Utapao International Airport, Thailand: Information, Location, and Notes

Located in Rayong, Thailand, U-Tapao Airport is a bustling hub envisioned as the future “Eastern Aviation Metropolis.” Join Vietjet to discover fascinating facts about one of Thailand’s most modern airports!

1. Does Rayong, Thailand have an airport?

Rayong is a province on the eastern coast of Thailand, bordering the Gulf of Thailand. As a coastal city, it’s an ideal summer destination where you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze and indulge in delicious seafood. To get to Rayong, you’ll need to fly into U-Tapao International Airport.

2. Introduction to Utapao Airport

Utapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is located about 7 km from Rayong city center and is managed by Thailand’s Civil Aviation Department.Utapao Airport (also spelled U-Tapao or U-Taphao) is a joint civil-military airport operated by the Royal Thai Navy. It serves the cities of Rayong and Pattaya and is situated approximately 140 km southeast of Bangkok. After Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, it is the closest international airport to Bangkok.

Full name: U-Tapao International Airport
Address: Ban Chang District, Rayong Province, Thailand
Airport code: UTP
Country code: +66
Phone: +66 80 301 7626
Number of terminals: 2
Time zone: GMT+7

U-Tapao is considered one of the fastest-growing airports in the world.

3. The development of U-Tapao International Airport

U-Tapao International Airport plays a key role in Thailand’s military, economic, political, and tourism sectors, and has gone through many significant historical phases:

In 1966, the airport officially opened on June 2 and has now been operational for 57 years.
In 2008, it temporarily served as Thailand’s international gateway after Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports closed due to political unrest.
In 2015, the airport was again recognized as a viable international gateway due to its proximity to the capital.
In 2019, Terminal 2 was inaugurated, increasing capacity from 800,000 to 3 million passengers annually.
In 2022, the Thai government approved a major expansion plan to increase capacity to 60 million passengers per year. The plan includes building a second runway, additional taxiways, and new facilities to enhance air connectivity between Pattaya and Bangkok, and integrate with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

4. What flights are available at U-Tapao International Airport?

Utapao International Airport currently offers both domestic and international flights.

4.1 Domestic flights

You can take domestic flights from U-Tapao International Airport to Bangkok (via Koh Samui), Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

4.2 International flights

As Bangkok’s third international gateway, U-Tapao actively operates several international routes. Here are some key routes:

Utapao (UTP) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Utapao (UTP) – Hanoi (HAN)
Utapao (UTP) – Da Nang (DAN)
Utapao (UTP) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Utapao (UTP) – Dubai (XNB)
Utapao (UTP) – Changsha (CSX)
Utapao (UTP) – Macau (MFM)
Utapao (UTP) – Moscow (VKO)

5. Overview of U-Tapao Airport

U-Tapao Airport is considered one of the world’s fastest-growing airports and is part of the grand “Eastern Aviation Metropolis” project, with world-class scale and amenities. Here are some key highlights:

5.1 Size and runway capacity

Covering an area of about 1,040 hectares, U-Tapao is set to become a major transport hub in Southeast Asia. It’s designed to accommodate 60–75 million passengers annually and will be connected with Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. A second runway, 3,500 meters long, will be capable of handling Airbus A380 aircraft. The apron can accommodate a total of 49 aircraft.

5.2 Terminal structure

U-Tapao has two terminal buildings for both international and domestic flights. The terminals integrate advanced technology and sustainable design.

Terminal 1: Covers 3,000 m² and can serve up to 400 passengers at a time.
Terminal 2: Opened in 2019 due to increasing demand, it covers 20,000 m² and accommodates 1,200 passengers simultaneously. This upgrade increased the airport’s capacity by approximately 3 million passengers per year.

5.3 Terminal Facilities

Equipped with modern technologies and digital infrastructure, U-Tapao Airport provides state-of-the-art services for airlines and passengers:

A duty-free commercial zone, including a cargo terminal and airport logistics area, offers a more competitive environment with streamlined customs procedures, tax incentives, and various promotional programs.
A premium shopping experience with many of Thailand’s most famous brands.
A rich culinary journey featuring a wide variety of dishes, from Western to Asian cuisine.
An entertainment zone offering leisure services for all travelers.
Foreign currency exchange counters.
Mobile SIM card stores.
A spacious, well-equipped parking lot is monitored regularly to ensure security.

U-Tapao Airport offers the most advanced services for airlines and passengers.

6. Transportation from U-Tapao Airport to Hotels and Tourist Attractions

From the airport, you can choose from three main types of transportation to reach your hotel or explore local attractions.

6.1 Taxi

This is one of the most convenient options, especially for travelers in groups or carrying lots of luggage. Taxis are readily available at the airport arrivals hall and can take you directly to your destination. You can ask the driver to turn on the meter or negotiate the fare in advance.

6.2 Bus

A scheduled bus service runs from central Bangkok to U-Tapao Airport. Departure times are at 9:00 AM, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 PM daily.

6.3 Vans

A dedicated van terminal is located at Central Festival Pattaya. These vans run to and from the airport. Just call the management to make a reservation and secure your seat in advance.

7. Distance from U-Tapao Airport to Popular Tourist Destinations in Rayong

Located just minutes from Pattaya, Rayong is a city surrounded by miles of coastline and known for its unique local culture. However, getting from U-Tapao International Airport to Rayong’s major attractions may take some time.

7.1 From U-Tapao Airport to Koh Samet Island

It takes about 1 to 2 hours to travel from the airport to Koh Samet, known for its crystal-clear, unspoiled beaches. Though a small island, Koh Samet offers all the essentials for a perfect vacation, including resorts, restaurants, bars, and more.

Koh Samet is famous for its pristine and turquoise-blue beaches.

7.2 From U-Tapao Airport to Rayong Aquarium

Rayong Aquarium is about a 1-hour drive from the airport. It features a wide variety of marine life and a spacious tunnel layout divided into zones, each representing a specific marine environment.

Rayong Aquarium offers diverse marine life exhibits in a tunnel-like structure, making you feel like you're diving into the ocean.

7.3 From U-Tapao Airport to Wat Pa Pradu Temple

It takes about 50 minutes to reach Wat Pa Pradu Temple from the airport. This small temple, built during the Ayutthaya period, houses a massive Reclining Buddha statue measuring 12 meters long and 3 meters high. The temple grounds also feature numerous other large and small Buddha statues in various iconic poses.

The information above provides a comprehensive overview of U-Tapao International Airport. While planning your trip, don’t forget to check for great flight deals to help save on travel costs.

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