Day trips from Pattaya by motorbike

The rides at a glance

Distances are one way, by road, from Central Pattaya. Times are for a scooter in normal traffic. Allow more at rush hour and in the rain.

Before you go

• Fuel: Gasohol 95. Fill up in Pattaya before the longer rides.
• Take your passport and your driving licence. The navy areas in Sattahip ask for ID at the gate.
• Start early and plan to be back before dark.
• Thailand drives on the left. Slower vehicles keep to the left lane.
• A problem with the bike? Call or message us at any time.

Pratumnak Hill: viewpoint and Big Buddha

From Central Pattaya: about 3 km, about 10 min.

Head for the south end of Pattaya and take Phra Tamnak Road up the hill. A signed side road climbs between two hilltops: the viewpoint is on one, the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) on the other.

The viewpoint looks over Pattaya Bay and the whole city. It is the classic photo, best in the late afternoon. Wat Phra Yai has an 18-metre golden Buddha at the top of a staircase.

• Entry: free at both. Donations are welcome at the temple.
• Hours: both are open every day from morning to evening. Sources give different closing times, so go in daylight.
• Dress at the temple: shoulders and knees covered. Shoes off before the shrines.
• Parking: there is space for motorbikes at both sites.

Safety: the hill roads are short but steep, with tight bends and tour buses. Go slowly and brake before the bend, not in it.

Koh Larn by ferry: the bike stays at Bali Hai pier

From Central Pattaya: about 3 km, about 10 min to the pier, then about 45 min by ferry.

Ride to Bali Hai pier, at the south end of Walking Street. Walking Street is closed to vehicles in the evening, so come and go by the pier road on the Pratumnak side.

The public ferries are passenger boats: park the bike at the pier and cross on foot. Koh Larn has clear water and several sandy beaches, such as Tawaen, Samae, Tien and Nual. On the island, shared pick-up taxis (songthaews) and motorbike taxis run between the piers and the beaches.

• Ferry: ฿40 per person each way (the fare since 10 April 2026). The crossing to Na Baan pier takes about 45 minutes.
• The first boats leave at about 07:00. The last public ferry back is at about 18:00. Check the timetable at the pier when you arrive.
• Parking: paid parking at Bali Hai pier. Lock the steering and take the key with you.

Safety: do not miss the last ferry. After it only private speedboats run, and they cost much more.

Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain) and Silverlake

From Central Pattaya: about 21 km, about 40 min.

Take Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3) south towards Sattahip for about 15 km. Turn left at the signs for Khao Chi Chan and Wat Yansangwararam, then follow the signs for the last few kilometres.

A golden Buddha, 109 metres high and 70 metres wide, drawn on a cliff with lasers in 1996 for the 50th year of King Bhumibol's reign. A park with ponds lies at its foot. Silverlake Vineyard is next door: vines, gardens and a restaurant.

• Khao Chi Chan: free. Reported hours: 06:00–18:00 every day.
• It is a religious site: dress with respect, shoulders and knees covered.
• Silverlake: hours and prices change. Check before you go.
• Parking: a car park at the foot of the hill.

Safety: on Sukhumvit you turn right by using a U-turn gap from the fast lane. Move over early, signal, and wait for a clear gap. If you are not sure, ride on to the next U-turn.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

From Central Pattaya: about 22 km, about 40 min.

Take Sukhumvit Road south for about 18 km. The entrance road is signed on the left.

A very large botanical garden: French-style and Italian-style gardens, cactus and palm collections, a dinosaur valley and cultural shows. Allow at least half a day.

• Open every day, 08:00–18:00.
• Tickets: the price depends on what is included (garden only, shows, shuttle bus). Sellers quote about ฿300 to ฿800 for a foreign adult. Check the official price before you go.
• Parking: on site.

Safety: the garden is big and hot. Drink water and rest before the ride home: tired riders make mistakes.

Bang Saray: fishing village and beach

From Central Pattaya: about 22 km, about 40 min.

Take Sukhumvit Road south for about 20 km. Turn right at the Bang Saray junction and ride down to the sea.

A fishing village with a pier, fishing boats and seafood restaurants by the water. The beach is long and quiet, with trees for shade. A calm half-day away from the city.

• Entry: free. It is a public beach.
• Parking: along the beach road.
• Easy to combine with Nong Nooch or Khao Chi Chan: they are a few kilometres apart.

Safety: ride back before dark. At night Sukhumvit has fast traffic and poor light in places.

Sattahip coast: Sai Kaew Beach

From Central Pattaya: about 30 km, about 50 min.

Take Sukhumvit Road south towards Sattahip for about 25 km, then follow the signs to Sai Kaew Beach (หาดทรายแก้ว). The beach is inside a Royal Thai Navy area: you stop at a gate.

One of the cleanest beaches near Pattaya: white sand, clear water, green hills behind. Further south the navy also runs Nang Ram beach and the Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Do not confuse it with Sai Kaew beach on Koh Samet, which is in Rayong province.

• The navy sets the rules. It can change them or close the area without notice.
• At the gate: have your passport with you. The guards may keep an ID and give you a pass.
• Reported fee: ฿100 for a foreign adult, ฿50 for a Thai adult. Check before you go.
• Reported hours: about 07:00 to 18:00. Check before you go.
• Parking: at weekends and on holidays you may have to park near the gate and take the navy shuttle to the beach.
• Sea Turtle Conservation Center: reported free, 08:30–16:30, passport needed.

Safety: Sattahip is the southern edge of Chon Buri province. Do not ride on east past Sattahip: Ban Chang and U-Tapao airport are in Rayong province.

Bang Saen and Khao Sam Muk

From Central Pattaya: about 52 km, about 1 h 15 min.

Take Sukhumvit Road north through Si Racha for about 45 km, then turn left to Bang Saen beach. Khao Sam Muk is the hill at the north end of the beach road, about 3 km further.

Bang Saen is where Thai families go to the beach: deckchairs, food stalls and a long promenade. Khao Sam Muk has a sea viewpoint, a shrine and many wild monkeys.

• Entry: free.
• Parking: along the beach road and at the viewpoint.
• Monkeys: do not feed them. Close your bags and leave nothing on the bike. They take food, phones and glasses.
• Busy at weekends and on Thai holidays.

Safety: this is the longest ride, about 105 km there and back on a busy highway with trucks near Laem Chabang port. Keep left. Stay off the motorway (Highway 7): motorbikes are not allowed on it. Leave Bang Saen by 16:00 to be back before dark.

Where you cannot take the bike

Our bikes stay inside Chon Buri province. Outside it, the fine starts at ฿3,000.

Koh Samet looks close on the map. But its pier, Ban Phe, is in Rayong province, about 80 km from Pattaya.

Also not allowed: unpaved roads, tracks and beaches.

Want to go further? We can arrange a taxi or a tour. Message us on WhatsApp or LINE.

All the rules: rental terms.

Riding safely around Pattaya

• Sukhumvit Road: fast traffic, trucks and buses. Keep left. Watch for vehicles pulling out and for bikes coming the wrong way along the edge.
• U-turns: the most dangerous moment. Get into the right lane early, signal, and never force your way across.
• Rain: the road is most slippery in the first minutes. Painted lines and metal covers are like ice. Stop under cover and wait: showers are usually short. The rainy season runs roughly from May to October.
• Night: avoid long rides after dark. Lighting is poor outside town and some drivers have been drinking.
• Helmet: always on and fastened, for you and your passenger.
• Sand: beach roads often have sand in the bends. Slow down.
• Alcohol: never drink and ride.