Overview of U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport

U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport, code UTP, serves Thailand's eastern seaboard, including Pattaya and Rayong. It is a joint civil and military airfield. Alongside passenger flights, it is home to the Royal Thai Navy's First Air Wing. For travellers heading to the beaches of the east coast, it can save the long road trip from Bangkok.

Location: Between Rayong and Pattaya

The airport is in Ban Chang district, Rayong province. It sits about 50 km south of central Pattaya and around 140 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Terminal and Facilities at U-Tapao

Passenger traffic is modest, so the terminal is usually calm and easy to move through. It is part of the government's Eastern Economic Corridor plans, and a long-term expansion, including a second runway, has been approved to turn the area into a larger aviation hub.

Airlines and Routes at U-Tapao Airport

Bangkok Airways runs regular domestic flights from U-Tapao to Koh Samui and Phuket. Other domestic and international services come and go with the seasons, and charter flights also use the airport. Check the current timetable when you search.

Getting from U-Tapao to Pattaya and Rayong

• Taxi or private car: The most direct way to hotels in Pattaya, Rayong or Sattahip.
• Bus: Bus services link the airport with Pattaya and with Bangkok's main airports.
• Rental car: Handy for exploring the coast at your own pace.

Attractions Near U-Tapao Airport

Pattaya's beaches, Walking Street and the Sanctuary of Truth are within easy reach. Rayong offers quieter beaches and ferries to Koh Samet, while Sattahip has viewpoints and navy-run beaches. Fruit orchards around Rayong are popular in the harvest season.

Tips for Flying from U-Tapao

Because U-Tapao is also a navy base, photography around military areas is restricted, so follow the signs. Arrange your transfer before you land, as ground transport is thinner than at Bangkok's big airports. If you are starting from Bangkok, allow plenty of road time.

Flying into U-Tapao also avoids the busy Bangkok-to-Pattaya highway, which can be slow on weekends and public holidays. Many travellers pair a Samui or Phuket hop from U-Tapao with a beach stay on the east coast.

Book your flight from U-Tapao on Traveloka and head for the coast.