Pattaya Day Trips — Ko Larn, Sattahip Beaches, Khao Kheow Zoo & Bangkok 2026

Q: How do I get to Ko Larn from Pattaya, and what does the boat cost?

Boats to Ko Larn leave from Bali Hai pier at the end of Walking Street. There are two options — a large wooden ferry costing about ฿30 one way and taking around 45 minutes, running on a timetable (check the first and last departures before you go), landing at either Na Ban or Tawaen Beach on the island; or a private speedboat or tour, faster at about 15 minutes but much pricier. You can book a Ko Larn tour with boat and activities included on Klook if you'd rather not arrange the boat yourself. See our full Ko Larn guide for more. It's an easy day return.

Q: Can I do the trips around Pattaya without a car?

Some of them, but be aware that Pattaya has no metro or city train. The main way around town is the blue baht bus (songthaew, running the beach–Central Pattaya–Jomtien loop for about ฿10–30), the motorbike taxi, and Grab (which works but has fewer cars than Bangkok). Ko Larn you simply reach by boat. But Khao Kheow Zoo, Sattahip, Bang Saray and Silverlake all sit off the baht-bus loop, so you'll need to charter a car, take a Grab, or rent a car or scooter and drive yourself (carry a licence, wear a helmet). Bangkok has direct vans and buses and is the easiest of all. See our full getting-around-Pattaya guide.

Q: Is a day trip from Pattaya to Bangkok doable, and how do I get there?

Yes. Bangkok is about 150 km from Pattaya, roughly a 2-hour drive off peak. The easiest way is a van or bus from Pattaya bus terminal (North or Central) to Ekkamai, Mo Chit or the new Southern terminal, for about ฿120–150, with frequent departures all day. A chartered taxi or private car is around ฿1,500–2,000. You can leave in the morning and be back by evening to see a temple, a market or a mall, but if you want to do Bangkok properly, one or two nights is far better value, as there's a lot to see. See our Bangkok day-trips page for ideas.

Q: Who is Khao Kheow Open Zoo for, and what does it cost?

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is in Si Racha district, about 40 minutes by road from Pattaya. It's a very large, shady open-range zoo where the animals live in wide enclosures that feel close to natural, with zones to feed the giraffes and hippos and an evening Night Safari. It's especially good for families with kids. Allow half a day to most of a day, as the grounds are large; you can walk or ride the in-park tram. Adult entry is around ฿200–300, less for children (check the current price before you go, as it varies). The sun is strong inside, so bring a hat, water and sunscreen.

Q: Can I combine Silverlake Vineyard with Khao Chi Chan?

Yes, and it's a good pairing as the two are very close. Silverlake Vineyard sits at the foot of Khao Chi Chan, south of Pattaya, about 30 minutes by road. It's a wide vineyard with seasonal flower fields (sunflowers, cosmos), restaurants and cafés overlooking the rows; walking and photos are free, and you only pay for food, wine or activities. A few minutes away is Khao Chi Chan (the Buddha Mountain), a cliff carved with Thailand's largest laser-etched image of the Buddha, free to visit. The two make an easy half-day, and with a car you can add Bang Saray to round out the day.

6 day trips and excursions

Ordered from nearest — out to see the real thing

Sorted from closest to furthest, with an honest note on which is half a day, a full day, which you reach by boat, and which need a car.

Ko Larn (Coral Island)

Clear-water island off Pattaya · ferry ~45 min · ฿30 each way

If you only make one trip off the city beach, make it this one. Ko Larn is a small island off Pattaya Bay with much clearer water and whiter sand than the city beach — it's commonly called Coral Island. The wooden ferry from Bali Hai pier (at the end of Walking Street) takes about 45 minutes.

The island has several beaches to choose from — Tawaen, the main beach, is the busy one with a full set of watersports; Samae is quieter; and Nual is small and calm. You can swim, snorkel and eat seafood by the sand all day. Be honest about the touts: plenty of people sell jet-ski and parasailing rides along the beach, so agree the price clearly before you start and watch for added charges. Take the earliest ferry to catch the island while it's still quiet and the light is good. For more, read our full Ko Larn guide.

