FLY FROM U-TAPAO PATTAYA AIRPORT | A real option in 2024?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- The airport near Pattaya & Rayong, U-TAPAO airport, has been promoted as the airport of the future.
It's going to be served by a high-speed rail link joining Bangkok's Suvanabhumi and Don Mueang Airports. Plus it's only a short drive from Pattaya.
But what about now, in 2024? Is it a realistic option for travelling around Thailand or beyond?
What are the transport links like, and what are the facilities at the airport? Also, does it cost more to fly from U-tapao?
I try to answer all those questions, AND give you a top tip to avoid getting ripped off if you are flying to Phuket!
Bravo for doing this vid. I was just looking into this myself as an option in the area. I haven’t seen one like this out there so it is greatly appreciated. Just wish they would expand flights and market it more to encourage flyers to use it.
Many thanks! I did fly from this airport a couple of years ago and they were talking about adding more destinations and frequency. But, for whatever reason, it just hasn't happened so far. In fact, the number of concessions at the airport has actually dropped. Several have closed. It's a shame because the potential is definitely there!
A friend flew to Chaing Mai back early 2019. So be interesting to see how much it has changed since then. I have driven past a few times, never stopped and looked. But Bangkok schedules and pricing and variation of airports around Thailand is always going to win at this moment. Will need a few more adjustments before it can compete really.
Thanks, Paul. Although I was just looking at a photo taken this week at Suvanabhumi and the crowds were pretty crazy. I'd pay a bit of a premium just to avoid the crowds. But as an airport, it doesn't look like it's going to take off just yet...(I know you like quality humour. Unfortunately, out of stock)
Did it again, another fantastic informative video… great stuff 😊
Many thanks, mate! I try my best. Glad it was of interest!
@@balloonchaser I wrote my comment before reading the other comments and realising everyone was saying more or less the same words.... you deserve the praise.
@@jeffrussell488 It's obviously nice if a few people say the same thing, but I do really appreciate each and every comment. Thanks!
Nice 👍
Thanks, mate! We keep trying!
Brilliant overview of U-Tapao and number of flights and prices BC. Seems odd to have an airport 45 minutes from Pattaya, when Suvanapum(sp?) in only 2 hours. When the electric high speed rail is complete it should be a better option. I will likely be 80 years old but ready to take a ride. 5555 Thanks again BC, informative and concise is what I like.
Thanks, Ric. I guess it's close enough to the others to give extra capacity for Bangkok travellers. We have 3 or 4 "London" Airports in the UK, some of which are fairly close to each other. Not sure if that's the same in the States? Obviously Utapao is a military base but they decided to develop it for economic reasons. Whether we ever see it's completion, who knows? Here's hoping!
You are new here I would guess so you get a pass . The Thai ECC, is a typical Thai thing of an acronym describing a fancy western concept ,they love it
The eastern provinces (changwats) came up with this concept , incorporating Chonburi ,Rayong and Chachoengsao
'staff' always friendly ,they have a job ,a good job but they are genuinely a smiling nation ,Land of Smiles etc
Thanks, for your comment. I'm not new here, so certainly don't get any free pass. I just describe things as they are presented by those in charge. Whether I'll ever see half the things they promise is a moot point. But the video is more about whether Utapao is a realistic alternative to the Bangkok Airports in 2024. For me it was, and I'd use it again. Cheers again for the comment.
I just booked FlyDubai from my capital (Ljubljana, Slovenia), via Dubai, straight to Utapao. Never been there, let's see. With the flight prices still being sky-high, at least I get to save some for the taxi ride 😊
Hey, that's really exciting! Come back and let us know how it works out for you. Hope you have a great trip!
Very informative video as usual Peter. Thanks for doing all the legwork and making it easy for others. Like Rick mentioned in his post, I’ll also probably be 80 by the time this comes into fruition.
Thanks, Phil. I've come to the conclusion that the only thing that is really "high speed" these days is the ageing process! Let's hope they hurry up completing the high-speed rail links!
The AOT must have spent a few quid on that airport already. I flew from UTP a few times to USM. It was also cheaper then with Bangkok Airways but the flights were always half full. Back then there were about three wooden check in desks and only a small restaurant on the left as you entered the airport. I liked it because there were no queues, the restaurant had cheap beer and it was quite close to where I live in North Chonburi. Down the 331 and you were there. Good video mate.
Thanks a lot, Toby. I still like the fact that it's relatively quiet there. I can't stand the crowds at Suvanabhumi really! It was never that difficult to get to, but now with the 7 extension it's a breeze. And obviously if the train gets built then the whole region benefits. Bangkok Airways fares are steep at the moment, but then all fares have taken a big hike! Thanks again.
Another informative and well presented video BC ! I have never been to U-Tapao airport before. Looks very relaxed which would suit me. We often go between Pattaya and Chiang Mai so maybe we will give it a go in the future. Cheers mate 👍🏼🍻🇦🇺
Thanks, SG. I'm pretty sure you'd like it. It's really as relaxed as it looks on the video. OK, so the flight was full or almost full, but for an airport it's a miniscule amount of traffic. The staff seemed almost pleased to see you. And if you were travelling with the family, I think it might be ideal! Let me know if you try it!
Great info once again. There are also cheap & good street restaurants, only 100m from the U-Tapao terminal's main door.
