Bell Bus Service from Pattaya

[69billy]

(thaibound @ Feb. 27 2008,06:41) so...does anyone know...
1. does the van go to more than 2 or 3 places en route to the pattaya bus station?
2. is there ANY hassle/worry with luggage, either on the van or the bus?
3. is there also a Bell bus from pattaya to bangkok, and if so, how close to nana will the pattaya bus take you -- carrying my luggage i don't want to have to hire taxi in bkk after bus, but I don't see how else to get from bkk bus station to the DIG, though a short 50baht ride might still be worth it.
4. is there already a thread on this, in which case, just yell at me and i'll shut up.  
Many thanks.
p.s.
saw iinteresting tv piece last night on the *train* from bangkok to pattaya. looked and sounded pretty interesting -- all for about 40 baht -- until they mentioned the 3 1/2 hours it took, when it was on time, which apparently it is not often!  

1.It does...If you don't like that ,any bth. taxi will take you to bus station for 100bt.
2..I never had any hassle or worry..Once bus lives the station next stop is airport..
3..You are better of taking the Express bus from station,one every30min..(Not Bell) to the Ekamai-BKK(110bt) which is direct no stops..and only 2-3 min walk from EkamaiSkytrain I think 3-4 stops from Nana.(20bt?)...
4..No problem
Ps..
I watched the program well.If you got lots of time in your hands and like to do some site seeing..Its for you..
Its like a day out...

[PigDogg]

(thaibound @ Feb. 26 2008,21:41) so...does anyone know...
1. does the van go to more than 2 or 3 places en route to the pattaya bus station?
2. is there ANY hassle/worry with luggage, either on the van or the bus?
3. is there also a Bell bus from pattaya to bangkok, and if so, how close to nana will the pattaya bus take you --

1)  There's a few stops along the way but it's not a big deal and well coordinated so the bus leaves on time.

2)  It seems pretty safe to me but I carry any valuables on the bus with me in a backpack.

3) If you go from Pattaya all the way to Bangkok it's 300 baht but only about half their busses do this trip.  Believe it stops on Suk Soi 4.

I've taken it twice and am very satisfied with their service.

PS-I see Billy has a already replied and he's right, I don't recommend Bell for Bangkok to Pattaya.

But the money you save on the airport route translates into an extra Soi 6 shortime.

And the bus drivers don't seem reckless.

[thaibound]

many thanks.
nice to have more options...

[Torurot]

IIRC getting from Morchit in BKK to the nearest sky train stop (Morchit) is more trouble than it's worth and way too far to walk with anything more than a small backpack. Tuk Tuks & Taxis have that short trip sewn up!

[SamplerDoc]

Hmm good read guys....
I have used the Bell service once and it was not bad going from Pattaya to BKK Airport. No idea how it works in reverse but times are limited for using the outbound and return.

But I found its worth 800 THB for a taxi to go direct to the BKK Airport from where ever ya like in Pattaya with no stops at all.  It took about 1 hour total if that.

Also took a private Limo same route and deal as the taxi and took 1 hour 5 minutes, even came to pick me up earlier than the time I requested at my Condo in Pattaya. Limo paid the tolls out the Taxi did not.

Never used the public bus, as SB said I'm really not interested in a long long walk or taxi to the station.

Hope this helps as well Guys.

[PigDogg]

Bell Bus is now 200 baht. Still a great deal if it fits your schedule.

[EyeMahk]

Good advice.  I took this bus 3 weeks ago from Pattaya to the airport. Left on time (11:00am), about 90 minutes total time. It was full, I suggest buying the ticket the day prior just to be safe.

[PigDogg]

They have a website now.

Bell Bus

[SamplerDoc]

33.33 percent jump in fares as gas prices go down

Thats 2 beer changs from the 7

[Chinaman]

I took the Bell bus twice within the last week and unfortunately I have to say that the service has deteriorated compared to last year.

For one, the price went up, ok, but before, it was usually half full and every passenger had 2 seats available. Now it was crammed almost to the very last seat both times. Worst of all, it left Pattaya with a delay of about 30 minutes. They picked me up at 2.45 pm for the 3 pm departure and still went to drop off passengers on the way, which is the other thing. Before, they picked you up and that was it, now it seems to be pick up and drop off on the same itinerary.

Perhaps I was just unlucky this time, but times might have changed. Still the best deal if the time suits you but not the same pleasure trip any longer ...

[Soi8dave]

I used the Bell service on arrival at the airport in February and back to the airport in March.
The journey to Pats was very quick for a bus - possibly nearly as fast as by taxi, however the bus was fairly old and not that confortable, being full. Although depending on your arrival time you may have a wait a while before the scheduled departure time. The transfer to a mini bus and to my hotel was quick and efficient. Compared with a taxi there is a fair saving and if you are not concerned about getting to Pats in the minimum time I would recommend it.
Going back I dont thnk it is such a good deal, as the cash saving is rather smaller as the taxi fare is lower Pats>Airport. Also after collecting you at your hotel they tour the town picking up others and there can be a wait at the bus station whilst all the mini buses arrive. You will therefore need to factor in a fair margin of "safety" when making your reservation.
I made the incoming reservation by email and outgoing I called at their office at the bus station on North Pattaya Road.

[PigDogg]

(Soi8dave @ May 05 2009,07:21) Going back I dont thnk it is such a good deal, as the cash saving is rather smaller as the taxi fare is lower Pats>Airport. Also after collecting you at your hotel they tour the town picking up others and there can be a wait at the bus station whilst all the mini buses arrive. You will therefore need to factor in a fair margin of "safety" when making your reservation.

Two very valid points.