There are direct buses from Swarnabhumi airport to Pattaya that reach you within 2 hours to 2.5 hours. The fare is 124 Baht for good air-conditioned bus. Bus number 389 (to Jomtien Beach) or 905 (to North Pattaya Bus Stand). The buses go to two places. Many of them to North Pattaya Bus Stand and few of them go to Jometien Beach Bus Stand. North Pattaya Bus Stand is best to reach most of the happening places and also to large number of choices of hotels, which are situated in Central Pattaya. As you have light travel bags with you, you can take Bhat taxis that charge uniform rate of Bhat 10 per person to get down at any point on the way. Ask the driver if the taxi is going to Beach Road, Dilphin roundabout, or 2nd Road in Central Pattaya.
(Note: There are plenty of hotels for budget traveler ranging from 400 Baht to 600 Baht with breakfast. Choose a hotel on the 2nd road as it is near the beach and near all the action.)
Swasdee Sunshine (560 fan, 650 ac), M.10 Soi 11, Pattaya 2 nd Rd . Pattaya city, Chonburi
Direct Line: +66 (0) 38 425-360 +66 (0) 38 425-360, Fax : +66 (0) 38 720-561
Swasdee Sabai (630 fan), 123 Sukhumvit 57, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110
Direct Line : +66 (0) 2 714-0703 +66 (0) 2 714-0703 , +66 (0) 2 726-9958 +66 (0) 2 726-9958
Fax : +66 (0) 2 714-0704
Swasdee Pattaya (700 ac), 3 67 M.10 Soi 13, Pattaya 2 Rd., Pattaya City
Direct Line: +66 (0) 38 720-563, +66 (0) 38 421 928
Fax : +66 (0) 38 720-268
Swasdee Sea View (800 ac), 02/1 M.10 Soi 10 Pattaya 2 Rd., Pattaya City Direct Line: +66 (0) 38 711-079, +66 (0) 38 710-566 Fax : +66 (0) 38 711-078
Following are the places worth visiting in Pattaya if you are traveling in budget.
Underwater World (Entry fee 450 Baht)
Mini Siam (Entry fee 300 Baht)
Koh Lam island
Walking Street
Pattaya Beach
Jometien Beach
Big Buddha
View Point
The Sanctuary of Truth (600 Baht and above depending on package)
Underwater World
This is a large aquarium containing lot of large and small fishes. Located on the Sukhemvit Road, can be accessed by Baht taxis easily. Take a taxi from Beach road or 2nd Pattaya road to Big C on Sukhemvit for 10 Baht. Cross the Sukhemvit road and reach the Opposite side of Big C store. From here you can get Baht Taxi to Underwater world. Keep looking out on the right side of road; you will not miss the big board “Underwater World”.
Entry fee to this is 450 Baht for adult. You will be photographed for free as soon as you enter. This is a gimmick. You will be asked to buy the photo when you reach to collect the free photo. Follow the arrows that will direct you to the various locations inside aquarium. You can easily consumer 2 hours inside the aquarium. You can buy a souvenir of dolphin here for 90 Bahts. These souvenirs are not available at other shops.
Mini Siam
Located on Sukhemvit road, can be reached by taking Baht taxi from 2nd road to Big C at Sukhamvit road. From Big C you can take another Baht taxi to Mini Siam which is opposite the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.