How to Travel to Pattaya with Kids

Ranked among Thailand's top beach holiday destinations, Pattaya is a popular location for families with children of all ages. Offering both the young and old a chance to unwind and enjoy the water-bound pursuits of a tropical paradise, Pattaya is also one of the more affordable family vacation hubs in Asia. From exploring what the seaside hamlet has to offer to keeping all of your young ones entertained, here are some tips on how to make the most of a family getaway in Pattaya.

1. Getting There

When it comes to reaching Pattaya, families can either fly in, hop on a train or rent a vehicle for the journey from the Thai capital. Those who wish to fly in straight to the beach hub should know that the U-Tapao Airport is the airport that is nearest to the area and that Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is 120km away. Those who are flying into Bangkok can rent a vehicle to travel the remainder of the way and reach Pattaya in less than two hours or hop on a domestic flight to the U-Tapao Airport. Those based in Bangkok can rent a car or a cab or go to the Eastern Bus Terminal or the Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to board a bus bound for Pattaya. The beach Mecca is also connected to the nation's capital via the railway system and there are daily trips between Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok and the train station in Pattaya.

2. Stay at a Family Friendly Rest

As Pattaya is also a coveted honeymoon hotspot and backpacker's paradise, it is important for families to select a family-oriented rest whether it's the Avani Pattaya Resort or any other Pattaya beach resort. Apart from a beachfront location and on-site amenities that a family holiday requires such as a kiddies' pool, the venue should also afford easy access to the area's top attractions. A well-situated hotel will make travelling around Pattaya a less stressful experience for the parents as well as the children and also make sightseeing less of a hassle and more of an adventure.

3. Hit the Beaches

As the main reason why most tourists head to Pattaya in the first place, your family getaway should also include plenty of days spent splashing around in the town's top beaches. Pattaya beach is not the only white, sandy piece of paradise accessible to families based in Pattaya as Jomtien Beach is an equally spectacular beach where one can go swimming, build sandcastles and enjoy a quiet stroll in the afternoon.

4. Spend the Day at the Cartoon Network

No trip to Pattaya would be complete without a stopover at the Cartoon Network Amazone water park. As the biggest and most popular splash centre in Pattaya, the venue is home to ten themed sections and a whopping 150 water slides. A wave pool and a playground are also part of the landscape at this theme park where kids can also interact with their favourite cartoon characters from the Cartoon Network shows.

5. Go Underwater

Underwater World Pattaya is another child-friendly highlight that should be a part of your sightseeing itinerary. Home to more than five thousand marine species, this impressive aquarium divided into 5 sections also allows visitors to witness sharks and manta rays enjoying their meals during feeding sessions.

6. Shop at the Floating Market

When it comes to unique retail opportunities that families should enjoy in Pattaya, none will be quite as memorable as a shopping tour of the Pattaya Floating Market. Families can hire a paddleboat and explore the confines of this marketplace on the water and purchase everything right off of boat vendors who are selling fruits, vegetables and piping hot plates of Thai food.