Getting there: Baht bus/Grab to Bali Hai pier, then a ~45-min wooden ferry across · a private speedboat is faster (~15 min) but much pricier

Boat fare: Ferry ~฿30 each way · songthaew between beaches on the island ~฿20–40 · watersports cost extra

Time needed: Half a day to a full day (the more you swim, the better the value)

Tip: Check the last return ferry before you go · book a Ko Larn tour with boat and activities on Klook if you'd rather not arrange the boat

Best time: The dry season (Nov–Mar), when the sea is clearest and calmest for swimming · in the rainy season (May–Oct) the water can turn murky after rain and some days are rough — if the swell is up, ferries may not run, so check the forecast

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Bang Saray

Quiet fishing village to the south · seafood by the water · ~30–40 min by road

Tired of the bustle and craving seafood quietly by the water? Bang Saray is the answer — a small fishing village south of Jomtien, about 30–40 minutes by road. It still feels like a real fishing town, with boats moored in the bay, a fishing jetty reaching out over the sea, and a row of waterfront seafood restaurants.

People come to Bang Saray mainly to eat fresh, reasonably priced seafood — the prawns, crab, fish and shellfish that came off the boats that day — sitting over a calm sea view with none of the city's noise. It's on the same road as Silverlake and Khao Chi Chan, so you can do all three in a day. To be honest, this one suits travellers who want a break from the crowds rather than those after lots to do. Pick a restaurant that's busy and lists clear prices, so you get fresh seafood without being overcharged.

Getting there: ~30–40 min by car/Grab/charter from Pattaya (south through Jomtien and Na Jomtien) · no direct baht bus, so you'll need a car or charter

Cost: Walking the beach and jetty is free · you only pay for the seafood (by weight/menu)

Time needed: Half a day (a lunch or dinner plus a wander)

Tip: Pairs with Silverlake and Khao Chi Chan (same road) · for more spots see our Pattaya seafood guide

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Sattahip / Sea You beaches

Quiet, clean navy-town beaches · south of Pattaya · ~40 min–1 hr by road

Want a beach that's quieter and clearer than Pattaya's city beach? Head south towards Sattahip. This is a Royal Thai Navy area, which is why many of its beaches stay clean and far less crowded; it's about 40 minutes to an hour by road from Pattaya.

The popular spots include Sea You / Sea Sand Sun beach (around Na Jomtien–Sattahip), with relaxed waterfront cafés and restaurants, Nam Sai beach, and several small beaches inside the navy zone (some open to the public at certain times — check before you go). It suits anyone who wants to lie on a quiet beach, take photos and feel the sea breeze rather than chase a buzz. Be honest: you really need a car here, as the beaches are spread out and there's no direct baht bus. Some navy-zone beaches have dress rules or set opening hours, so read the signs and rules on the spot.

Getting there: ~40 min–1 hr by car/Grab/charter from Pattaya (south via Jomtien–Na Jomtien–Sattahip) · you need a car; no direct baht bus

Cost: Most public beaches are free · some beaches/cafés charge a small parking or entry fee

Time needed: Half a day to a full day

Tip: Check whether your chosen beach is a navy zone or open to all · combine with Bang Saray and Silverlake in one day

Best time: Nov–Mar, when the sea is clear and the weather cool for a beach day · in the rainy season the water can be murky and some days bring swell

Khao Kheow Open Zoo

Large open-range zoo · Si Racha district · ~40 min by road

Travelling with kids? Khao Kheow Open Zoo is a trip children love — a very large open-range zoo in Si Racha district, about 40 minutes by road from Pattaya. The grounds are shady forested hills, and the animals live in wide enclosures that feel far closer to natural than a typical city zoo.

The highlights are the up-close feeding zones for giraffes, hippos and rhinos, plus many other animal areas, a tram that loops the park, and an evening Night Safari. Be honest about the scale: the grounds are big, so allow half a day to most of a day, and the sun inside is strong — bring a hat, water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. It's especially good for families and animal lovers.

