Most cruise ships dock at Laem Chabang International Terminal, a large industrial port about 30 km north of Pattaya. You cannot walk out — transport is mandatory.
💡 Pro move: Allow 1.5–2 hours to return to the port in afternoon traffic — the highway to Laem Chabang backs up badly. Never cut it close.
Almost all cruise ships use the deep-water commercial terminal at Laem Chabang; direct tendering into Pattaya Bay is rare and reserved for smaller vessels.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, MSC, Costa) | Laem Chabang International Terminal, Si Racha📍 | Docked |
| Small luxury / expedition ships (occasional) | Bali Hai Pier, South Pattaya Beach📍 | Tendered |
Pattaya packs iconic temples, a coral island escape, and lush botanical gardens into one shore day — pick one big highlight or mix beach with culture.
A 105-meter all-wooden temple covered in intricate Buddhist and Hindu carvings — still under construction after 40 years. Hard hats provided. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
Find Sanctuary of Truth tours →45 minutes by public ferry from Bali Hai Pier (note: ferry departs from Pattaya, not from Laem Chabang). Turquoise water, white sand, and snorkeling — the beach escape Pattaya's main shore can't offer.
Find Koh Larn island tours →A 500-acre award-winning park with French garden terraces, dinosaur valley, Stonehenge replica, and daily Thai cultural shows. Great for families.
Find Nong Nooch garden tours →A 109-meter Buddha image laser-etched in gold leaf onto a massive limestone cliff, surrounded by serene gardens. Free to visit and genuinely impressive.
Find Khao Chi Chan tours →An 18-meter golden Buddha atop Pratumnak Hill with sweeping views over Pattaya Bay. Peaceful, free, and easy to combine with the nearby Pattaya Viewpoint.
Find Big Buddha Pattaya tours →A quieter, cleaner beach just south of Pattaya city, popular with families. Pair with a seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant — grilled giant prawns, crab curry, or mango sticky rice.
Find Pattaya beach & food tours →Pattaya isn't a walkable port — you'll need a taxi or songthaew to reach attractions — but once in the city, Beach Road and the hilltop temple area reward an easy stroll.
Stroll south along Beach Road past the crescent beach, then take a blue songthaew up Pratumnak Hill to Wat Phra Yai and the Pattaya Viewpoint for the classic bay panorama.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →After visiting the Sanctuary of Truth, walk south along the beach path past fishing boats toward the Naklua fish market for a glimpse of the local working waterfront.
Climate normals for Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 86°F / 30°C | 73°F / 23°C | 8 | 6:42 AM | 6:09 PM |
| Feb | 87°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | 8 | 6:39 AM | 6:22 PM |
| Mar | 89°F / 32°C | 78°F / 26°C | 12 | 6:24 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Apr | 91°F / 33°C | 80°F / 27°C | 13 | 6:04 AM | 6:28 PM |
| May | 90°F / 32°C | 81°F / 27°C | 20 | 5:51 AM | 6:34 PM |
| Jun | 88°F / 31°C | 81°F / 27°C | 19 | 5:50 AM | 6:43 PM |
| Jul | 87°F / 31°C | 80°F / 27°C | 23 | 5:58 AM | 6:46 PM |
| Aug | 87°F / 31°C | 80°F / 27°C | 22 | 6:04 AM | 6:37 PM |
| Sep | 86°F / 30°C | 78°F / 26°C | 24 | 6:05 AM | 6:17 PM |
| Oct | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 25 | 6:06 AM | 5:57 PM |
| Nov | 87°F / 31°C | 76°F / 24°C | 14 | 6:15 AM | 5:46 PM |
| Dec | 87°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | 7 | 6:30 AM | 5:52 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Pre-booked private sedan or minivan from Laem Chabang Port to Pattaya city center (~26 km). Fixed price includes tolls; book in advance to avoid haggling.
Metered taxis are available outside the terminal but many drivers prefer a negotiated flat fare around ฿1,200 for the port-to-Pattaya run. Agree on price before departure.
Grab and Bolt both operate in Pattaya for rides within the city. App-based pricing is transparent; pickup at the port may require walking to the exit gate.
Shared pickup trucks circulate within Pattaya city for very low fares. Not practical from Laem Chabang Port directly, but perfect for getting around once in town.
Upcoming cruises that call at Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.