💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Pattaya: card acceptance by area, where to find ATMs, how to pay for baht buses and ferries, and what to carry for Walking Street and the markets. For Thailand-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order THB → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Pattaya?
Yes, for most day-to-day spending. Pattaya's nightlife strips, street food stalls, and local transport are heavily cash-based. Shopping malls and mid-range restaurants accept cards, but the beach-town economy runs on baht. Carry at least ฿1,000–2,000 when heading out for the day, and significantly more if you plan an evening on Walking Street.
Where You Will Need Cash
Walking Street bars, clubs, and street vendors. Baht buses (songthaews) for getting around. Street food vendors along Beach Road and Soi Buakhao. Motorbike taxis. Koh Larn beach vendors and restaurants. Markets including the Pattaya Floating Market. Massage parlors and smaller spas. Tips everywhere.
Where Cards Work Fine
Shopping malls like Central Pattaya, Terminal 21, and Royal Garden Plaza. Hotel bookings and resort restaurants. Chain restaurants and international brands. Supermarkets (Big C, Tops, Lotus's). Organized tour operators for island trips and excursions. 7-Eleven and convenience stores accept cards for purchases over ฿300. Card acceptance is good in Pattaya's commercial areas, but the entertainment and beach economy is firmly cash territory.
Paying by Card in Pattaya
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at malls, hotels, and larger restaurants. Contactless payments work well at newer terminals, and many 7-Elevens accept tap-to-pay. Amex has limited acceptance outside international hotels. The divide in Pattaya is clear: anything tourist-commercial (malls, resorts, tour desks) takes cards, while the street-level economy (bars, food stalls, transport) wants cash.
Central Pattaya & Beach Road
The main tourist strip running along the bay. Hotels and resorts all accept cards. Beach Road restaurants are mixed: larger ones take cards, street-side spots want cash. Beach chair and umbrella vendors are cash-only (฿100–200). The Central Pattaya mall and nearby shopping is fully card-friendly. Street food vendors along the beachfront promenade are all cash.
Walking Street
Pattaya's famous nightlife strip. Most bars and clubs prefer cash, even the larger ones. Some accept cards for big tabs, but expect a surcharge. Street vendors selling food and drinks are cash-only. Cover charges at go-go bars are always cash. Budget ฿2,000–5,000+ in cash for a night out. ATMs are scattered along the street but charge ฿220 foreign fees.
Soi Buakhao & Second Road
A busy area popular with longer-stay visitors. Restaurants are a mix of card and cash. Bars along Soi Buakhao mostly prefer cash. The Avenue shopping complex accepts cards. Exchange booths on Second Road offer excellent rates. Local markets near Soi Buakhao are cash-only. A good area for ATMs from major Thai banks.
Jomtien Beach
Quieter and more family-oriented than Central Pattaya. Resorts and condo restaurants accept cards. Jomtien Beach Road restaurants are a mix, with larger seafood places taking cards. Beach vendors and massage ladies on the sand are cash-only. Supermarkets (Tops, Lotus's) take cards. Less nightlife and more residential, so card acceptance is slightly better than Walking Street areas.
Terminal 21 & North Pattaya
The Terminal 21 mall is Pattaya's newest major shopping center with excellent card acceptance throughout. The food court uses a prepaid card system (cash to load, refundable). Restaurants in and around the mall all take cards. North Pattaya is more developed and commercial, making it the easiest area for cashless spending.
Where to Exchange Money in Pattaya
Pattaya has some of Thailand's best exchange rates at licensed booths. The key is knowing where to go and where to avoid.
Best Exchange Locations
Second Road exchange booths consistently offer the best rates in Pattaya. Look for licensed booths with electronic rate boards. Beach Road also has good options near the malls. Central Pattaya mall and Terminal 21 have exchange counters inside with competitive rates. SuperRich (green or orange) branches offer excellent rates when available.
⚠ Where to Avoid Exchanging
U-Tapao Airport exchange counters have the worst rates. Hotel lobbies charge significant markups. Unlicensed street exchangers near Walking Street are risky. Always compare rates at two or three booths before exchanging large amounts. The difference between a good booth and a bad one can be 2–3% of your money.
ATMs in Pattaya
For Thailand-wide ATM advice, see the Thailand guide.
Look for these logos. These Thai banks have the widest ATM networks in Pattaya.
Bangkok Bank
Kasikorn
SCB
Krungthai
KrungsriATM Locations
Beach Road: ATMs every few hundred meters, especially near hotels and malls. Second Road: Multiple bank branches with ATMs. Walking Street: A few ATMs near the entrance and along the strip (busy at night, expect queues). Jomtien: ATMs near the main intersection and at Tops supermarket. Terminal 21: ATMs on the ground floor. All Thai ATMs charge ฿220 per foreign withdrawal. Withdraw the maximum (฿20,000–30,000) to minimize per-transaction fees.
Baht Buses, Motorbikes & Getting Around
Baht Buses (Songthaews)
The main way to get around Pattaya. Shared route: ฿10 per person on the Beach Road to Second Road loop. Just hop on and press the buzzer when you want to stop, then pay the driver. Private charter: negotiate before getting in, typically ฿100–300 depending on distance. Always cash. Drivers do not accept cards or apps. Have small bills ready, as drivers may not have change for ฿1,000 notes.
