Quads and Buggies Near Pattaya: Two-Hour Prices, Tracks and Rules
ATV and quad rental in Pattaya is sold as a two-hour guided ride on trails behind the city: a quad costs ฿1,900–4,500 depending on the track and the number of seats, a two-seat buggy ฿2,899–3,800 for the driver and a four-seat buggy ฿4,299–5,500 for the whole machine. Below: track lengths, machines, what couples and families pay, age limits and the small print.
Two hours on a trail: how off-road riding is sold here
Quads and buggies near the city come with a guide, a fixed off-road loop and a two-hour slot, and the price depends on the vehicle and the track rather than on a day rate.
Why nothing here is rented for the road
An ATV tour in Pattaya is a ride on off-road trails in the countryside behind the city, not a vehicle handed over for a day of driving on public roads. Two of the trail parks sit in Pong, Banglamung district, and every booking follows the same pattern: a safety briefing, often a practice run, then a convoy behind a guide on sand tracks, jungle trails and plantation roads. That is why the market quotes one price per two-hour ride instead of a daily rate, as scooter shops do. The format has a practical upside — the helmet, the route and the way back are arranged for you, and the guide can change course when rain turns a stretch to mud. Treat it as an excursion: pick the morning or afternoon slot first, then the machine and the track.
Market prices for a two-hour ride
| Machine | Track | Price | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad, 200cc | About 20 km, beginner route | ฿1,900 | Driver; passenger seat ฿1,300 |
| Single quad | Basic track, 27 km | ฿2,599 | Driver on a solo machine |
| Single quad | Hard track, 34 km | ฿3,099 | Driver on a solo machine |
| Single quad | Off-road loop | ฿3,500 | One ATV |
| Two-seat ATV, 520–625cc | 20 km or 35 km | ฿3,500 or ฿4,500 | Whole ATV, driver and passenger |
| Two-seat buggy | Basic 27 km or hard 34 km | ฿2,899 or ฿3,299 | Driver; passenger not included |
| Two-seat buggy | Off-road loop | ฿3,800 | Driver; passenger ฿990 |
| Four-seat buggy | Basic or hard 34 km | ฿4,299 or ฿4,799 | Whole machine, three passengers free |
| Four-seat buggy | Off-road loop | ฿5,500 | Whole machine, passengers free |
Per driver, per machine or per buggy
Prices on the trails follow three different schemes, and the headline figure means something different under each. The simplest is the driver price: ฿2,599–3,500 for one person on a solo machine, with nobody behind. The second prices a seat: on a 200cc quad the driver pays ฿1,900 and a passenger ฿1,300, and in a two-seat buggy at another base the driver pays ฿3,800 and the passenger ฿990. The third prices the whole machine — ฿3,500–4,500 for a 520–625cc two-seat ATV whatever the number of riders, and ฿4,299–5,500 for a four-seater where three passengers ride free. One trap sits in the cheapest two-seat line: the ฿2,899 package carries the driver only, and a passenger costs an extra amount the package does not state. So before comparing two offers, add up every seat your group needs (the cheapest headline is rarely the cheapest total).
Basic track, hard track: what the extra kilometres cost
Two-hour rides cover 20 to 35 km depending on the route, and the longer, harder versions cost more in total but less for each extra kilometre.
