8 Best Day Trips From Chon Buri [2026]

Name: Chon Buri
Address: TH

Chon Buri is a coastal province on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard, best known for the resort city of Pattaya and its string of sun-drenched beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. The province blends vibrant beach tourism with industrial heritage, traditional fishing villages, and lush tropical landscapes just 80 km from Bangkok.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

7.5 km offshore

Ko Lan (Coral Island)

Public ferry from Bali Hai Pier (30 THB each way, departs 7–10 AM and noon), or speedboat (300 THB each way)

Ko Lan is Pattaya's premier island escape with six beautiful beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, excellent snorkeling and a relaxed island atmosphere that feels miles from the urban resort. Rent a motorbike on the island to explore all the beaches.

Highlights: Samae Beach snorkeling · Nual Beach (Monkey Beach) · Ta Waen Beach watersports · Ko Lan hilltop viewpoint · fresh seafood lunch on the island

12 km offshore from Si Racha

Ko Si Chang Island

Bus or minivan from Pattaya to Si Racha (40–60 THB), then ferry to Ko Si Chang (50 THB each way, multiple daily departures from Si Racha pier)

A peaceful island with the ruins of King Chulalongkorn's summer palace, a dramatic Chinese cliff temple, quiet beaches and bicycle trails through forested hills. Almost entirely free of foreign tourists — a genuine hidden gem.

Highlights: Chudhadhut Palace ruins · Saan Jao Phaw Khao Yai cliff temple · island bicycle circuit · Hat Sai Kaew beach snorkeling · local seafood lunch

35 km north of Pattaya

Bang Saen Beach & Khao Sam Muk

Bus from Pattaya bus station to Chon Buri city then local bus to Bang Saen (60–80 THB), or taxi/Grab ($8–12 one-way)

Thailand's oldest public beach resort, developed in 1943, with a 3 km sandy beach lined with seafood restaurants and casuarina pines. Combine with a hike up Khao Sam Muk hill for monkey encounters and Gulf panoramas.

Highlights: Bang Saen beach swim · fresh seafood lunch · Khao Sam Muk macaques · panoramic Gulf views · local market at Nong Mon (weekends)

18 km south of Pattaya

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Songthaew from South Pattaya (50 THB), taxi ($5–8), or organized tour buses from Pattaya

A world-renowned 500-acre botanical garden with themed gardens including French, cactus, orchid and topiary sections, plus daily Thai cultural shows with elephant performances and traditional dance at 10 AM and 3 PM.

Highlights: French garden · elephant cultural show · orchid greenhouse · Thai dance performance · car museum · cactus valley

20 km north of Pattaya

Khao Kheow Open Zoo & Night Safari

Taxi or Grab ($10–15 each way); organized tours available from Pattaya

One of Thailand's largest open-concept zoos covering 2,400 forested acres, housing 8,000+ animals in natural-style enclosures. The Friday-Sunday night safari allows a completely different nocturnal wildlife experience.

Highlights: open zoo walk · tram tour · giraffe feeding · night safari (weekends) · tiger and white tiger viewing · snow dome experience

80 km east of Pattaya

Rayong Fruit & Coastal Day Trip

Bus from Pattaya bus station to Rayong (100 THB), or organized day tour

Rayong province east of Pattaya is famous for its fruit orchards (rambutan, durian, mangosteen), quiet beaches and the Rayong Aquarium. A scenic coastal drive passes fruit stalls and traditional fishing villages.

Highlights: Rayong fruit market · durian and rambutan orchards (June-August) · Laem Mae Phim beach · Rayong Aquarium · local seafood lunch

130 km northwest

Bangkok Day Trip

Bus from Pattaya bus station to Bangkok Ekkamai ($3–5, runs every 30-60 min from 5 AM), or private transfer ($40–60 one-way)

Thailand's magnificent capital is just 2 hours from Pattaya, making a day trip genuinely feasible. Focus on one district — the Grand Palace and Wat Pho area, Chatuchak Weekend Market, or the Sukhumvit shopping strip.

Highlights: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew · Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) · Chatuchak Weekend Market (Sat-Sun) · floating markets · MBK and Siam shopping

30 km northeast of Pattaya

Silverlake Vineyard

Taxi or Grab ($8–12 each way); rent a motorbike for a scenic country road ride

An unexpected vineyard in the Chon Buri hills growing Muscat and Shiraz grapes, with wine tasting, a Mediterranean-style restaurant, bicycle tours through the vines and beautiful hilltop views. Best January-February during harvest.

Highlights: vineyard walk · wine and grape juice tasting · bicycle rental through vines · Mediterranean lunch · hilltop Gulf views · grape picking (Jan-Feb)

Trips by distance

How far you can go in a day.

Getting there

Transport options for day trips.

Tours: Organized day tours from Pattaya from $25–60 per person including transport; book through hotels or licensed travel agencies
Private: Private car hire from $50–80/day; excellent for custom itineraries to multiple sites
Public: Buses from Pattaya Bus Station serve Bangkok (every 30 min), Rayong (hourly), and Chon Buri city (frequent); local buses connect to Bang Saen
Rental: Motorbike rental $8–10/day for nearby destinations; car rental from $30–50/day for longer trips

Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Leave for Ko Lan on the 7 AM ferry to get the best beaches before the day-trip crowds arrive

Tip

Ko Si Chang is best on weekdays — weekends see local Thai tourists but is still quieter than Ko Lan

Tip

Book Bangkok return buses in advance at weekends — they fill up quickly

Tip

For Khao Kheow Zoo night safari, arrive by 7:30 PM for the 8 PM opening (Fri-Sun only)

Tip

Nong Nooch cultural show at 3 PM requires arriving by 2 PM to explore the gardens first

Tip

Carry a full water bottle and sunscreen for all outdoor day trips