TravellerPattaya’s songthaews look cheap and convenient, but honestly, I have no idea how they work. Where do they go and how much do they cost?
Local FriendDon’t worry! Once you understand a few simple rules, songthaews become the easiest way to move around Pattaya. Let me show you exactly how to use them!
Pattaya songthaew fares changed in April 2026. The standard fare is now 15 THB.
🎥 See Pattaya Songthaews in Action
Here’s a short look at Pattaya’s songthaews on the road, including how passengers get off.
🗺️ Pattaya Songthaew Routes at a Glance
Pattaya’s songthaew network is built around four main routes, covering most of the places visitors travel.
- Beach Road Route: The easiest route for first-time visitors, running along Beach Road and Second Road through central Pattaya.
- Naklua Route: Connects central Pattaya with the Naklua area and local attractions such as Naklua Market.
- Jomtien Route: Runs south from Pattaya toward Jomtien Beach, making it easy to reach the beach area.
- Soi Buakhao Route: Connects Pattaya Klang and Pattaya Tai through the Soi Buakhao area, popular with long-stay visitors and local residents.
Each route follows a simple path, and once you understand the basics, getting around the city becomes easy and inexpensive.
🚌 5 Things You Should Know Before Riding
Before riding a songthaew in Pattaya, there are five key points that will help you avoid confusion and ride like a local.
- Songthaews run on fixed main routes — but stops are flexible.
- The standard fare is 15 THB — some longer trips may cost 20 THB
- Keep small change for the fare (tip: there are no 15-baht coins!).
- When does a songthaew become a private taxi?
- You must signal to get on and off.
❶ Songthaews Run on Fixed Main Routes (Flexible Stops)
In Pattaya, songthaews follow main roads but do not use fixed bus stops. You can get on or off almost anywhere along the route by simply signaling the driver. Once you get used to this, you’ll find it one of the easiest ways to get around Pattaya.
❷ The Standard Fare is 15 THB — Some Longer Trips May Cost 20 THB
As long as you stay within the regular main routes, such as the city center, Beach Road, and Soi Buakhao, the standard fare is 15 THB per ride. You do not need to negotiate—just get on, ride, and pay when you get off.
Some longer trips, such as traveling deep into Jomtien or across certain zone boundaries, may cost 20 THB. However, based on our on-site experience, some rides may still be charged at 15 THB, depending on the route and trip.
❸ Keep Small Change for the Fare
Always keep some small notes or coins ready. Since 15-baht coins do not exist, you can pay the standard fare with a 10-baht coin and a 5-baht coin.
However, you will also see many passengers simply hand the driver a 20-baht note and receive 5 THB in change. So you do not need to have exactly 15 THB every time.
It is still a good idea to carry small notes and coins, as drivers may not always have enough change for larger notes.
❹ When Does a Songthaew Become a Private Taxi?
The 15–20 THB fare applies to normal shared-route rides. If you ask a driver to take you to a specific destination outside their regular route, the ride becomes a private taxi charter. The standard fare no longer applies, and you should negotiate the price before getting in.
This is not a scam—it’s simply a different way of using a songthaew.
❺ You Must Signal to Get On and Off
To get on, simply raise your hand when the truck approaches. To get off, press the buzzer on the ceiling or pillars inside. Keep an eye on Google Maps and press it just before your destination.
🎒 How to Get On & Off
The driver will pull over and let you off safely.
Using a songthaew is easy—just follow these simple steps from start to finish!
Getting On
- Simply raise your hand slightly to signal.
- No need to tell the driver your destination (unless you’re going far off-route).
- If it’s on your desired route, just hop in.
Where to Sit & What to Expect
- Most passengers sit on the side benches inside. If the vehicle is crowded, some local passengers may stand on the rear step, but sitting inside is the safer option whenever space is available.
Small luggage is usually fine.
- A single suitcase or golf bag is usually accepted, especially outside peak hours. Just avoid blocking the aisle or taking up space needed by other passengers.
Getting Off & Paying
- Press the buzzer inside when you’re near your stop.
- Pay the driver directly from the passenger-side window.
✅ In short:
- Raise your hand to hop on—no need to talk.
- Press the buzzer just before your stop.
- Pay the driver in small bills when you get off.
- Luggage? One suitcase is totally fine.
📌 Main Songthaew Waiting Stands
While you can easily flag down a songthaew almost anywhere along the street, there are a few key hubs where songthaews often wait for passengers before departing. Starting your ride here makes it easier to find an available songthaew and often gives you a better chance of getting a seat.
① Jomtien Beach Route Stand
Location: Near the major intersection of Second Road & South Pattaya Road (Pattaya Tai).
This is the main departure point heading south. You will see a line of dark blue songthaews waiting here, ready to take passengers straight down to the Jomtien Beach area.
② Beach Road Route Stands (Stand 1 & Stand 2)
Location: Near Dolphin Circle (Stand 1) and the start of Second Road (Stand 2).
As shown on the map, the main routes have two of the busiest waiting stands where songthaews regularly queue up:
- Beach Road Route Stand 1 (Dolphin Circle): Located at the northern end of the beach area. Songthaews park here before heading south along Beach Road.