Getting there: ~40 min by car/Grab/charter from Pattaya (via Si Racha–Bang Phra) · you need a car; no direct baht bus

Entry: Adults ~฿200–300 · less for children · check the current price before you go, as it varies

Time needed: Half a day to most of a day (large grounds)

Tip: Go early to dodge the midday sun · if you want the Night Safari, check its times and opening hours first

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Silverlake Vineyard

Vineyard and flower fields · below Khao Chi Chan · ~30 min by road

Want a pretty photo trip close to Pattaya? Silverlake Vineyard sits at the foot of Khao Chi Chan, south of Pattaya, about 30 minutes by road. It's a wide vineyard with seasonal flower fields (sunflowers, cosmos) between the rows of vines, with restaurants and cafés overlooking the grounds. Walking and photos are free; you only pay for food, wine or activities like the tram tour or a bike.

A few minutes from Silverlake is Khao Chi Chan (the Buddha Mountain), a mountain carved with Thailand's largest laser-etched image of the Buddha on the cliff face, free to visit, with wide, calm views. The two make an easy half-day together, and with a car you can string Silverlake, Khao Chi Chan and Bang Saray into a single day. It suits photographers, couples and families.

Getting there: ~30 min by car/Grab/charter from Pattaya (south near Na Jomtien–Khao Chi Chan) · you need a car; no direct baht bus

Cost: Entry and walking for photos are free · you pay only for food, wine, the tram or a bike · Khao Chi Chan is free

Time needed: Half a day (vineyard plus Khao Chi Chan)

Tip: The flower fields bloom seasonally — check what's in bloom before you go · combine with Bang Saray

Best time: The cool season (Nov–Feb), when the weather is pleasant and the flower fields tend to bloom well · go in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is softer for photos

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Bangkok

The capital · van/bus ~2 hr · temples, palaces, markets, malls

If you fancy swapping the sea for a big city, Bangkok is only about 150 km from Pattaya, a roughly 2-hour drive. It's a day trip plenty of people make — and Bangkok residents come down to Pattaya the same way.

The easiest way is a van or bus from Pattaya bus terminal to Ekkamai, Mo Chit or the new Southern terminal, for about ฿120–150, with frequent departures all day. In Bangkok you can see the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, browse a market, shop the big malls, or just eat street food. Be honest about the timing: a day return lets you cover one or two spots, but if you want to do Bangkok properly, one or two nights is far better value, as there's plenty to see. For ideas, see our Bangkok day-trips page and our Bangkok travel guide.

Getting there: Van/bus from Pattaya bus terminal (North/Central) → Ekkamai/Mo Chit/new Southern terminal ~2 hr · or a chartered taxi/private car ~฿1,500–2,000

Fare: Van/bus ~฿120–150 each way · frequent all day

Time needed: A full day (a day return is doable but allow for traffic) · or stay 1–2 nights for a full visit

Tip: Leave early to beat the inbound traffic · head back before the evening to dodge the rush out of Bangkok

Before you go

What to know before you leave the hotel

Match your transport to the destination — Pattaya has no metro or city train. Around town you use the blue baht bus (it loops the beach–Central Pattaya–Jomtien for about ฿10–30: flag it down, press the buzzer to get off, and only tell the driver if you're going off-route, agreeing the price first). Ko Larn you reach by boat from Bali Hai pier. But Sattahip, Bang Saray, Khao Kheow Zoo and Silverlake sit off the baht-bus loop, so you'll need to charter a car, take a Grab, or rent a car or scooter and drive yourself (carry an international licence, wear a helmet, ride carefully). Bangkok has direct vans and buses and is the easiest of all.

Budget plenty of travel time: the out-of-town trips to the south (Bang Saray, Sattahip, Silverlake) are all within about 30–60 minutes and sit on the same road, so you can combine them in a day. For Ko Larn, allow for the ferry timetable both ways, and Bangkok is a long day at about 2 hours each way, so start early and avoid the rush hours. During long weekends and the high season (Nov–Feb), when Thais and foreign visitors pour into Pattaya, cars, boats and hotels fill up — book your stay ahead. See our 10 best Pattaya hotels.

Season and safety: Pattaya is on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast, best from Nov to Mar (dry, calm sea), hot in Apr–May and rainy from May to Oct (afternoon showers rather than all-day rain, with murkier water after rain). On sea trips like Ko Larn, ferries may not run if the swell is up, so check the forecast. Along the beaches, people sell watersports — always agree the price clearly before you start. For the further trips like Ko Larn or Bangkok, if you'd rather not change vehicles several times, a tour with door-to-door transfers is far more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ · Day trips from Pattaya

Which is the best day trip from Pattaya?

