Bus + van
Cheapest, common route via Bangkok
Flight + transfer
Fastest, smooth connection via Bangkok
Private car/taxi
Door-to-door, flexible border crossing
Direct bus
No reliable direct connection available
Quick answer: Travelling from Phnom Penh to Pattaya involves a combination of land and/or air transport via Thailand. The fastest option is flying to Bangkok and then taking a bus or taxi to Pattaya. The most budget‑friendly is a direct bus or minivan via the Cambodian–Thai border. Private car transfers offer maximum comfort and flexibility.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. ~700 km via Bangkok.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Bus/minivan ~14–20 hours. | Flight + bus ~8–10 hours. | Private car/taxi ~12–20 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Bus/minivan ~US$30–50 per person. | Flight + bus ~US$60–170 per person. | Private car/taxi from ~US$200+ per vehicle.
- 🚌 Best for budget & availability: Tourist bus/shared minivan Phnom Penh → Pattaya (via border & Bangkok).
- ✈️ Best for time‑saving: Flight Phnom Penh → Bangkok + bus/taxi onward to Pattaya.
- 🚖 Best for comfort & flexibility: Private car or taxi door‑to‑door Phnom Penh → Pattaya.
Last updated in March 2026
From Phnom Penh to Pattaya you can travel by plane+bus, bus, train, car.
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- Travel distance from Phnom Penh to Pattaya is about 700 km via Bangkok in Thailand – by plane + bus, train or car. The most fastest way how to travel to Pattaya from Phnom Penh is to take a direct flight to Bangkok and from Bangkok you can travel by bus/minivan, train or car to Pattaya. Travel time from Phnom Penh to Pattaya by plane + bus is about 6 hours with stopover in Bangkok. There are various airlines to Bangkok and bus companies to Pattaya if you use this popular way of transfer. Transport by plane + bus to Pattaya from Phnom Penh via Bangkok should cost about $60-170/pp. It is also the most comfortable option of transfer.
Transfer by bus / minivan is the most cheapest way of getting to Pattaya.
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- You can also travel to Pattaya from Phnom Penh by bus/minivan, train (Royal Railway + Thai Railway) or private car/taxi via Battambang, Poi Pet border crossing (Aranyaprathet) and Bangkok. Travel by tourist bus has 2 steps, 1.step – by bus/minivan from Phnom Penh to Bangkok and by bus from Bangkok to Pattaya. There are also private cars from Phnom Penh to Bangkok and from Bangkok to Pattaya. You can book and buy bus/train tickets to Pattaya in Thailand from Phnom Penh in Cambodia easily online.
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- Pattaya is the most popular beach town close to Bangkok, it is about 150 km south of the town. It is favorite mainly by foreign tourists, because there are various attractions and other popular beach activities. It used to have a reputation as a city of sin, but in the last twenty years it has become an elegant and luxurious resort, where every third tourist who comes to Thailand is on holiday. Today, therefore, Pattaya is considered a city that can probably never sleep, a modern Babylonian of languages and nationalities. From Bangkok you can also travel to Ayutthaya – the most popular historic site, about 70 km from Bangkok and from Pattaya you can go to Koh Phi Phi.
| Transfer Mode – Phnom Penh to Pattaya | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus / Minivan | 14–20 hours | $30–50 per person |
| Train + Bus | 13 hours | $17–22 per person |
| Plane + Bus | 8–10 hours | $60–170 per person |
| Private Taxi / Car | 12–20 hours | $200–300 per vehicle |
How do I get from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
1. FLIGHT + BUS from Phnom Penh to Pattaya
👉 Flight + bus via Bangkok is the fastest and most practical way from Phnom Penh to Pattaya.
