Suvarnabhumi · BKK
The main international gateway — most long-haul and full-service flights land here.
To Pattaya: ≈120 km · ~2 hr. Best for: Most visitors.
Getting there by air
Which airport for Koh Larn & Pattaya?
There’s no airport on the island — you fly to Pattaya’s region, then take the ferry. Three airports can get you there; here’s the honest trade-off between them.
Updated 16 June 2026 · We visit. We don't sell placement.
Quick answer
For Koh Larn you fly to the Pattaya region, then take the 40฿ ferry from Bali Hai Pier. Most people land at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) — the main international gateway, about two hours from Pattaya by direct bus. Don Mueang (DMK) is the budget-airline airport, a little farther out. U-Tapao (UTP) is closest at about 45 minutes, but only a limited route network serves it. Unless a U-Tapao route fits your trip, Suvarnabhumi is the safe choice.
- Main gateway
- Suvarnabhumi · ~2 hr
- Budget flights
- Don Mueang · ~2½–3 hr
- Closest
- U-Tapao · ~45 min
- Then
- 40฿ ferry to the island
Side by side
The three airports compared
| Airport | To Pattaya | Getting to Pattaya | What flies there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi BKK · Bangkok | ≈120 km · ~2 hr | Direct Roong Reuang Coach bus to Pattaya (~2 hr, ~130–190฿) from Level 1, near Exit 8; or a taxi/transfer (≈1,200–1,800฿). | The main international gateway — most long-haul and full-service flights land here. | Most visitors |
| Don Mueang DMK · Bangkok | ≈160 km · ~2½–3 hr | Direct airport bus to Pattaya (~167฿, ~2½–3 hr, about 6 a day); or transfer to Ekkamai/Mo Chit and take a Pattaya coach. | Bangkok’s low-cost hub — AirAsia, Nok, Thai Lion and other regional Asian carriers. | Budget & regional flights |
| U-Tapao UTP · Pattaya–Rayong | ≈40 km · ~45 min | Minivan, taxi or hotel transfer into Pattaya (~45 min). No train, and no direct public bus. | Closest airport, but a limited route network — a handful of mostly domestic and regional flights, and routes change seasonally; check what flies from your origin. | The fastest arrival — if a route fits |
Distances, fares, routes and times verified mid-2026 and rounded — airline routes in particular change often, so check current schedules. Highlighted row is the default choice for most visitors.
The verdict
Which one to pick
Don Mueang · DMK
Bangkok’s low-cost hub — AirAsia, Nok, Thai Lion and other regional Asian carriers.
To Pattaya: ≈160 km · ~2½–3 hr. Best for: Budget & regional flights.
U-Tapao · UTP
Closest airport, but a limited route network — a handful of mostly domestic and regional flights, and routes change seasonally; check what flies from your origin.
To Pattaya: ≈40 km · ~45 min. Best for: The fastest arrival — if a route fits.
Whichever you land at, the island is the same last hop: get to Bali Hai Pier and take the ferry. Starting in the capital? See Bangkok to Koh Larn. Weighing the island against other beaches? Compare Phuket or Koh Samui.
FAQ
Flying-in questions
What is the nearest airport to Koh Larn?
U-Tapao (UTP), the Pattaya–Rayong airport, is the closest — about 40 km and 45 minutes from Pattaya, where the Koh Larn ferry leaves. The catch is that very few airlines fly there, so unless a convenient route exists from your origin, most travellers land at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and take the bus down.
Which airport should I fly into for Pattaya and Koh Larn?
For most people, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) — it has the widest choice of flights and a direct, roughly two-hour bus to Pattaya. If you’re on a budget or regional Asian carrier, Don Mueang (DMK) may be cheaper, though it’s a little farther. U-Tapao (UTP) is closest at about 45 minutes but only serves a few destinations.
Can you fly directly to Pattaya?
Yes — U-Tapao International (UTP) is Pattaya’s own airport, about 45 minutes south of the city. But as of mid-2026 as of mid-2026 only a limited set of routes serve it, so a direct arrival depends entirely on whether a route serves your origin. Otherwise you fly into Bangkok and continue by road.
How do you get from a Bangkok airport to Koh Larn?
In three steps: a bus or transfer from the airport to Pattaya (about 2 hours from Suvarnabhumi, 2½–3 from Don Mueang), a short ride to Bali Hai Pier, then the public ferry to the island (about 40฿, 30–45 minutes). See our Bangkok-to-Koh-Larn guide for the detail.
How far is U-Tapao airport from Pattaya?
About 40 km, or roughly 45 minutes by road in normal traffic — it sits between Pattaya and Rayong. There’s no train; you reach Pattaya by minivan, taxi or a pre-booked transfer, then carry on to Bali Hai Pier for the Koh Larn ferry.