Price per kilometre by route
| Route | Length | Price | Per km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200cc quad, beginner | About 20 km | ฿1,900 | About ฿95 |
| Single quad, basic | 27 km | ฿2,599 | About ฿96 |
| Single quad, hard | 34 km | ฿3,099 | About ฿91 |
| Two-seat buggy, basic | 27 km | ฿2,899 | About ฿107 |
| Two-seat buggy, hard | 34 km | ฿3,299 | About ฿97 |
| 520–625cc ATV for two | 20 km | ฿3,500 | ฿175 per machine |
| 520–625cc ATV for two | 35 km | ฿4,500 | About ฿129 per machine |
The ฿400–500 step to the hard track
The hard track adds 7 km to the basic one — 34 km instead of 27 — and costs ฿500 more on a solo ATV (฿3,099 against ฿2,599), ฿400 more for the two-seater buggy and ฿500 more for the four-seat version. Those extra kilometres come at about ฿57–71 each, well below the ฿91–107 per km of the whole ride, because both versions fit into the same two hours. The same logic holds for the 520–625cc two-seater: the 35 km route costs ฿1,000 more than the 20 km one, roughly ฿67 for each of the extra 15 km. What changes is the terrain — deep ruts, mud pits, water crossings and swamp sections — and the long route is rated medium to advanced. To my mind the hard track is the better buy for anyone who has ridden off-road before; a first-timer gets more from the basic loop.
What the routes pass through
- Sand and jungle tracks: the core of every loop; one trail park describes its rides as almost entirely off the tarmac.
- Plantations: pineapple, rubber and cassava fields on the beginner route, with fruit and palm plantations on others, depending on the season.
- Eucalyptus forest: eucalyptus paths along Mabprachan Dam on the 20 km route for the 520–625cc two-seaters.
- Phra Mondop Temple: a photo stop with countryside views in the Wat Yan area on the 200cc beginner route.
- Freshwater lake: an optional swim when weather and water levels allow, which is why swimwear appears on packing lists.
- Mud and water crossings: mud pits, ruts and swamp areas on the 35 km route, plus a seasonal waterfall stop when conditions allow.
Single quad, two-seat ATV or buggy
Five kinds of vehicle run on the trails, from a 200cc quad to a four-seater with a roll cage, and the number of seats shapes the price more than the engine does.
Machines on the trails
| Machine | Seats | What sets it apart | Two-hour price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad, 200cc | Driver, passenger optional | Beginner route, easy to medium | ฿1,900, passenger ฿1,300 |
| Single quad | 1 | Basic, hard or off-road loop | ฿2,599–3,500 |
| Two-seat ATV, 520–625cc | 2 | Power steering, low-range gears, soft suspension | ฿3,500–4,500 per ATV |
| Two-seat buggy | 2 | Roll cage and seatbelts | ฿2,899–3,800 for the driver |
| Four-seat buggy | 4 | Safety harness for children | ฿4,299–5,500 per machine |
200cc for a first ride, 520–625cc for two
The 200cc quad is the entry model of the market: ฿1,900 for the driver on a route of about 20 km rated easy to medium, built for first-time drivers and couples. The 520–625cc two-seat ATV is a different class — electric power steering, soft suspension and low-range gears for climbs and deep ruts — and it is priced per machine, ฿3,500 for 20 km. For one person the gap is large: ฿1,900 against ฿3,500. For two it nearly closes, because a 200cc quad with a passenger costs ฿3,200, only ฿300 less than the big two-seater. That ฿300 buys power steering, a balaclava and goggles in the kit, and terrain rated medium rather than easy to medium. Note one rule that applies to both: drifting on four-wheel-drive ATVs is banned. Riding solo, take the 200cc; riding as a pair, the bigger ATV is worth the difference.
Buggies: a roll cage and a car driver's habits
A buggy tour in Pattaya runs on the same trails as the four-wheelers, but the driver sits behind a steering wheel, and at one base the buggies come with a roll cage and seatbelts, plus a fitted harness for small children. That makes it the natural choice when the passenger is a child or a nervous rider. Operators say no off-road experience is needed, and one prefers drivers who can already handle a car — if you drive one at home, the controls will feel familiar. Two-seat buggies cost ฿2,899–3,299 for the driver at one base (the passenger pays extra) and ฿3,800 plus ฿990 for the passenger at another. Four-seat buggies cost ฿4,299–5,500 for the whole machine, with passengers free. Drivers of both must be at least 15. Who wants to steer? If the answer is one adult in the family, four seats keep everyone in one machine.
Couples, friends and families: what a group pays
Group prices diverge more than single prices, because the market mixes per-seat, per-machine and per-buggy rates; the tables below add them up for two and four people.