- Beach Road Route Stand 2 (Start of Second Road): Songthaews wait here before heading north along Second Road toward Terminal 21. Some continue to Naklua, so if that’s your destination, simply ask the driver, “Naklua?” before boarding.
③ Soi Buakhao Route Stand
Location: In front of the market area on Soi Buakhao (South Pattaya side).
This stand is specifically for northbound songthaews heading toward Central Pattaya Road (Pattaya Klang). This stand is especially convenient on Tuesdays and Fridays when the popular Buakhao Market is open.
📖 Pattaya Songthaew Detailed Routes
Let’s start with the Beach Road Route, the most popular route for first-time visitors.
① Beach Road Route
This is Pattaya’s most popular and frequently used songthaew route.
It follows Beach Road and Second Road, connecting many of Pattaya’s most popular attractions, shopping areas, and hotels.
Verified June 2026. Not to scale. Please use this map as a general guide.
Songthaews travel south along Beach Road and north along Second Road, following Pattaya’s one-way traffic system.
A single songthaew may not complete the entire route. Drivers sometimes finish their shift, wait at a stand, or turn off the route.If that happens, simply get off, pay the standard fare, and catch the next songthaew.
You don’t always need to transfer at Dolphin Circle.
Some Beach Road Route songthaews continue directly onto the Naklua Route.
If you’re heading to Naklua, simply ask the driver
“Naklua?”
before boarding.
② Naklua Route
The Naklua Route connects central Pattaya with Naklua, a quieter local neighborhood known for fresh seafood markets, temples, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Unlike the Beach Road Route, songthaews travel in both directions along Pattaya–Naklua Road. Southbound vehicles briefly detour near Dolphin Circle before continuing toward central Pattaya.
When heading back toward central Pattaya, the vehicle briefly turns onto North Pattaya Road before making a U-turn and continuing to Beach Road. This is normal, so don’t worry if it seems to head the wrong way for a moment.
Many southbound songthaews continue directly
from Naklua onto Beach Road.
Before boarding,simply ask
“Beach Road?”
to avoid an unnecessary transfer.
③ Jomtien Route
The Jomtien Route connects central Pattaya with Jomtien Beach, one of the city’s most popular beach areas. It follows Thappraya Road before continuing south along Jomtien Beach Road, making it an easy and inexpensive way to reach hotels, cafés, and the beachfront.
This route connects central Pattaya with the wide, relaxing shores of Jomtien Beach. Songthaews depart south from the Jomtien Beach Route Stand (at the Second Road & South Pattaya Road intersection), travel down Thappraya Road, pass the Jomtien Bus Station, and head straight to the beach.
④ Soi Buakhao Route
The Soi Buakhao Route connects Central Pattaya Road (Pattaya Klang) and South Pattaya Road (Pattaya Tai). It passes through one of Pattaya’s liveliest local neighborhoods, including Tree Town, local markets, bars, and many budget-friendly hotels.
Unlike the Beach Road Route, songthaews on Soi Buakhao operate in both directions. Simply wait on the side of the road that matches the direction you want to travel.
Local FriendAs you ride along, you’ll pass Tree Town, local markets, cafés, restaurants, and the many massage shops that make Soi Buakhao one of Pattaya’s busiest streets.
✅ Quick Tips for Pattaya Songthaew Routes:
- Beach Road is the easiest route for beginners.
- Naklua and Jomtien are easy to reach once you know the correct route and direction.
- Soi Buakhao runs in both directions.
🎒 Tips to Avoid Getting Lost
- Remember the basic routes: Beach Road goes south, and Second Road goes north.
- If you feel like you’ve taken the wrong turn, don’t panic—just hop off and find a different route.
- When in doubt, confirm with the driver by asking simple words like “Naklua?” or “Jomtien?” before boarding.
- Google Maps is your best friend—track your location in real-time to see where you are.
🧭 Which Songthaew Route Should You Learn First?
If this is your first time using songthaews in Pattaya, don’t try to learn everything at once.
Think of it as levels:
Beach Road → Soi Buakhao → Naklua & Jomtien.
❓ Questions You Might Have
- Is riding a Songthaew in Pattaya safe?
-
From my experience and after many rides around Pattaya, songthaews are generally a safe and reliable way to travel.
- What are the operating hours of songthaews?
-
Songthaews run throughout the day and are easy to find on the main routes.
Even around midnight, you can usually still catch one in central Pattaya, although early morning services are less frequent. - Do drivers try to overcharge tourists?
-
As long as you use a songthaew as a shared ride on a standard route, overcharging is relatively uncommon because the 15–20 THB fare is well established. Just pay the appropriate fare when you get off.
- Does the fare change late at night?
-
On standard shared routes, the regular fare generally remains the same even at night. However, when regular shared services are sparse, you may need to use a songthaew as a private taxi, in which case the price is negotiated separately.
📚 Related Guides
Still unsure about the fare? Here’s our detailed guide explaining when to pay 15 THB or 20 THB, including the latest on-site observations and common fare situations.
Choosing where to stay? Compare Pattaya’s main hotel areas and see which neighborhoods are easiest to explore using songthaews.
Heading to Koh Larn? Learn the easiest way to reach Bali Hai Pier and catch the ferry for a perfect island day trip.
