Day Trip From Bangkok to Koh Larn, Pattaya’s Little Paradise
Koh Larn can be your relaxing island getaway if you are tired of the chaos of Pattaya
Just off the shore of Thailand’s infamous Pattaya City, lies a beautiful little island paradise almost untouched by tourists, Koh Larn. Most visitors would take a day trip there from Pattaya but if you are traveling from Bangkok or are looking to have a longer stay in Koh Larn then read on as I have some recommendations and experiences to share with you to make your trip to this gorgeous paradise as enjoyable as possible.
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From Bangkok to Pattaya to Koh Larn
The ferry that will take you to Koh Larn is 2 floors, I recommend sitting on the top floor
Before you enjoy the wonders of Koh Larn you’ll need to get there first. Don’t worry it’s easy, the journey consists of 2 parts.
From Bangkok to Pattaya
The first part is travelling from Bangkok to Pattaya. There are many options available such as:
Personal Car - 2-3 hour drive, tiring and not economical if you have to purchase gas.
Taxi (NOT recommended at all) - overpriced and unpleasant experience.
Train - most economical but unpleasant experience.
Plane - expensive, cumbersome, and nearest airport is 30km from Pattaya City.
Bus / Minivan (Recommended) - 2 - 3 hour drive, cheap and good service, little to no hassle.
I went to Koh Larn with my partner and we took the minivan/bus service form Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal. I highly recommend booking a ticket in advance , which is what I did. The tickets are relatively cheap at around 200 THB (5.75 USD) or less, and for the comfort that you are getting, it is well worth it.
You can book a cheap ticket for a minivan here, look for the ones that start at Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
From Pattaya to Naban Pier, Koh Larn
Once you are in Pattaya you will need to head over to Bali Hai Pier, the main harbor in Pattaya City.
The good thing is, if you booked a minivan/bus, one of the stops they’ll drop you off at IS Bali Hai Pier.
From here you have the option of choosing a:
Speedboat - 20 Minute ride, 150 or 200 THB (4.30 or 5.75 USD) per person (one way trip)
Ferry - 40 Minute ride, 30 THB (1.00 USD) per person (one way trip)
The ferry is located at the very end of the pier while speedboats are dotted all along the sides of the pier.
I recommend taking a ferry as it is cheaper, but to be honest it’s all up to you. You could take a ferry to, and a speedboat back, so you can have the best of both worlds.
Where to Stay in Koh Larn?
If you are planning to stay overnight (or a couple of nights) then there are 2 places that I would recommend.
PAUSE Resort & Bar
The rooms at PAUSE have a unique minimalistic and industrial design
“Just Chill, Play N’ Fun” is their motto and it shows. This resort appeals to the visitors who are looking to relax in the evening with a couple of beers and live music, if you can relate to that then this place is definitely for you.
PAUSE is also the place that my partner and I stayed at when we went to Koh Larn. The rooms were clean and the staff was really friendly, even giving us a free ride to the pier on our checkout day.
Google Maps Rating: 4.2 / 5
Location: 12.913843, 100.783825, ถนนหาดนวล Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri
Pros:
Minimal and stylish room designs
Good for nightlife plus live music during the evening
Can request for a free personal grill if you want to have a BBQ
Cons:
The music goes on until around midnight. And you can hear the music clearly in your room
Rooms are quite small
Blue Sky Koh Larn Resort
The rooms at Blue Sky makes you feel like you are in a faraway European costal paradise
Blue Sky was another option I’ve considered, it was a little bit pricier than PAUSE but the atmosphere and location more than made up for it. I love the blue and white aesthetic, it sort of remind me about the Santorini island’s in Greece.
Google Maps Rating: 4.5 / 5
Location: 49/3 หมู่ที่ 7 Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Pros:
Bright aesthetic and design, and the rooms are all very clean
Friendly staff that will help you with anything
Good location, located near Tawaen Beach and a couple of cafe’s and restaurants
Cons:
Not much to complain about, WiFi could be a bit better but that’s about it
Do I Just Walk Around the Island?
Sure.
Well, you can walk around but it’s not very convenient.
Being in a small island the transportation isn’t very convenient but there are some options to get around.
In addition to the below methods you can also bring your own electric scooters on the ferry, as long as it is small and portable.
Rent a Motorbike
Motorbikes are fun but remember to be safe when riding one!
The most popular way is to rent a motorbike. There are stations dotted all around popular attractions such as Tawaen Beach or the pier (Naban Pier) that you arrive at.
This is the most convenient method of transport as you have the freedom to go anywhere whenever you please.
Pricing (Includes Fuel):
Rental - 200 THB (5.75 USD)
All Day (24) Rental - 300 THB (8.75 USD)
Local Rod Song Thaew - Pick Up Trucks
You can’t miss the charming blue color of this rod song thaew
The local pick up trucks are painted in bright blue, they are located near the island’s Temple (Wat) which is about 100 meters from the pier.
