The airport in Pattaya is called Utapao, or Uthapao, and is located 29 kilometers from the center. This airport is international and connects the city with Bangkok and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui - the main resort areas of Thailand. In addition, there are regular charter flights to Utapao Airport from other countries.
The road to the airport
You can get to the "air gate" of Pattaya city by songthaew - a kind of local fixed-route taxi that follows in the direction of the airport along the southern highway, or use the services of a motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk.
The most reliable, comfortable and simple option to get to the airport in Pattaya will be the transfer service, which is provided by the airport itself. A minibus picks up from anywhere in the city and delivers to the airport in half an hour. The cost of this service is only eight dollars or 250 baht.
Services and shops
The airport in Pattaya is located next to one of the military bases in Thailand and its main importance is still the transportation of military cargo. That is why the level of service, as well as the capacity of the terminal, is low. Long lines line up at the check-in counter before boarding. You should remember this and arrive at the airport a little in advance so as not to worry and be in time for everything.
The passenger terminal of Utapao Airport has a post office and pharmacy, travel agency counters where you can book a hotel room or book a tour. There is also a number of duty-free shops, a jewelry store and a souvenir kiosk, where at the very last moment you can buy souvenirs for yourself and your friends.
At the airport itself, you can have a snack before departure in a small restaurant in the terminal, where guests and passengers are offered local cuisine at relatively low prices. Alternatively, you can buy a variety of snacks and drinks at the nearby shop.
The airport in Pattaya offers Internet café services to visitors, where you can access the Internet from a desktop computer.