Two people: six ways to share a ride
| Option for two | Total for two hours | Who drives |
|---|---|---|
| 200cc quad with passenger | ฿3,200 | One |
| Two-seat ATV, 520–625cc, 20 km | ฿3,500 | One |
| Two-seat buggy with passenger | ฿4,790 | One |
| Two single quads, basic 27 km | ฿5,198 | Both |
| Two single quads, hard 34 km | ฿6,198 | Both |
| Two single quads, off-road loop | ฿7,000 | Both |
Four people: one machine or four
| Option for four | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Four-seater, basic track | ฿4,299 | About ฿1,075 |
| Four-seater, hard track 34 km | ฿4,799 | About ฿1,200 |
| Four-seater, off-road loop | ฿5,500 | ฿1,375 |
| Two two-seat ATVs, 20 km | ฿7,000 | ฿1,750 |
| Four solo ATVs, basic 27 km | ฿10,396 | ฿2,599 |
Choosing between them
For a couple the cheapest pairing is a 200cc quad with a passenger behind, ฿3,200, about ฿2,000 less than two solo machines on the basic track. Two machines make sense only when both people want to drive — and then the hard track costs ฿1,000 more for the pair than the basic one. For four, the gap is wider: one four-seater on the basic track costs ฿4,299, while four solo machines cost ฿10,396, 2.4 times as much. Families with children under 15 usually end up in a buggy anyway, because nobody younger than that may drive at the two trail parks in Pong. A passenger seat also changes the outing (the person behind sees everything and steers nothing), which suits a child better than an adult who came for the driving. Decide who drives first; the cheapest option follows from that.
Age, licence and the rules on the trail
Operators set their own limits on age, ability and behaviour, and the licence question has two answers: one for the trail, another for the public road.
Limits operators set
- Driver age: 15 at both trail parks in Pong; one operator's general notes put drivers at 15–18 depending on the vehicle.
- Younger drivers: one operator lets 14-year-olds drive, subject to instructor approval and responsibility of an accompanying adult.
- Child passengers: four-seat buggies take children from 4 at one base and from 5 at another, in a fitted safety harness.
- Experience: none required to drive; a briefing and driving practice come before the main route.
- Fitness: moderate physical fitness is expected, as rides can be bumpy and physically demanding on rough sections.
- Car skills: one operator would rather see a driver who already handles a car at the wheel of its two- and four-seaters.
Licence: none for the trail, a motorcycle licence for the road
No driving licence is asked for a quad bike tour in Pattaya: two operators say so directly, and the briefing and practice run take the place of paperwork. The age limit and the guide's judgement are what decide whether you drive, and one operator adds that a driver must be physically fit to handle the vehicle. Riding on public roads is a different matter. Scooter rental terms in the city expect a motorcycle-category licence — a Thai one, or your home licence plus an International Driving Permit with the motorcycle entitlement — and most shops set the minimum age at 18, some at 21, with a ฿2,000 deposit for bikes up to 160cc. The scooter rental section, from ฿200 a day, and the motorcycle rental section, from ฿400 a day, set out those terms. Without a motorcycle licence, a trail ride is the motorised option that asks for none.
Rules that can end a ride early
- Alcohol and drugs: anyone under the influence is not allowed to drive, whatever was paid.
- Briefing: every rider attends the safety briefing and follows the instructor's commands on the route.
- Drifting: strictly prohibited on four-wheel-drive ATVs, on every section of the trail.
- Distance and overtaking: keep a safe gap to the ATV ahead and overtake only with the instructor's permission.
- Consequence: unsafe behaviour can end the tour on the spot, without a refund.
- Gear: helmets and protective gear stay on for the whole ride, including photo stops.
Pickup, start times, what is included and the small print
Most rides are close to all-inclusive, but transfer, insurance and a passenger seat vary by operator, and a two-hour ride takes a half-day once transfers are counted.
