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Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao International Airport, also known as the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport. The airport is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and 36 kilometres from Pattaya city. It takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes to drive from Pattaya to the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport |
| Other names | U-Taphao, Utapao Pattaya Airport, Pattaya Airport, Sattahip U-Tapao |
| Location | Ban Chang district of Rayong province, Thailand |
| Distance from Pattaya | 36 km, 45-50 minutes' drive |
| Transport options | Air-conditioned buses, vans, private taxis, mini cabs, shuttle service |
| IATA code | UTP |
| ICAO code | VTBU |
| Owner | Royal Thai Navy |
| Capacity | 3 million passengers per year (expected to increase to 15 million in the next 5 years) |
| Facilities | Food outlets, internet cafe, information/travel desk, kiosks for hotel bookings, car parking |
| Airlines | Thai Airways, AirAsia, Chinese airlines |
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What You'll Learn
- U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is the only airport in Pattaya
- The airport is 45-50 minutes from Pattaya and has many transport options
- The airport is a joint civil-military airfield and home to the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing
- It has modern facilities, abundant food outlets, and friendly staff
- The airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is the only airport in Pattaya
U-Tapao is known for its fast service, friendly and helpful staff, and abundant food outlets with reasonable prices. The airport has basic amenities, including clean toilets and two cafes, one in the arrival hall and the other next to the gate. It is also said to be much more relaxing than the alternative Bangkok airports.
U-Tapao has seen significant expansion and upgrading in recent years, with the addition of a new terminal and plans for further development. The airport now has the capacity to handle up to 3 million passengers annually, with the Thai government intending to turn it into a major destination for airlines. The expansion project is expected to enable the airport to handle 15 million passengers within the next five years, 30 million in the next 15 years, and 60 million in the next 20 years.
The airport is easily accessible from Pattaya and Bangkok through various transport services, including bus, van, taxi, and minicab options. It takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes to drive from Pattaya to the airport, and there are air-conditioned buses that run to and from Trat, Chonburi, and Rayong. For Air Asia passengers, there is a dedicated minibus service from the airport to the Central Festival Mall in Pattaya's city centre.
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The airport is 45-50 minutes from Pattaya and has many transport options
Pattaya does have an airport, the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, also known as the Utapao Pattaya Airport. It is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. The airport is 45-50 minutes from Pattaya and has many transport options.
The airport is easily accessible from Pattaya city by bus services operated by SWB Bus. Travellers can also opt for air-conditioned buses stationed at the Eastern Bus Terminal if travelling from Bangkok. Vans, private taxis, mini cabs, and shuttle services from hotels are also available. For travellers who prefer to drive themselves, there is a well-managed car parking facility for short- and long-term parking.
The airport has a taxi service counter in the arrival zone, which is a convenient option for travellers. However, it is known to be relatively expensive, with fares costing up to 1,000 Baht to get to the hotel. There is also a pickup facility from the airport to the city, with female-only drivers, for a one-way fare of 800 Baht. Car rentals are available for travellers with international licenses.
The airport has expanded in recent years, with the addition of Terminal 2, increasing its capacity to handle up to 3,000,000 passengers annually. It serves both local and international flights, with an increasing number of Chinese airlines operating from the airport. The airport has modern facilities, including an internet cafe, clean toilets, and abundant food outlets with acceptable prices.
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The airport is a joint civil-military airfield and home to the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing
U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport is the only airport in Pattaya. It is a joint civil-military airfield, serving both the public and the military. The airport is also known as the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield and is home to the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing.
The airport is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140-147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and 36 kilometres from Pattaya city. It is approximately a 45-50 minute drive from Pattaya. The airport is easily accessible from Pattaya city by bus, taxi, or private transport services.
U-Tapao has a long history as a military airfield. It was built by the United States during the Vietnam War to accommodate B-52 bombers for missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The airport continues to serve a military function today as the home of the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing.
The Thai government has recognised the potential of U-Tapao as an international gateway due to its proximity to Bangkok and Pattaya. With the two main Bangkok airports operating beyond capacity, U-Tapao has been developed to meet international standards and serve as an alternative international destination for airlines. The airport has undergone expansion, including the addition of a new terminal, to accommodate the increasing demand for flights to and from Thailand.
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It has modern facilities, abundant food outlets, and friendly staff
U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport, also known as Utapao Pattaya Airport, is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140-147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. It is the only airport in Pattaya and is considerably close to the city. The airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists and other international flights.
U-Tapao has modern facilities, abundant food outlets, and friendly staff. The airport has certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meaning it meets all international standards. It has a clean toilet, and there are two cafes, one in the arrival hall and one next to the gate. There is also an excellent internet cafe, and the information/travel desk is known for being very helpful to passengers. The staff are well-versed in passenger ethics and can provide helpful details about famous attractions.
The airport has seen recent expansion, with the addition of Terminal 2, which has increased its capacity to 3 million passengers annually. The Thai government has also approved another expansion plan to increase capacity to 60 million passengers per year. This will include a new runway, taxiways, and additional facilities.
There are many transport services available to and from the airport, including buses, vans, private taxis, and mini cabs. The drive from Pattaya to the airport takes between 45 to 50 minutes.
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The airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists
Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport. It is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. The airport is also a Royal Thai Navy Air Station.
The airport's expansion projects have increased its capacity and popularity. The addition of Terminal 2 allows it to handle up to 3 million passengers annually, and the number of flights is ever-growing due to AirAsia's expansion and the increasing number of Chinese airlines serving the airport. The Thai government intends to further develop U-Tapao into a third major destination for airlines, with plans to boost its capacity to 15 million passengers per year in the next five years. In the long term, the government aims to increase its capacity to 60 million passengers per year, adding a new runway, taxiways, and facilities to enhance connections to the Eastern Economic Corridor.
The airport's convenient location, modern facilities, and expansion plans contribute to its growing popularity as a destination route for tourists visiting Pattaya and the surrounding areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pattaya has its own airport, the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, also known as the Utapao Pattaya Airport.
The airport is located about 36 km from Pattaya city, which is approximately a 45-50 minute drive.
There are various transport options available to get to the airport. These include air-conditioned buses, vans, private taxis, mini cabs, and shuttle services provided by some hotels.
