My Pattaya Travel Guide
Pattaya has a reputation. Some of it is earned, all of it is loud, and none of it tells the full story. The east coast city that’s two hours from Bangkok has three distinct stretches: central Pattaya (the famously raucous Walking Street zone), Jomtien (south, longer beach, calmer, family-friendly), and Naklua / Wong Amat (north, upmarket resorts, the boutique scene).
For most travelers reading this site, Jomtien is the answer. Long stretch of swimmable beach, good resorts at half the price of equivalents in Phuket, easy taxi or songthaew into the center if you want to wander.
We’ve been a handful of times when we wanted a quick beach weekend that didn’t involve a flight. It works.
My 2026 Pattaya Travel Guide
- Skip to our Pattaya FAQ
Pattaya Basics
- Where to stay in Pattaya (Jomtien vs Naklua) (coming soon)
- Best time to visit Pattaya (coming soon)
- Getting to Pattaya from Bangkok (coming soon)
Pattaya Hotels
- Best Hotels in Pattaya (coming soon)
- Best Family Hotels in Pattaya (coming soon)
- Best Pool Villas near Pattaya (coming soon)
- Best Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Pattaya (coming soon)
Pattaya Activities and Attractions
- Best Pattaya beaches (coming soon)
- Day trips from Pattaya (coming soon)
- Pattaya with kids (coming soon)
- Sanctuary of Truth and Nong Nooch gardens (coming soon)
Pattaya Travel Planning
Frequently asked questions
Is Pattaya worth visiting?
Yes, if you stay on Jomtien or in Naklua and skip Walking Street. The family resorts on the south end are genuinely good and the price-to-value is better than Phuket. Pattaya is what Phuket would be without the marketing budget.
How do I get to Pattaya from Bangkok?
Private car or van transfer in about 2 hours. Public van from Ekkamai bus terminal is cheap and frequent. Skip the airport-Pattaya direct buses unless you're really price-conscious.
Is Pattaya safe for families?
Stay in Jomtien, Naklua, or the south-end Wong Amat strip and yes, completely. Avoid Walking Street with kids, which should be obvious. The beaches outside the main strip are calmer than people expect.
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About Bangkok John
Bangkok John was started in 2020 when I posted my first hotel review. The site now publishes regularly updated guides to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, and all of Thailand.
I'm a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member and an Emirates Skywards Gold member, so I lean toward Marriott properties when the choice is close. I pay for my own rooms.
Questions? Email me at hello@bangkokjohn.com.