The two principal things which make travelling by van so attractive are a wide choice of destinations and affordable prices. Not all vans offer top comfort, enough legroom, or luggage space, but these two points compensate. Besides, it is always vans that launch new routes to emerging destinations paving the road to big bus operators if necessary or remaining the only means of transport to bring you there. Very often, vans offer faster service than big buses, more flexible timetable, and more readily adapt to travellers’ needs in the sense of schedule – if there is a temporary growth in demand due to long weekends or national holidays, vans add more vehicles to their daily fleet easier than other operators. Note though that sometimes vans operate from their own van stations or terminals or have a dedicated section in bigger bus terminals. Always check your van's departure and arrival point as it is not necessarily located at the main bus station.
Tawanok Tour is one of the operators to check if you are going to travel by van. They provide reliable van service and offer tickets with easy and secure online booking.
Tawanok Tour Popular Stations
Here is the list of the main terminals from where Tawanok Tour’s vans operate:
Ekkamai
Tawanok Tour South Pattaya
Tawanok tour Bali Hai Office
Mochit New Van Terminal
Jomtien Beach Transfer
Jomtien Night Market
Imperial Samrong Samut Prakan
Tawanok Tour Top Destinations
Some of the most popular routes on Tawanok Tour’s route map include but are not limited to:
Opposite to trains or bigger buses, vans rarely offer you a choice of ticket class. All the seats are the same – call it standard, VIP, or whatever. What can differ, though, is the type of the van itself. Some vans seat only 9-10 passengers. For travellers this means wider seats, more space, and a more comfortable trip. Vans which accommodate up to 15 passengers are also ok but be ready to sacrifice on space for your legs and elbows and very often – for your luggage, too. Sometimes it can be a good idea to buy two seats instead of one to ensure a more comfortable ride – yet it pays to check with the operator if they allow this on your route. Before you book your van ticket, read reviews on Tawanok Tour van service to see what to expect.
Travel by Van: Pros & Cons
Pros of VanTravel
Vans can be the only way to reach some of the most remote destinations, smaller towns or villages which are connected neither by big buses nor trains.
Vans can also take you to some islands connected with the mainland by large car ferries which do not take big buses but take vans on board, too.
Due to a smaller size compared to big buses, vans are more maneuverable on the road. It sometimes results in shorter travel time, especially if your destination is not far away.
While vans do have an official stop enroute, they can also get you off at a more convenient point – no need to go to the terminal, just ask your driver. Note that it is not always possible, but in many cases, they will cooperate. It can save you both time and money you would have otherwise spent getting off the terminal on foot or by taxi.
Cons of Van Travel
Vans accommodating more passengers may feel quite cramped. Expect limited space for your legs and elbows. Some vans limit the luggage for one ticket to one piece. If you have more bags, suitcases, or backpacks, you may be asked to buy a separate ticket for your luggage, which makes the trip twice as expensive.
Not all vans run on schedule. On certain routes, vans leave only when full. Do check it with your operator before buying your ticket, otherwise, you may end up waiting much longer than expected until the van fills up.
If there are more reckless drivers on any other means of transport than on vans, we are unaware of it. Some companies install speed control units on their vehicles, but it is not a rare case to hear this unit beeping the whole trip through with the driver not paying attention to it. Always remember to buckle your seatbelt while travelling by van. Though sometimes you will need to make an investigation to find out where your seatbelt is.
For those prone to motion sickness there is a good piece of advice: take your medicine half an hour before your van trip, especially if your route includes winding stretches. You are more likely to feel motion sick travelling by van than by bus.
EkkamaiTawanok Tour South PattayaJomtien Beach TransferJomtien Night MarketTawanok tour Bali Hai OfficeImperial Samrong Samut PrakanMochit New Van Terminal
Tawanok Tour Company Reviews
N B
Neale B
The bus was perfect!
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Dec 27, 2025
C R
Christel R
The place of departure was poorly indicated.
We came in time, but had to wait 1,5 hoirs for the bus to leave. And I accidentally bought the insurance, which was never my intention. This should be made more clear on the 12GO website.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Dec 26, 2025
J S
Jose S
Terrible directions to the bus station must do better
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Nov 14, 2025
M C
Marcel C
Dr8ver was on early, buy didn't speak English or had our details. Only once we not8ced a sticker of 12go on h9s van we went in. Van was falling apart. 1st gear didn't work, airco was only a blower, seat leather had cracks, sliding door inside cover was peeling off, and worst of all driver was almost whole journey on his phone writing whatsapps.
We were very happy to get out - only 10 min late
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Nov 3, 2025
T P
Titikarn P
- From the ticket, we expected to arrive at 10.25, however, we arrived at 12.00 which this delay is not acceptable.