- ✔️ Ideal for: travelers who want a quick and smooth transfer
- ✔️ Total travel time: ~5–7 hours (flight + onward transfer)
- ✔️ Cost: $60–170 per person
- ✔️ Comfort level: medium to high (short flight + modern bus/minivan)
- ✅ Best Option: Direct flight to Bangkok + minivan or bus to Pattaya
- 💡 Tip: Book both legs online in advance and plan transfer from the airport
A) Flight from Phnom Penh to Bangkok
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- the most fastest way how you can get to Bangkok from Phnom Penh in Cambodia
- airlines to Bangkok from Phnom Penh: Thai Air Asia, Thai Smile, Cambodia Airways, Thai Airways…
- flight from Phnom Penh to Bangkok takes about 1.5 hour (direct flight)
- direct flight from Phnom Penh to Bangkok costs about $50-160/pp
- flight from Phnom Penh – Techo International Airport (KTI) Phnom Penh
- flight to Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport
- read this article: How to get to Bangkok from Phnom Penh?
B) Bus / Minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya
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- from Bangkok to Pattaya you can travel by tourist minivan, van or tourist bus
- bus companies to Pattaya: Mama Tour, T-Tour, Bangkok Taxi24, Roong Reuang Couch, Bell Travel…
- travel time by tourist bus or minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya is about 2-3 hours
- travel by tourist bus or minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya costs about $6-13/pp
- read this article: How to reach Pattaya from Bangkok?
- read the instructions before you book your bus or minivan tickets to Pattaya
2. BUS / MINIVAN from Phnom Penh to Pattaya
👉 Bus or minivan via Bangkok is a budget option from Phnom Penh to Pattaya.
- ✔️ Ideal for: low-cost travelers who don’t mind a longer journey
- ✔️ Total travel time: ~13–18 hours (including border crossing + transfer)
- ✔️ Cost: $30–55 per person
- ✔️ Comfort level: low to medium (bus/minivan + short transfer)
- ✅ Best Option: Bus to Bangkok + minivan or bus to Pattaya
- 💡 Tip: Expect delays at the border and book tickets online in advance
A) Bus / Minivan from Phnom Penh to Bangkok
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- from Phnom Penh to Bangkok you can travel by tourist bus or minivan
- these buses go mainly via Poi Pet border crossing
- a cheap option how to get to Bangkok from Phnom Penh
- travel time by tourist bus from Phnom Penh to Bangkok is about 11-15 hours
- bus ticket from Phnom Penh to Bangkok costs about $26-44/pp
- bus companies to Bangkok from Phnom Penh: Saly Express, Travel Mart, Airbus, Vibol Express, SRL Transport, Go Ho Travel, Virak Buntham, Thero Express, Capitol VIP, BookMeBus or Sarah Transport
- read this article: How to travel to Bangkok from Phnom Penh?
B) Bus / Minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya
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- from Bangkok to Pattaya you can travel by tourist minivan or bus
- bus companies to Pattaya: Mama Tour, Bangkok Taxi24, T-Tour, Roong Reuang Couch, Bell Travel…
- travel by bus from Bangkok to Pattaya takes about 2-3 hours
- travel by bus or minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya costs about $6-13/pp
- read the instructions before you book your tickets to Pattaya
3. TRAIN from Phnom Penh to Pattaya
👉 Train via Poipet, Aranyaprathet and Bangkok is the cheapest but most time-consuming way from Phnom Penh to Pattaya.
- ✔️ Ideal for: budget travelers and those who enjoy train travel
- ✔️ Total travel time: ~18–22 hours (multiple trains + border crossing)
- ✔️ Cost: $13–20 per person
- ✔️ Comfort level: low (basic train seats, several transfers)
- ✅ Best Option: Train to Poipet + Thai trains via Bangkok to Pattaya
- 💡 Tip: Check schedules carefully and allow extra time for transfers
A) Train from Phnom Penh to Poi Pet border crossing
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- you can travel to Poipet border crossing from Phnom Penh by train of Royal Railway
- travel time by train from Phnom Penh to Poipet is about 10.5 hours via Battambang
- travel by train from Phnom Penh to Poipet costs about $10/pp
- train schedule on this travel route is very limited
- Book bus train ticket from Phnom Penh to Poipet on Baolau ➜
- you can check Cambodia Railway Map
B) Train of Thai Railways from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok
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- Aranyaprathet town is about 3 km from Poi Pet border crossing
- from Aranyaprathet town to Bangkok you can take a train of Thai Railways
- you can buy train ticket at the railway station in Aranyaprathet station
- travel by train from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok costs about $1.50-2.00/pp
- travel by train from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok takes about 5.5 hours
- read this article: How to go from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok?