Motorbike Taxis
Riders in orange or colored vests wait at designated stands throughout the city. Short rides cost ฿30–100 (cash only). Negotiate the fare before getting on. Popular for getting to and from Soi Buakhao, up and down the hills, and to places off the main loop.
Grab & Bolt
Grab and Bolt operate in Pattaya but with limited availability compared to Bangkok. Local transport operators resist ride-hailing apps, so you may wait longer or find no drivers. When available, you can pay through the app with a linked card. Use these as a backup, not your primary transport plan.
Koh Larn Ferry
The public ferry from Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn costs ฿30 per person each way (cash at the pier). The journey takes about 45 minutes. Speedboats cost ฿1,500–2,500 for a private charter (cash, negotiable). On Koh Larn, motorbike taxis and songthaews between beaches cost ฿40–100 (cash only).
Tipping in Pattaya
The Thailand guide covers general norms. In Pattaya: Restaurants: 10% if no service charge is included. Bars on Walking Street: ฿20–50 per drink for bartenders, more if table service. Massage: ฿50–100 for a standard Thai massage. Hotel housekeeping: ฿20–50 per day. Baht bus drivers: no tip expected on shared rides. Always tip in cash.
Prices in Pattaya
Pattaya is one of Thailand's more affordable beach destinations, cheaper than the islands but pricier than Chiang Mai. Prices vary enormously between local spots and tourist-facing businesses. Eating and drinking where locals go can cut your costs in half.
| Item | Price (THB) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Baht bus (shared) | ฿10 | $0.30 |
| Street food meal | ฿40–80 | $1.15–2.30 |
| Beer at a bar | ฿70–150 | $2–4.30 |
| Thai massage (1 hour) | ฿200–300 | $5.70–8.60 |
| Koh Larn ferry (one way) | ฿30 | $0.85 |
| Beach chair and umbrella | ฿100–200 | $2.85–5.70 |
| Mid-range dinner for two | ฿500–1,000 | $14.30–28.60 |
| Scooter rental (per day) | ฿200–300 | $5.70–8.60 |
| Speedboat to Koh Larn | ฿1,500–2,500 | $42.85–71.45 |
| Walking Street night out | ฿2,000–5,000+ | $57–143+ |
| Budget hotel (per night) | ฿500–1,200 | $14.30–34.30 |
| Floating Market entry | ฿200 | $5.70 |
USD estimates based on approximately ฿35 = $1. Rates fluctuate.
Day Trips from Pattaya
Koh Larn (Coral Island)
Pattaya's most popular day trip, just 45 minutes by public ferry. Everything on the island is cash. Beach vendors, restaurants, motorbike taxis, and water sports are all paid in baht. Withdraw enough cash before you go. A few ATMs exist near Na Ban pier but do not rely on them. Budget ฿500–1,500 per person for a full day (food, transport, activities).
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
A sprawling botanical garden about 15 km south of Pattaya. Entry is ฿500 per adult (cash or card at the ticket office). Getting there by taxi costs ฿300–500 from central Pattaya. The on-site restaurant accepts cards, but souvenir shops prefer cash. Most visitors book through a tour operator (card payment available).
Sanctuary of Truth
An impressive all-wood temple on the northern end of Pattaya. Entry is ฿500 per adult (cash or card). Getting there by baht bus or Grab costs ฿100–200. The small market outside is cash-only. A half-day trip that combines well with lunch in North Pattaya.
Pattaya Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking Street | ❌ Cash preferred | ฿2,000–5,000+ | Bars, clubs, street food |
| Shopping malls | ✅ Cards accepted | Food courts may need cash | Central, Terminal 21 |
| Jomtien Beach | ❌ Mostly cash | ฿500–1,000 | Beach vendors, restaurants |
| Koh Larn | ❌ Cash only | ฿500–1,500 | Withdraw before ferry |
| Baht bus | ❌ Cash only | ฿10 shared | Small bills recommended |
| Soi Buakhao bars | ❌ Cash preferred | ฿500–1,500 | Some restaurants take cards |
| Street food | ❌ Cash only | ฿40–80/meal | Beach Road, Soi Buakhao |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Pattaya?
Yes, for many situations. Street food vendors, baht buses, markets, and smaller bars are cash-only. Shopping malls, hotels, and mid-range restaurants accept cards. Carry at least ฿1,000–2,000 when heading out for the day.
Is Walking Street cash only?
Mostly yes. Bars, clubs, and street vendors on Walking Street overwhelmingly prefer cash. A few larger venues accept cards, but expect to pay in baht for drinks, cover charges, and food. Bring at least ฿2,000–5,000 for a night out.
How much does a baht bus cost?
Shared baht buses on the Beach Road/Second Road loop cost ฿10 per person. Private charters run ฿100–300 depending on distance. Always pay in cash with small bills.
Where are the best exchange booths?
Second Road and Beach Road have the best-rate licensed exchange booths. Malls like Central Pattaya and Terminal 21 also have competitive exchange counters. Avoid the airport and hotel lobbies.
Can I use Grab in Pattaya?
Grab and Bolt operate in Pattaya but availability is limited compared to Bangkok. Local transport operators resist ride-hailing apps, so rides can be hard to find. Have cash ready for baht buses and motorbike taxis as backup.
Are there ATMs on Koh Larn?
A few ATMs exist near the main pier at Na Ban, but they occasionally run out of cash on busy weekends. Withdraw in Pattaya before taking the ferry. Beach vendors and restaurants on the island are almost entirely cash-only.
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