Bell Travel

Bell Travel Service are a premium coach travel company in Thailand, who were established in 1995 and specialise in running routes between Suvarnabhumi airport, Pattaya and Hua Hin. They offer both shared and private transfers and also offer different types of vehicles to use for journeys. Passengers can choose from their fleet of coaches that seat up to 40 people and mini vans which seat up to 10.

Their drivers have received extensive training and Bell Travel take passenger safety very seriously. Drivers are alcohol tested daily and before taking all journeys to prevent drink driving, and are not allowed to use the phone whilst driving except in the case of emergencies in which case a blue tooth headset should be used.

Coach and van drivers are both expected to obey any and all speed limits, to ensure safety as best as possible on Thailand’s dangerous roads. Coaches are also insured although individual private insurance is also highly recommended.

Bell Travel’s coaches are air-conditioned, no smoking vehicles that are maintained well and serviced frequently to keep to high safety standards.

The vans in the fleet are also air-conditioned and offer a good option for any groups looking for private transfers or people who dislike travelling on larger coaches. The cost of the coach journey between Bangkok and Pattaya is around THB400, whilst private transfers depend on the details of your journey.

Shared routes include Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya, Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok to Pattaya, Pattaya to Bangkok and Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Whilst private transfers have a greater degree of flexibility and you can choose specific pick up and drop off locations in both Bangkok and Pattaya. Private transfers can also be organised for any time of day and any day of the week, making them a great option for people with anti social timings of aeroplanes etc.

Suvarnabhumi Airport–Pattaya

Probably the most popular route of the company with buses leaving on hourly bases. From Pattaya, Bell Travel provides the earliest bus of the day to Suvarnabhumi which departs at 6am and gets to the airport before 8am – just in time to many morning departures. They also provide complimentary pick up from the hotels in the central Pattaya area which is really helpful as buses depart from the Northern Bus Station located a bit out of the main tourist activity area. Tickets cost THB250.

Suvarnabhumi Airport–Hua Hin

Buses from Suvarnabhumi to Hua Hin run every hour and a half and cost THB320. Travel time is about 4 hours. In Hua Hin buses arrive to New Hua Hin bus station in Phet Kasem Road.

Passengers should be aware that boarding starts around 15 minutes before departure and although they endeavour to depart on time for all journeys, sometimes delays may take place.

Other useful information includes the fact that two bags that meet the baggage requirements can be included free of charge whilst the website details any additional costs.

If travelling to the airport, do allow some additional time to be on the safe side, though normally 2 hours from Pattaya and 4 hours from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi are a standard.

The positives of travelling with Bell Travel are that it is a relatively low cost and convenient way to travel between Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok and Pattaya and Hua Hin.

They also take safety standards seriously and work to ensure that all journeys take place with well trained drivers in well maintained coaches. It’s also great to be able to easily book online and choose from several different routes, whilst the coaches themselves are comfortable and have plenty of legroom.

It’s easy to buy tickets online or to contact the company through their website or by phone, and the routes between the two cities have several stops.

The downsides are that it is more expensive than some of the other coach services travelling the same route so if you are looking for a budget option this may not be the right choice for you.

You may also end up having to pay more if for any reason you need to make changes to your booking if circumstances change.

There have been a couple of reviews that suggest that sometimes service isn’t the friendliest and it can be a little chaotic at the airports when you’re trying to find your coach and get boarded.

Overall though, the vast majority of reviews of Bell Travel are very positive, and most passengers state that they found the experience simple, easy to book, cost effective and a comfortable journey.