C) Train of Thai Railways from Bangkok to Pattaya
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- you can also travel by train of Thai Railways to Pattaya from Bangkok
- travel by train from Bangkok to Pattaya costs about $1.50-2.00/pp (seats)
- transfer from Bangkok to Pattaya by train is the most cheapest option of transport
- travel by train to Pattaya from Bangkok takes about 3.5-4 hours
- you can check current Thailand Railway Map + Thailand Train Timetable
4. TAXI / PRIVATE CAR from Phnom Penh to Pattaya
👉 Private taxi/car via Bangkok is the most comfortable but most expensive way from Phnom Penh to Pattaya.
- ✔️ Ideal for: groups or travelers seeking maximum comfort and flexibility
- ✔️ Total travel time: ~16–18 hours (including border crossing)
- ✔️ Cost: $300–520 per vehicle
- ✔️ Comfort level: high (private cars or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best Option: Private car to Bangkok + transfer to Pattaya
- 💡 Tip: Split costs in a group and arrange both transfers in advance
A) PRIVATE TAXI or CAR from Phnom Penh to Bangkok
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- from Phnom Penh to Bangkok you can also travel by private taxi or car (private minivan)
- transport by private taxi/car or minivan from Phnom Penh to Bangkok takes about 14 hours
- transport by private taxi/car or minivan from Phnom Penh to Bangkok costs about $250-440/car
- private transport company to Bangkok from Phnom Penh: Glassflower, Sima Car, Angkor Guide Adventure
- modern comfortable vehicles or minivans for a group of people
B) PRIVATE TAXI or CAR from Bangkok to Pattaya
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- you can travel by private taxi or car to Pattaya from Bangkok
- there are various private cars or minivans to Pattaya town from Bangkok
- travel time by taxi/car from Bangkok to Pattaya is about 2-2.5 hours
- transfer by taxi/car from Bangkok to Pattaya costs about $50-80/car
- private companies to Pattaya: Bell Transport, Bangkok Taxi24, Ground Business, Glassflower, Kanokwan Travel…
- you can also read this article: Transportation in Thailand
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Phnom Penh to Pattaya:
1. How to book tickets or flights from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- You can book tickets + flights from Phnom Penh to Pattaya on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can search another tickets and routes, e.g. Phnom Penh > Bangkok, Bangkok > Pattaya…
2. How long does it take to get from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- Travel by plane + bus from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Bangkok) takes about 6 hours.
- Travel by bus or minivan from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Bangkok) takes about 15-20 hours.
- Travel by train from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Aranyaprathet + Bangkok) takes about 22 hours.
- Travel by taxi or private car from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Bangkok) takes about 17-20 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- Travel distance from Phnom Penh to Pattaya is about 700 km by plane + bus via Bangkok.
- Travel distance is different if you will be traveling by bus, train via Poi Pet border.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- Transport by plane + bus from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Bangkok) costs about $60-170/pp.
- Transport by bus or minivan from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Bangkok) costs about $30-50/pp.
- Transport by train from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Aranyaprathet, Bangkok) costs about $10-20/pp.
- Transport by taxi or car from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (via Bangkok) costs about $350-450/car.
5. What is the best and fast way of transfer from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- The best and fastest way how to travel to Pattaya in Thailand from Phnom Penh in Cambodia is to take a direct flight to Bangkok and from Bangkok you can take a bus, minivan, train or private car to Pattaya beach town. It is also the most comfortable option of transfer to Thailand.