Getting to the trails and start times
Two trail parks are in Pong, Banglamung, and one of them is 7.2 km from central Pattaya, 30–45 minutes by road. Two of the three operators include a return transfer — a shared van from your hotel or a hotel pick-up — while the third does not mention one, so ask before booking. Scheduled rides at one park leave daily at 10:30 and 14:30, and both parks in Pong keep the same opening hours, 9:00–18:00 every day. The 200cc beginner programme picks up between 08:20 and 09:20 and runs until about 13:00, or picks up between 13:00 and 14:00 and runs until about 17:00, with roughly 2.5 hours of riding and activity. The long 35 km route on the two-seaters starts at about 14:30. Whichever slot you take, a "two-hour" ride fills a morning or an afternoon.
What the price includes
- Transfer: a shared van or hotel pick-up and return at two of three operators; confirm it with the third.
- Guide: an English- and Thai-speaking guide, or a Russian-speaking instructor who gives safety instructions in English.
- Safety gear: a helmet everywhere; gloves, goggles and an MX shirt at one base; a balaclava and goggles on 520–625cc machines.
- Food and drink: drinking water or soft drinks at every operator; snacks, a soft drink and fruit at one base; fruit after the beginner route.
- Briefing and practice: a safety briefing at every operator, with a practice run before the main route on the 200cc and 520–625cc rides.
- Fuel and facilities: fuel included on the 200cc and 520–625cc rides; towels and secure lockers at one base.
Paid separately or not covered
| Item | Market practice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Excluded at one base | Check your travel policy covers off-road riding |
| Damage from unsafe driving | Charged to the rider at one operator | Follow the guide; no drifting |
| Passenger in a two-seat buggy | Not in the cheapest package | Ask the passenger price first |
| Video of the ride | Excluded at one base | Ask whether it is offered |
| Private or VIP route | Paid separately, on request | Ask when booking |
| Extra food and drinks | Outside the programme | Carry some cash |
Booking, cancellation and rain
At one trail park a booking needs no card: you reserve a slot and pay in cash or by card on arrival. At another, cancellation is free up to 48 hours before the ride, later cancellations are non-refundable, and the ticket can be moved to a new date once without a fee if you give 48 hours' notice. Rides generally go ahead in light rain — mud is part of the route — but if the operator calls off a ride for severe weather, you choose between a new date and a full refund. Routes and stops can change with mud, water levels and the group's driving level, and an optional lake swim depends on conditions on the day. Since the free cancellation window closes 48 hours ahead, check the forecast two days before rather than the evening before.
What to wear and bring
Closed shoes are expected at every operator, so leave flip-flops at the hotel. Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy and dusty: the routes are sand, dirt and jungle tracks, with water crossings on some loops. Two operators recommend sunglasses, and one adds a hat and sunscreen for the open stretches and photo stops. Pack swimwear if your route includes the optional lake, and a spare T-shirt for the van back — one base provides towels and secure lockers, another changing rooms and showers where available. Helmets and protective gear are handed out at the start, so there is no need to bring your own, and gloves come with the kit at one base. A phone or camera is worth taking for the temple and lake stops, in a zip pocket rather than a loose bag.
Key points before booking a trail ride
Seven points to remember
- Format: a two-hour guided ride on trails in Pong, Banglamung, not a machine to drive on public roads.
- Price: ฿1,900–4,500 for a quad, ฿2,899–3,800 for a two-seat buggy driver, ฿4,299–5,500 per four-seat buggy.
- Hard track: 7 km more than the basic one for ฿400–500 extra, the cheapest kilometres of the ride.
- Couples: ฿3,200 for a 200cc quad with a passenger, against ฿5,198 for two solo ATVs on the basic track.
- Rules: drivers from 15 (14 with instructor approval at one operator), children in four-seaters from 4–5, no licence asked.
- Timing: rides leave at 10:30 and 14:30 at one park, and with transfers a two-hour ride takes a half-day.
- Small print: one base excludes insurance and cancels free only up to 48 hours ahead.