If it's your first time in Pattaya and you want clearer water than the city beach, Ko Larn (Coral Island) is the best call — it's a 45-minute ferry from Bali Hai pier (about ฿30 one way) with white sand, clear water and swimming all day. If you'd rather escape the bustle and eat seafood quietly by the sea, Bang Saray to the south is about 30–40 minutes by road. And if you're travelling with kids, Khao Kheow Open Zoo, about 40 minutes away, is a big, shady open-range zoo. With a car or a rental, you can string Sattahip, Bang Saray and Silverlake together in a single day, as they sit on the same route.

How do I get to Ko Larn from Pattaya, and what does the boat cost?

Boats to Ko Larn leave from Bali Hai pier at the end of Walking Street. There are two options — a large wooden ferry costing about ฿30 one way and taking around 45 minutes, running on a timetable (check the first and last departures before you go), landing at either Na Ban or Tawaen Beach on the island; or a private speedboat or tour, faster at about 15 minutes but much pricier. You can book a Ko Larn tour with boat and activities included on Klook if you'd rather not arrange the boat yourself. See our full Ko Larn guide for more. It's an easy day return.

Can I do the trips around Pattaya without a car?

Some of them, but be aware that Pattaya has no metro or city train. The main way around town is the blue baht bus (songthaew, running the beach–Central Pattaya–Jomtien loop for about ฿10–30), the motorbike taxi, and Grab (which works but has fewer cars than Bangkok). Ko Larn you simply reach by boat. But Khao Kheow Zoo, Sattahip, Bang Saray and Silverlake all sit off the baht-bus loop, so you'll need to charter a car, take a Grab, or rent a car or scooter and drive yourself (carry a licence, wear a helmet). Bangkok has direct vans and buses and is the easiest of all. See our full getting-around-Pattaya guide.

Is a day trip from Pattaya to Bangkok doable, and how do I get there?

Yes. Bangkok is about 150 km from Pattaya, roughly a 2-hour drive off peak. The easiest way is a van or bus from Pattaya bus terminal (North or Central) to Ekkamai, Mo Chit or the new Southern terminal, for about ฿120–150, with frequent departures all day. A chartered taxi or private car is around ฿1,500–2,000. You can leave in the morning and be back by evening to see a temple, a market or a mall, but if you want to do Bangkok properly, one or two nights is far better value, as there's a lot to see. See our Bangkok day-trips page for ideas.

Who is Khao Kheow Open Zoo for, and what does it cost?

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is in Si Racha district, about 40 minutes by road from Pattaya. It's a very large, shady open-range zoo where the animals live in wide enclosures that feel close to natural, with zones to feed the giraffes and hippos and an evening Night Safari. It's especially good for families with kids. Allow half a day to most of a day, as the grounds are large; you can walk or ride the in-park tram. Adult entry is around ฿200–300, less for children (check the current price before you go, as it varies). The sun is strong inside, so bring a hat, water and sunscreen.

Can I combine Silverlake Vineyard with Khao Chi Chan?

Yes, and it's a good pairing as the two are very close. Silverlake Vineyard sits at the foot of Khao Chi Chan, south of Pattaya, about 30 minutes by road. It's a wide vineyard with seasonal flower fields (sunflowers, cosmos), restaurants and cafés overlooking the rows; walking and photos are free, and you only pay for food, wine or activities. A few minutes away is Khao Chi Chan (the Buddha Mountain), a cliff carved with Thailand's largest laser-etched image of the Buddha, free to visit. The two make an easy half-day, and with a car you can add Bang Saray to round out the day.

Pattaya travel guide

Where to stay, what to see — Pattaya & Jomtien beaches · Ko Larn · Sanctuary of Truth · getting around

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Things to do in Pattaya

Pattaya, Jomtien & Wong Amat beaches · Ko Larn · Sanctuary of Truth · Nong Nooch · Walking Street

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Ko Larn, in full

Coral Island off Pattaya · ferry/speedboat · Tawaen, Samae & Nual beaches · how to get there + fares

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Pattaya seafood

Naklua, Jomtien and Bang Saray · picking by weight · the best spots — eating fresh without getting fleeced

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