5★Flight
≈ 2 h 30 m + 2 h road
CCU → BKK, non-stop; check current schedules
Airport
BKK
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Best time
November to February
check the season before booking
Stay
3-4 nights
+2 for Bangkok and temples
Country
Thailand
check entry rules
Non-stop flights run from Kolkata (CCU) to Suvarnabhumi Airport, with about 2 h 30 m in the air and 2 h by road to Pattaya. November to February is the comfortable window. Central Pattaya suits first visits and nightlife, Jomtien is quieter with a long beach, and Naklua keeps a slower, more local feel. Two to four nights covers the main sights.
Getting from Kolkata to Pattaya
By air
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main gateway, and non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) take about 2 h 30 m. The airport sits east of Bangkok, with a rail link to the city and buses and taxis at the arrivals level. Allow roughly 2 h by road from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya, longer in the evening rush or on holiday weekends.
Taxis and app cabs are the simplest way to Pattaya; fixed-rate airport taxi counters and limousine desks sit in the arrivals hall. Buses from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya run through the day from the ground floor transport area. Check the current timetable at the airport counters before setting out.
Other options
There is no practical rail or road route from Kolkata to Pattaya. Overland travel means crossing Myanmar or Bangladesh and northern Thailand, with visas, permits and long, uncertain road sections; flying is the sensible option. Trains within Thailand connect Bangkok to Pattaya, but the journey still starts with a flight from Kolkata.
Where to stay in Pattaya
Central Pattaya
First visits and nightlife. Beach Road, malls, restaurants and piers are within walking distance, and taxis and songthaews are easy to find at any hour.
Jomtien
Quieter stays with a long beach. Good for families and longer trips, with a slower pace, seafood restaurants along the sand and easy access to the islands.
Naklua
A local, low-rise feel north of the centre. Suits travellers who want morning markets, temples and seafood without the nightlife, with the Sanctuary of Truth a short ride away.
Top things to do in Pattaya
- Walking Street at night: The main night strip in south Pattaya. Go after dark for bars, music and street food; the road closes to traffic in the evening.
- Jomtien Beach: A long, straight beach south of the centre, good for swimming, seafood lunches and watching the kite surfers in the afternoon wind.
- Ko Lan by ferry: Boats leave from the Bali Hai pier for this island, with clear water, snorkelling and quieter beaches on the far side. Go early to avoid crowds.
- Sanctuary of Truth: A large wooden temple-like structure on the coast at Naklua, carved with figures from Thai and Hindu tradition. Ticketed; the grounds are walkable.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden: Landscaped gardens south of Pattaya with themed planting, a palm collection and cultural displays. A taxi or songthaew ride from the centre.
- Khao Phra Tamnak viewpoint: A hill between Pattaya and Jomtien with a viewpoint over the bay, a small temple and a monument. Best in the early morning or at sunset.
- Naklua morning market: A wet and dry market in the old fishing quarter, busiest early. Good for fruit, grilled seafood and a sense of ordinary Pattaya.
- Pattaya Floating Market: A built market on the edge of town with boats, food stalls and craft shops. Ticketed; go in the morning before the tour buses.
- Wong Amat Beach: The northern beach near Naklua, calmer than the centre and popular with families. Shaded by trees, with seafood places across the road.
- Underwater World aquarium: An aquarium on Sukhumvit Road with a walk-through tunnel. A good wet-weather option for families with children.
Three days in Pattaya
- Day 1: Beach Road and the centre: Start with Beach Road and the main beach, then lunch near the pier. In the afternoon ride to the Khao Phra Tamnak viewpoint, and finish with Walking Street after dark.
- Day 2: Ko Lan and Jomtien: Take an early ferry to Ko Lan for swimming and snorkelling, back by mid-afternoon. Spend the late afternoon on Jomtien Beach with seafood and a slow walk along the sand.
- Day 3: Naklua and the gardens: Morning at the Sanctuary of Truth and the Naklua market, then a taxi to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden or the floating market. Keep the evening free for a final seafood dinner.
Add a day for a boat trip or the gardens, or take the bus to Bangkok for temples and markets before flying home.