- The legs room is not enough.
- The driver didn't respond to people's questions.
- The bus smelled like cigarettes.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Oct 24, 2025
V H
Victoria H
Had to get a taxi from Ekkamai to Pinklao at further cost. I had already asked the tour operator in Pattaya if this would be the case and they advised there would be a mini van transfer. Also could not find the Tawanok Tour location so tried several times to contact them from my taxi so that they could speak Thai and confirm, got dropped at wrong location by taxi (not their fault) but had to get another taxi across town. Very unclear instructions and confusing despite using Google translate. Admittedly again not their fault I don't speak Thai very well but if you book this tour, leave well in advance to ensure you can find them and try to get a Thai speaking friend to assist prior to booking.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Sep 28, 2025
P H
Perle H
Pick up point not clear I had to ask the police for location, the driver was late and the trip lasts almost 5 hours instead of 3
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Sep 13, 2025
P A
pierre A
Right on time. Perfect service
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Aug 17, 2025
R B
Ralf B
We had more than an hour delay until we started
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Aug 10, 2025
W V
Wim V
one hour late .... be careful when you have a flight to catch
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Aug 5, 2025
A A
Anna A
We left exactly at 6, as it should be.
We stopped once - the driver almost left without me. Do you even check the number of passengers!
We drove for 3.5 hours. At 21:30 was in the appointed place.
The bus is old and dirty, especially the last row of seats
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Aug 2, 2025
H S
Hsieh S
Can not on time to departure. some time be cancelled the booking
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jul 11, 2025
E S
Elisa S
The Bus left 1h30 after my booked time
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jul 6, 2025
A A
Anna A
I arrived at the Jomtien night market at 15:30 (departure was supposed to be at 16). A minute later the transport arrived. Bus is outdated, this is especially noticeable inside the cabin. It was very cold in the front rows because of the air conditioning, the temperature in the cabin was only 19 degrees. The driver doesn’t speak English, please use a translator. There was one short stop (toilet/shop). Finally I was at the Ekkamai bus station at 20:03.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jun 29, 2025
A A
Alkhadar A
Great experience but the leave time delay one hour. The good thing is that the driver apologized fir her arrival late in the departure point.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jun 8, 2025
H F
Henry F
Left on time. Lot of stops along the way made trip over 3 hrs long.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jun 7, 2025
L E
Lisa E
Pattaya - Bangkok
Started on time, picked up some people. Made a break 45' minutes before stop in Bangkok. Arrived only 15' late due to traffic. Bus is old, but airconditioned & driver was good.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jun 5, 2025
A K
Anas K
Started moving and was on the place in time.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jun 1, 2025
C H
Courtney H
Great quick direct transfer from pattaya to bangkok with a few options where to get off. Great alternative to taxi which will save you lots of money for a similar travel time. I would use again. Thanks
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), May 25, 2025
C L
CHRISTIAN L
Bad organisation.
Old and dirty vehicle.
Fortunately a nice driver
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), May 23, 2025
A K
Arun K
It was ok the arrangement on time the van came and picked but the ACs were not working properly
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), May 5, 2025
S M
Shalini M
The driver was driving very rash on high speeds.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Apr 13, 2025
S T
Sana T
Fast , comfortable
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Apr 7, 2025
T B
Tadeusz B
All in time
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Mar 25, 2025
A D
Annabel D
Bus left on time, not many delays but driver let us out before the stop on the ticket. Bangkok to Jomtien Pattaya had a toilet stop also
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Mar 10, 2025
C T
Chau T
I like that they are on time, like even leave earlier than what the ticket said as soon as the bus is full. Hard working and skilled drivers take us to our destination. Generally the trips were smooth and professional, even though the minivan could be a bit of a bumpy ride. Will use the services again the next time I am in Thailand ^^
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Mar 7, 2025
M A
Michael A
The trip was ok. However, it took almost 4 hours, instead of the estimated 2,5.
Also: While waiting at the minibus station in Bangkok, I was offered a bus leaving earlier than the one booked. Fine - however, it ended up in another station in Pattaya, which caused me a little confusion. I had to take a taxi to the hotel, as it was close to the bus station where I was expecting to end up.
The minibus has no room for baggage. My suitcase was accepted anyway, but it is not ideal if everyone has baggage ...
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Feb 28, 2025
M J
Mitchell J
25 min too late. Because someone was not on time. Then we drove 10 minutes and I had to change from a Van to a bus. The space was very small and duration was not 2 hours but 3.5 hours. I never go again with you guys, amateurs!
