This was originally posted by I_am_Sancho on December 24, 2006 - 5:20 am in the Asia chat area.

I think LAG mentioned a dicuss topic and I agree.

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For future reference, here is how the AC bus works from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya. Immediatly outside of customs at the curb is the well marked sign for "shuttle busses". Right next to the limosene sign. Board the "express" shuttle bus, it's free, they come "often". Ride to the "transportation center" about 5 minutes away. It's the big bus station. There are two ticket windows listing Pattaya. One says 8:00am 11:00am 3:00pm and 7:00pm. That is the only one I can comment on. The other window says 9:00am, 1:00pm, and 5:00pm. Not sure why two windows, it's not as clear as one is express and one is not, but I can only comment on the first one. Buy ticket. 108 baht. Board bus, it is perfectly obvious where. Bay "1" Pattaya. Typical Thai Airconditioned bus. left on schedule, took the toolway, took a direct route and pulled into Pattaya bus station exactly 90 minutes after it pulled out of Suvarnabhumi bus station. Sangtow down beach road to hotel for 20 baht. Net total cost Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya hotel. 128 Baht. If the schedule fits it is a very good way to go.

Is there any new information on these bus routes, like cost, frequency ot trips, location in airport and in Pattaya? I have heard that once in Pattaya, you can take a mini bus directly to the hotel you are staying at, true? Is there a website I can get the latest updates? Thanks.

There is a much better thread here.
https://www.clubhombre.com/discus/messages/1365/78804.html?1206805371
There are two options. the go to the transport center and take the public bus or the "Bell Travel" option.. The "Bell Travel" option is better if the schedule fits since it includes transfer by mini bus to your hotel and leaves from the lower level of the airport.

Thanks Sancho....one last question, can you buy your bus ticket and still get a seat at the airport? Or do I need to reserve my seat in advance? I saw on another forum that a guy emailed Bell and got a seat confirmation email back, making sure he had a seat. Just wondering if the buses get that full or if I can go ahead and just buy my ticket there with no worries.

Previously the Bell Travel buses were never very full from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya. Probably because it is so damn hard to find the lady who sells the tickets. However a couple of months ago it was sold out when I arrived to go from Pattaya TO Suvarnabhumi. Somehow they unceremoniously kicked a Thai woman off the bus and gave me her seat so I still got on but I'm not sure how all that took place. I assume they compensated the Thai woman somehow. Anyway, I would say it is 'probably' unnecessary to get a seat confirmation in advance but it couldn't hurt either.