However you can also just wave at the driver and hop on whenever you see one passing by. Be sure to tell the driver your drop off location first and pay when you get off.
Pricing: Varies by location and distance but you can expect to pay no more than 40 THB (1.20 USD) per trip.
The Lucious Beaches of Koh Larn
Koh Larn’s beaches are often quiet and peaceful with little tourists
There are 6 main beaches and a few smaller ones dotted all over Koh Larn.
Beaches aren’t all just about sitting idly on a beach chair and playing in the water, there are plenty of restaurants and bars as well as places where you can spend the entire day doing some water activities.
If you are already located in Pattaya, it may be easier to just enjoy a day trip to Koh Larn and enjoy a full day’s worth of activities.
Tawaen Beach
Tawaen Beach is the most busiest amongst the 6 main beaches
Tawaen beach is the most popular amongst the main beaches, with over 20 restaurants and bars dotted along it’s beach front. This 700 meter wide beach is located near the Naban Pier and so you can expect it to be crowded most of the time.
Features: 700 meters of beach, 20+ restaurants, plenty of souvenir shops, a few resorts
Activities: Jet Ski, Banana Boat, Glass Bottom Kayak, Underwater Diving
Tien Beach
Look at these majestic creatures!
Tien Beach is be most scenic beach out of the main 6. To enter the main area you’ll have to walk across a narrow wood and cement bridge where the waves are clashing onto the rocks below.
A fun and quirky feature of this beach is that there is a geese farm located further down. The owner will let the geese roam around the beach at around 5:00pm and you can buy a basket of lettuce to feed the geese.
Features: 400 meters of beach, 8 restaurants, Geese
Activities: Jet Ski, Banana Boat
Samae Beach
The unique solar cell building overlooks the beach
A smaller beach compared to Tawaen but also quieter due to it being located on the other side of the island. The breeze here is cooler.
Features: 500 meters of beach, 10+ restaurants, plenty of souvenir shops,
Activites: Jet Ski, Banana Boat, more…
Nong Riaw Seafood Restaurant
My favorite restaurant on Koh Larn is definitely Nong Riaw, it’s just so good!
Nong Riaw Restaurant is no doubt the best place to get Thai style seafood. My partner and I came here after a long day of travelling and beach frolicking. The food was fresh and delicious, and the price was totally fair considering it’s in a touristy area.
If you are bored of Western style food and want something more authentic then Nong Riaw Restaurant is definitely for you. Just note that the wait times for the food can be a bit long.
Koh Larn Nightlife
The nightlife is chill and relaxing, good vibes all around
Nightlife at Koh Larn is unfortunately very limited but there are a few bars that play live music where you can sit down and enjoy a couple of drinks.
PAUSE LAND
If you are staying at PAUSE Resort & Bar then you are in luck as this place is considered one of the best bars on the island. Live music from evening to late at night, beers and cocktails, and a generally good atmosphere makes this a worthy place to chill and hangout with old and new friends.
One-More Bar
While PAUSE is a bit more laid back and chill, One-More Bar is vibrant and exciting. Located next to a nightclub, One-More serves great cocktails paired with live music and plenty of neon lights. A great place to meet new people and to dance the night away.
Example Itinerary
Day Trip (Pattaya to Koh Larn)
9:00am - Travel to Naban Pier, Koh Larn from Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya
10:00am - Explore Naban Pier, full of restaurants, cafe’s, and souvenir/clothing shops
12:00pm - Have lunch at Nong Riaw Restaurant
2:00pm - Head over to a Beach of your choosing: Tawean Beach, Tien Beach, Samae Beach
6:00pm - Nightlife at PAUSE Bar or One-More Bar
Overnight Trip (Bangkok to Koh Larn)
Day 1
9:00am - Travel to Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya from Mo Chit Bus Terminal, Bangkok
11:30am - Travel to Naban Pier, Koh Larn from Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya
12:00pm - Check in at your hotel and have lunch at Nong Riaw Restaurant
2:00pm - Head over to a Beach of your choosing: Tawean Beach, Tien Beach, Samae Beach
6:00pm - Nightlife at PAUSE Bar or One-More Bar
Day 2
9:00am - Breakfast at your hotel or one of the many cafe’s
10:00am - Rent a bike to ride around the island or head over to a Beach of your choosing: Tawean Beach, Tien Beach, Samae Beach
11:00am - Checkout of your hotel and head home
Looking for Things to Do in Pattaya?
Colosseum Show - Spectacular acts and costumes by ladyboy performers
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden - An award winning garden showcasing nature’s finest flora
The Sanctuary of Truth - Explore Thailand’s famous ornate wooden temple
Discounted Tickets - Browse a variety of attractions, tours, and transports all for a great price
Useful Resources for Traveling in Thailand
Tourism Information - All the information you need when traveling in Thailand
4G/5G SIM Card - 8 days, 15GB, Important for staying connected while in Thailand
Private Airport Transfers - Transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city without worry
Best Bangkok Hostels - A list of the best hostels to stay for cheap and meet new friends
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