Sailing School Pattaya Base
Getting here
Around Pattaya
Accommodation Options
Airports
Getting to Island Spirit Sailing School Base
Firstly, please review the Google map at out Contacts Page so you know exactly where we are located. The term Pattaya is often used to describe our location but in fact this name is the generic term used for a very large area in and around the actual town of Pattaya. In fact Ocean Marina is located in the neighboring town of Na Jomthien, some 20kms away from down-town Pattaya, so please consider this when booking taxis, accommodation and generally planning your trip.
From Overseas
There are two options, you can fly into one of two Bangkok International airports or you can fly in to Pattaya International airport.
Pattaya International (U-tapao)
There is an ever-growing list of Countries from which you can fly directly in to Pattaya airport including Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. This is without doubt to most low stress way of getting to Pattaya as the Pattaya Airport is small and easy to travers, often taking just a few minutes to pass through airport formalities.
The Airport itself is located approximately 30 minutes by taxi away from the Island Spirit Office at Ocean Marina.
Bangkok Airports
Suvarnabhumi Airport
This is Thailands primary International Airport and it is the closest of the two Bangkok International airports, so if you are flying into Bangkok and have the choice, this would be the one to choose. There are numerous ways to get from the airport to Pattaya but the two most popular options are private taxi, where you should expect to pay between 1000 and 2000 baht depending on exactly where you are traveling to in Pattaya.
The second option is the Airport bus, this operates hourly and has stops in several locations around the more popular locations in Jomthien and Pattaya. The Cost is between 200 and 300 Baht.
Don Muang Airport
This is Thailands original airport, it now caters for many of the Budget Airlines so remains popular. Don Muang Airport is located on the opposite side of Bangkok compared to Pattaya so in order to travel to Pattaya you will need to pass through Bangkok, which can add several hours to the trip (can be fun too). By private taxi you would expect to pay between 2500 and 3000 baht to get to Pattaya, alternatively you can take a shuttle bus between the two airports and then on to Pattaya via the Airport bus as noted above.
Accommodation
At our Pattaya Base onshore accommodation is not included in the price of your course and you will need to stay ashore at some point no matter which course you are planning to take. Some courses have more overnight periods on the yacht than others so please check the course schedule for details to know exactly when to book you accommodation and for how long.
Staying away From The Marina
If you chose to stay away from the Marina please make plans for transport to and from the Marina, although Pattaya is a bustling tourist town taxis remain relatively complicated to arrange largely due to language issues and they can be expensive.
Recommended
Island Spirit Sailing School recommends the below options as they are close, generally walking distance, to our location at Ocean Marina, however, there are literally hundreds of options ranging from 5 star spa resorts through to super low budget bungalows.
Travel Time
If you plan to stay Down-town in the thick of things also keep in mind distance and traffic, the Marina is located approximately 20km form the core down-town area of Pattaya and with morning traffic that can stretch out to an hour of driving time each way quite easily.