Many thanks for the comment! I wasn't aware of the street restaurants, so cheers for the additional info. I'll try to look out for those next time as the food choices were a bit lacking inside the airport!
Great video. I’ve looked a few times at flying into UTP from England Via Dubai. But it’s always double the price, plus the leg from Dubai is Fly Dubai, on a narrow body plane and it’s basically a low cost carrier. As much as I really want to try that flight I can’t justify the cost plus I don’t think it would be a comfy 6 hour flight
Many thanks for your comment. I was thinking about whether that Dubai link would be useful for people coming from Europe or America. But if the price isn't competitive, it becomes a bit of a non-starter. That's a shame because the theory sounds interesting! Thanks for the info!
Been there in 2010
I guess it's changed a bit since then?
Very slick video. Don’t change how you present videos but IMHO you are one of the better TH-cam guys in Pattaya. Did you know that there’s an American TH-camr from Pattaya who discovered his girlfriend is contributing to PM2.5 and is trying to play it down now? He will of course remain nameless, but it goes to show that you have to plan what you are going to do before you do it, else things unexpected might turn around and bite you in the butt, as our American friends are want to say.
Keep up the good work.
Many thanks for the compliment, Tony. It's nice to hear. I'm trying desperately to avoid being on of the youtubers that spouts hot air and contributes to the global warming problem;-). One of my first videos was about PM2.5. Government should do something about it. People want blue skies and seas on their holidays, I reckon. Thanks again!
The last time got a flight from U - Tapao airport down to Phuket there was no motorway & the road into the airport was still dirt 2018 lots of pineapple farms 🍋near U_Tapao
Thanks, Nathan. That actually sounds great, to be honest. Much more adventurous. I didn't know about the pineapple farms. Hopefully, they're still there?
@@balloonchasernowadays there are very less, they changed for cassava fields.
@@jackhalle859 That's a shame. I quite like a fresh pineapple 🍍!
The main issue with Utapao as an option is that it supposedly will be connected by fast rail at some undefined point in the distant future. Aside from that, the transport does suck. It is very overpriced and only marginally cheaper than getting to BKK from Pattaya despite being significantly closer. I used to fly from there to China and Malayasia, That was the old terminal though, the one with the worst toilet in Thailand and buses to all planes.
Thanks, David. I do actually believe the high speed link will happen but as you say the exact date will always be a moveable feast. Terminal 2 is the new one and sounds much better. I don't really know why they make you get on a bus to go to the planes. Must add in potential delays for the operators. I find it a bit annoying tbh. But to end on a positive; decent toilets!
U-Tapao is very near Sukhumvit road, easy to go quickly to Pattaya or Rayong by a mini-bus cheaper on Sukhumvit road.
It is a pitty that no ferries are running across the gulf any more. Before Thailand thinks of more tourists should solve the massive airpolution first
Thanks. I agree. I made a video about the problems of PM2.5 and they've only got worse since then. Many people, including me, miss some of the ferries that have now been cancelled. Hopefully, some new ones will be launched in the future.
Dreamer 😂
Excellent 👍. You can be half way to Suwannapoom by the time you get to U-Tapao. Which airline flies to Dubai? (Answer is in another comment 😊.)
Thanks, Andrew. Utapao is definitely quick to get to if you are starting from Pattaya. Actually, I wouldn't mind giving the dubai flight a go. And Fly Dubai is not a bad name for an airline that, er, flies to dubai!
@@balloonchaser I'm pretty sure all viewers would be bigly up for that, and any visa run destinations that manifest themselves.
We're planning 3 month trips (2 month e-visa in on French passport, then "visa run" to Siem Reap, KL or Jakarta for long weekend, then back-in for 1 month visa waiver on UK passport - once a year 15/6 to 15/9 - Pattaya/Jomtien low season - stay Pratumnak).
No immigration trips, but leaving kit in Thailand for trip outside. Only question is facial recog at airport... 🤔. Guesswork really.
Keep it coming 👍👍.
@andrewrobinson2565 That's fascinating stuff, Andrew. Will you be able to benefit from the government's proposal to grant 90 days visa free travel from Schengen area countries? Obviously, UK passport only people look set to miss out on that. But it does seem like this government has an appetite to make longer visas more accessible along the lines of what they've done with the Chinese. Let me know if you're hanging round Pratumnak anytime. That's also my area. It seems to be changing a lot recently!
@@balloonchaser I hadn't seen the Schengen deal. I'll look it up. That would remove the need for the side trip. Thanks for the heads up. Is that confirmed as a government proposal and not a lobby group proposition? Thanks for these replies.
Always interesting subject matter in your vids, no matter how diverse 👍👍.
First Trip since 2019 will be 2027 as property business and the missus's good old fashioned job precludes the long stay at the moment. Thanks for the meet up offer. It'll be great to exchange stories. All the best 😀👍.
@andrewrobinson2565 This is what I saw in the Bangkok Post.
"The government is hoping for visa-free travel agreements with the Schengen-visa states of Europe and with India, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Monday. He said Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara was working on the Schengen states visa-free agreement, but it would take time.Feb 12, 2024"
Tbh if the PM says it, there's a good chance it will happen, even here! Hopefully, before your planned long trip, at any rate! Sounds promising. Thanks for your support.