My optimization of the trip is now complete. There were topics about how to get from Don Mueang to Pattaya, it's almost the same, just add 5 minutes.
Friday 29.03.2013 Bkk to Pty
walk 15 minutes from my work place to bus stop (opposite Wat Lak Si), wait 10 minutes for bus 554 (Don Muang - Suvarnabhumi, could take bus 555 as well)
15:00 - 15:54 bus to Suvarnabhumi Transport Center (the bus does not pass Passenger Terminal) 34 Baht
buy ticket for bus 389 (Suvarnabhumi - Pattaya) 134 Baht, time of departure 16:45 (from Transport Center, 17:00 from Passenger Terminal)
16:36 - 16:46 from Transport Center to Passenger Terminal (yes, they were indeed leaving earlier then the ticket said)
16:58 - 19:04 from Passenger Terminal to Jomtien
walk 5 minutes to Jomtien Complex where my guesthouse is
cost: 168 Baht, duration: approximately 4 hours (1 hour local bus, 2 hours Bkk to Pty, 1 hour walking or waiting).
Sunday 31.03.2013 Pty to Bkk
14:30 leave Jomtien beach, pick up my luggage in Jomtien Complex (I check out before noon, leave my luggage at the reception, and spend part of the afternoon at the beach, thus maximizing my time in Pattaya without paying for another night), walk to bus stop in Jomtien
15:00 bus leaves to Bangkok, ticket 134 Baht
17:29 bus arrives at Passenger Terminal (this is where most passengers get off, only three stay)
17:36 bus arrives at Transport Center
17:45 - 18:41 bus 554 (could take bus 555 as well) to IT-square 34 Baht
walk back home about 20 minutes
cost and duration as above
Thus, my optimization is finished. "price quality time choose two" The only problem that remains is that I will have to wait one hour if bus 389 is fully booked.
If you wonder about the transport center, I had problems finding it on a map, but finally got it, here is the location:
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=13.71 ... z=19&z=199