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Feb 23, 2025
D S
Dilak S
Too many delays and stops in between. We arrived 40 mins late than estimated time. Plus it was expensive than the regular bus. Bus also had storage for our luggage but minivan doesn’t. So doesn’t make sense for it to be more expensive.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Feb 17, 2025
M I
Miyuki I
Bus terminal is difficult to find. Looks like the buses also leave when the clerks are full, even if you have bought a ticket, and they don't leave unless they are full.
I had to wait at the bus stop for two hours.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Feb 16, 2025
I J
Irfan J
Bad location, Communications and i don
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Feb 15, 2025
D W
Dona W
Booked for the 2 hour trip but, we were given the off the highway route and took more than three hours.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Feb 5, 2025
E E
Eyong E
Initial Departure time was 3pm we took off at 4 and driver was stopping a lot along the way. I almost missed my flight. ETA was around 5pm but we arrived almost 6:30.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jan 31, 2025
R M
Rebeca M
it took so very long, was meant to be in bangkok by 9:25 but got there at about 11:20.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jan 15, 2025
D R
Dasha R
I just transferred to 3 cars during the trip, it was dirty, unexpectedly I had to go to another car after 15 min of a ride to an old dirty car that was very cold. And after that a I was asked to go to a 3rd car. Will not use this service again.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jan 8, 2025
E J
Eric J
driver was watching a movie on his phone while driving. going too slow on the highway and not driving straight.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jan 6, 2025
I Z
Iana Z
my ticket was bought for 9:45 but in the end my bus was at 11:00 and i arrived much later
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Dec 28, 2024
J M
Jason M
Online it says 6 AM departure, but when I arrived, their timetable at the station said 6:30 for my destination. The actual timetable doesn’t match up with the online one. The vehicle then arrived well over 15 minutes late from that time as well.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Dec 15, 2024
K A
Khani A
Bad driver and very old minivan. The trip should take 2 hours and 20 minutes, but he arrived bangkok 3 hour 30 minutes. He nearly crashed 3 times and was driving between 2 lanes. Stopped the minivan unnecessarily at least 5 times. Nearly made me miss my connecting bus in bangkok.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Dec 9, 2024
I A
Ilenia A
The driver didn’t speak English and not even understand. They called me many times to ask to change the pick up point but they even couldn’t communicate in English. It was late more than an hour and then we wait in the center of Pattaya for an other more than an hour. We left Pattaya 2,5 hours later.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Nov 28, 2024
G W
Gregory W
Good luck finding the place in the bus terminal! We ask more than 20 people for an hour. Finally somebody told us you need to cross the huge highway overpass style. Then it was all good. Do not bring any luggage. If you book extra seats they still sell those seats and no room for your bags that you paid for. The people I met beside me got 2 extra seats and they got ripped off. Was the most stressful check in 50 countries around the world. I should of just booked at the terminal
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Nov 27, 2024
P S
Pailin S
The ride was fine and they arrived on time, but the driver couldn't speak english. So the other thai passengers had to translate it to the foreigners. In the van there was not much legroom.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Nov 7, 2024
H H
Henrik H
Did not leave me at the hotel as specified in the booking, it was supposed to be hotel transfer. Instead I had to change vans and then was dropped outside town and told to find my way. Pretty shocking experience.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Nov 1, 2024
O M
Oksana M
It’s was late on 1 hour
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Oct 31, 2024
Y T
Yu-Ju T
Mini van arrived 1 hour later than departure time (but the lady at the counter was courteous throughout the process and apologized multiple times). Just be sure to expect delays and have patience.
What bothered us the most was the driver's dangerous behavior... browsing photos on his phone while driving (behavior lasted about 15-20 min, on and off).
Van interior was very old, tattered and dirty.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Oct 31, 2024
R A
Robert A
Complicated because adress pick up was not good
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Oct 10, 2024
C D
Christoph D
all was perfect but the bus left one hour later than booked.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Sep 3, 2024
J S
Jennefer S
It's not to cold.
Van Minivan, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Aug 29, 2024
W W
William W
Bus driver was rude and tried to drop us off at a different location 10 minutes away from address on the receipt. After 3 people complaining we will not be dropped off here he took us to the final destination. Insisted we got off at a different location to take taxi bikes.. $$$
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Aug 22, 2024
S P
Sally P
Excellent service! There were mechanical problems with the first bus which was replaced within 10 minutes - superb! Driver was very helpful with luggage also. Very comfortable seats with plenty of room. Thank you very much for the very positive travel experience.
Van Van, Tawanok Tour (ตะวันออกทัวร์), Jul 29, 2024
3.6
286 customer reviews
5
34%
4
15%
3
26%
2
25%
1
0%
75.2% of 286 travelers were presumably happy with Tawanok Tour as they left good or no review