6. What is the cheapest way of transfer from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- The most cheapest option for low-cost travelers how to reach Pattaya from Phnom Penh is to travel by bus or minivan via Poi Pet border crossing and Bangkok – the capital of Thailand. Transfer by bus / minivan via Bangkok should cost about $32-47/pp. Another cheap way of transfer is to travel by train, but it takes a lot of travel time.
7. Is it possible to travel from Phnom Penh to Pattaya by train?
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- There is no direct train from Phnom Penh to Pattaya in Thailand. But you can travel by train of Royal Railway in Cambodia and by train of Thai Railway in Thailand. There is a train of Royal Railway from Phnom Penh to Poi Pet (via Battambang), from Aranyaprathet (3 km from Poi Pet) to Bangkok and from Bangkok to Pattaya. Train of Royal Railway in Cambodia has a very limited schedule.
8. Is there a direct flight from Phnom Penh to Pattaya?
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- No, there is no direct flight to Pattaya from Phnom Penh in Cambodia. If you want to travel by plane, you can take a direct flight to Bangkok and from Bangkok you have to travel by bus, van, train or private car.
9. Where you can go and travel from Pattaya town?
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- You can travel to another various interesting sites of Thailand. So, you can travel by bus/taxi + ferry to Koh Chang via Trat town or you can travel to one of the most popular beach site of Thailand – to Phuket, located in southern Thailand. You can also make a stop in Ayutthaya. You can also travel to Bangkok by bus, train or car.
10. How and where to book hotel in Pattaya?
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- Pattaya has a large accommodation facilities, mainly cheap guesthouses, hotels and resorts for tourists. Search and book your hotel, bungalow or resort in Pattaya in Thailand online here > Book resort or hotel in Pattaya ➜.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Phnom Penh to Pattaya
These practical tips are drawn from travel experience and highlight specific, lesser‑known insights for the long international route from Phnom Penh up to Thailand’s beach city Pattaya — a journey of varied options, border procedures and opportunities that go beyond a simple bus ride.
1. Look for Overnight Departure Deals
Some bus services between Phnom Penh and Pattaya offer night departures that let you sleep through much of the road time and border crossing — this often comes with cheaper fares and fewer daytime traffic delays. Booking these specific departures early can save both time and money compared with standard daytime buses.
2. Time Your Border Crossing Smartly
Border control at Poipet/Aranyaprathet can vary hugely by day of week and time of day — early morning crossings (before 09:30) often move faster and without the long queues that build in late morning and afternoon, especially on weekends or Thai holidays. Align your travel to hit the border just as it opens for a smoother passage.
3. Use Bangkok as a Breakpoint
Instead of going all the way straight to Pattaya, some travelers find it more relaxing to book land transport to Bangkok, rest overnight and then take a short 2–3 hour shuttle bus to Pattaya the next day — this breaks the trip, gives better sleep and lets you explore a bit of the Thai capital.
4. Arrange Communication With Overland Drivers
If you book a private car or taxi, use WhatsApp or a similar app to stay in touch with your driver ahead of time. Clear phone coordination helps avoid missed pickups and lets you confirm exactly where your ride will meet you in Phnom Penh and drop you off in Pattaya — small miscommunications otherwise cause big delays on such a long transfer.
5. Pack a Dual‑Country SIM or eSIM
A SIM/eSIM that works both in Cambodia and Thailand can save you last‑minute hassles at the border — whether it’s navigation after you arrive, coordinating transport or booking last‑mile buses in Pattaya, having continuous mobile data without needing two physical SIM cards makes the travel flow much smoother. (Local travel experience tip)
6. Plan Short Stops for Local Flavors En Route
Along the highway between Phnom Penh and the Thai border, there are small towns where you can try grilled street food or freshly made coffee at roadside stalls — these quick breaks not only stretch your legs but give a sense of local life and tastes that pass by unseen on direct non‑stop transfers. (Travel experience insight)
Tip: Bus, minivan, flight or private taxi/car tickets from Phnom Penh to Pattaya can be searched and booked online in advance, helping you secure your preferred departure time and level of comfort — particularly useful during weekends, holidays and international travel peaks.