Best time to visit Pattaya
November to February is the comfortable stretch: dry days, lower humidity and sea breezes, with the coolest mornings around December and January. March heats up and April and May are hot, with rain arriving in short squalls. The monsoon runs roughly June to September, and October is mixed as the rain tails off. Check the forecast before booking and keep plans flexible in the shoulder months.
Getting around Pattaya
- Songthaew: Shared pickup trucks run fixed routes along Beach Road and Sukhumvit; agree the destination before boarding.
- Motorbike taxi: Fast for short hops, with riders waiting at most corners. Wear the helmet offered.
- Ferry: Boats leave from the Bali Hai pier through the day; check the last return time at the pier before travelling.
Pattaya vs Kolkata: what feels different
Pattaya runs at a different tempo from Kolkata: a beach resort where the sea sets the day's rhythm rather than the river. Food shifts from rice and fish curry to grilled seafood, som tam and street noodles, with chilli and lime in place of mustard oil. Thai is the everyday language, and English is common in tourist areas. The heat is drier in winter, the streets are built for cars and scooters, and life stays up later.
Before you go
- Entry rules: Rules for Indian passport holders change; check the Royal Thai Embassy before booking and confirm which visa or exemption applies.
- Money: Thai baht. Cards are accepted in hotels and malls; carry cash for markets, songthaews and street food.
- Language: Thai is the main language. English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas; a few Thai phrases help in markets.
- Sun and water: The sun is strong through the day; drink water often and use the shaded parts of the beach. Take care with currents when swimming.
Hotels in Pattaya
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Pattaya’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★Mövenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya
≈ 6 km from Jomtien, Pattaya · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 5508 reviewsSee live price
5★Veranda Resort Pattaya MGallery Collection Accor Hotel
≈ 3 km from Jomtien, Pattaya · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 3584 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Ravindra Beach Resort And Spa
≈ 6 km from Jomtien, Pattaya · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 3794 reviewsSee live price
5★Hotel Baraquda Heeton by Compass Hospitality
Central Pattaya, Pattaya · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 1154 reviewsSee live price
5★
4★Pattaya Discovery Beach Hotel SHA Extra Plus
Naklua, Pattaya · 4-starGuest score 4.3/5 · 4026 reviewsSee live price
4★FAQ
How long does it take to get from Kolkata to Pattaya?
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Suvarnabhumi Airport take about 2 h 30 m, then roughly 2 h by road to Pattaya. Add time at both airports for check-in, immigration and baggage. Flying via another city adds several hours; check schedules when booking.
Which airport serves Pattaya?
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main gateway for the Bangkok region and the usual arrival point for Pattaya. Road transfers and buses run from the airport to the coast through the day. Check terminal and transfer arrangements with the airport before travelling.
When is the best time to visit Pattaya from Kolkata?
November to February is the most comfortable window, with dry days and lower humidity. Kolkata's winter is mild, so the shift to a tropical beach is easy. March to May is hot, and the monsoon runs roughly June to September. Check the forecast before booking.
Where should you stay in Pattaya?
Central Pattaya suits first visits, with the beach, restaurants and nightlife in walking distance. Jomtien is quieter, with a long beach that works well for families. Naklua, north of the centre, has a slower local feel with markets and seafood. Choose by how much nightlife is wanted.
How many days should you spend in Pattaya?
Three or four nights covers the main beach, Ko Lan and the northern sights around Naklua. Add a day for Nong Nooch Tropical Garden or a boat trip. Many travellers pair Pattaya with two or three nights in Bangkok, a short bus or train ride away.
Is Pattaya good for families?
Yes, especially around Jomtien and Naklua, where the pace is slower and the beaches are quieter. Aquariums, gardens and boat trips fill wet or hot afternoons. Central Pattaya is livelier and less suited to young children at night.
How do you get around Pattaya?
Songthaews, the shared pickup trucks, run fixed routes along Beach Road and Sukhumvit. Motorbike taxis are quick for short hops, and app cabs work in the centre. Ferries from the Bali Hai pier serve Ko Lan. Agree the destination before boarding.
What food should you try in Pattaya?
Seafood is the local speciality: grilled fish, prawns and squid at beachside restaurants. Som tam, noodle soups and satay are the everyday street food, and the town's tourist base means Indian, European and Middle Eastern cooking is easy to find. Night markets serve fresh meals through the evening.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.