the bus was also more interesting since you ride higher up so you get a better view of the scenery.

Yujin-
I have seen conflicting reports of the time tables for these buses. They all seem to agree that they run every 30 minutes or so, but some say thet run until 10PM, or midnight or 2AM. Any ideas on the real schedule? Also what is the best way to get to the Eastern bus terminal from the airport? Thanks.