This page was last
updated on
Wednesday 03 September 2008
Transport in and around Hua
Hin
OK, so Hua Hin is a beautiful place -- but how do you get here? Good question, and we are pleased to be able to offer you a number of alternatives, depending on your budget and your sense of urgency! So how easy is it to travel here from 'the big mango'? Check out:
How to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok
But once you're here, how do you get to the various places we've told you about? It can certainly get too hot to walk around so what's public transport like in HH?
Getting around Hua Hin
How to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok |
By Taxi
This is, of course, the most comfortable way, but journey times depend a lot on traffic conditions -- and Bangkok traffic is justifiably infamous! This said, it usually takes around 3 hours to get here from the capital by taxi. As for the cost, this largely depends upon your bargaining skills and the current price of fuel. At time of writing, the average taxi fee is about 2,500 - 3,000 baht. This is, of course, much more than by bus, but if you are travelling with a lot of baggage, or with your family or friends, then most people agree that is well worth the extra.
Catching a taxi to Hua Hin is easy. You can, if you like, just hail a meter taxi on any Bangkok street or even at the airport, and tell him to take you to Hua Hin. However, he may refuse you but if he doesn't, then be prepared for some negotiating. The other way is to telephone a taxi company, either in Bangkok or in Hua Hin, and arrange for them to pick you up at your hotel or whatever. If you want, some taxi firms can even meet you at the arrivals lounge at Bangkok airport! (Remember: we can arrange a suitable taxi between Bangkok and Hua Hin at special prices for customers who book hotels through our site)
Return to topBy Bus
Air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal every 40 minutes between 05.00 and 22.00. Travelling the other way, buses leave Hua Hin (from the Sa-song Road terminal -- map: B-5) every 30-40 minutes between 03.00 and 21.00. Approximate journey time is around 3 hours. The fare, at time of writing, is around 150 baht.
Make sure you get your hotel reception (in Bangkok) to write out the name of the Southern Bus Terminal in Thai for you, to show to the taxi driver. Tell them you want to go to Hua Hin, as the terminal is divided into 2 and you don't want to get taken to the wrong part. The building you want is closest to the main road so if the taxi heads further away from the very busy road, beware!
There are some illegal, pirate buses operating around the terminal and they'll claim to be going wherever you're going. You might end up getting dumped in a strange, unknown town in the rain -- as did I once! So ignore the touts, buy a proper ticket from the main ticket office (the counters are arranged by destination and the signs in there are mostly bi-lingual) -- which will have your seat number on it. Then go to the gate shown and board the bus when it's ready. They do provide 1 bottle of water for each passenger but if it's extra hot or something, you might want to bring some of your own beverages. Also, if you use the luggage space beneath the passenger compartment, make sure the guy knows you're getting off in Hua Hin -- as some folk get off at other towns en route.
Bangkok arrive at their own bus terminal on what looks like a side street here in Hua Hin, Sa-song Road (map: B-5), which is very close to downtown Hua Hin. As soon as you emerge, you'll be approached by motorcycle taxi drivers and pedi-cab drivers, but smile and ignore them. If your baggage is small, it should be possible to walk to most town centre hotels and guesthouses. If you are staying further out, and if your hotel does not provide transport, then be prepared to negotiate and remember that there are NO metered taxis in Hua Hin.Air-conditioned buses from
If you should travel here by a stopping bus (with the orange and blue stripes along the side), then you will be deposited at a different terminal, located at the north end of Liab Tang Rodfai Road (map: B-3). This is a little further from downtown and so a tuk-tuk or some other form of transport might be needed to reach your hotel. If so, then as usual -- negotiate well!
By Rail
There are several trains between Bangkok Hua Lamphong Station and Hua Hin each day, although most trains leave in the late afternoon and can get rather crowded. Due to there being only a single track for much of the route, the journey takes 4 hours or more. All trains arrive/depart at Hua Hin's picturesque station located at the top of Damnern Kasem Road (map: B-7), which is within walking distance of most downtown hotels. For information about trains between Bangkok and Hua Hin, click here. The fare varies, as there are four types of train, depending upon class. However, expect to pay a minimum of around 400 baht.
By air
SGA Airlines operates a shuttle flight between Bangkok airport and Hua Hin's small airport, located on the northern edge of town (map: B-1). Not only is this by far the quickest way of reaching Hua Hin (40-50 minutes), it might also be the most scenic, as the plane flies low enough to give you some splendid views of the Gulf of Thailand.
Huahinjapan.com can now arrange bookings for SGA flights between Bangkok and Hua Hin.
Flight schedule
Bangkok－Hua Hin 5E 903 10.45
5E 905 14.15
5E 907 17.15Hua Hin－Bangkok 5E 904 12.30
5E 906 15.30
5E 908 18.30Fare ＝2,950THB (one way, per person)
Taxi pick up (one way, per car - up to 2 pax)
From HH airport to Hua Hin area hotels: 400 THB
From HH airport to Pranburi area hotels (Evason, etc.): 800 THB
By Minibus
The relatively new minibus service runs between the Victory Monument (near the BST Skytrain station) in Bangkok and a nondescript terminal (located on a Soi directly opposite the Tesco Lotus Express and Esso petrol station (map: B-3), just past the 'International Polyclinic') in downtown Hua Hin. Cost (subject to change) 190 baht. This is much faster than the taxi (largely due to the less than sedate speed they drive at) but unless you book an extra seat, luggage space can be very limited. Another advantage is that if you are staying in northern Hua Hin (such as the Anantara or even in Cha Am), and you can communicate with the driver (possibly get your Bangkok hotel to write a note in Thai), you can get off the bus anywhere along Petchakasem Road, before you reach the terminal. Not surprisingly, this has fast become the preferred option for most local and foreign residents, especially for short weekend/shopping trips, etc. However, it might not be very enjoyable for the faint of heart!
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On Foot
Hua Hin is centred on Petchakasem Road (map: B-1 to B-11), which runs in a virtually straight line from north to south, linking the airport and northern suburbs with downtown and the south of city. Virtually every major hotel and restaurant is located on or very close to this artery. The generally recognised centre of the town is the clock tower (map: C - 5), near the main Wat Ampharam temple and the Post Office/Town Hall crossroads. Almost all of the popular hotels, restaurants and shops are within a short distance of this spot. The nearby beach has many dining facilities, deckchairs, etc., but visitors should really try to get out of town now and again, using local buses and taxis, etc., to visit the quieter, cleaner beaches and other places beyond the town limits. Also, be aware that it is easy to dehydrate when walking during the daytime, so make sure you take in plenty of liquid. However, with a bottle of safe drinking water costing only around 5 baht at any shop, this should not be a problem!
Local buses
Except for minor deviations, virtually every local bus (including those linking Hua Hin with Bangkok or with the south) runs along Petchakasem Road. Other than the high-speed blue-and-white bus to Bangkok, most buses have no designated stop -- you just stand beside the road and hail it when it comes in sight. You then board and pay the conductor at your seat. Use these buses to reach outlying beaches like Suan Son or Ao Sai Noi, or cities like Petchaburi or Pranburi. Although the conductor will sometimes announce the next stop, it is best to keep your eyes open so as to know where to get up, to tell them you want to get off. Fares usually start from around 30 baht.
Apart from the air-conditioned buses (as shown above), there are also
cheaper, non-air conditioned buses, easily distinguished by their bright orange colour. These generally cover smaller distances and except in the rainy season (when the windows are closed), can be much cooler than the more expensive buses. These are stopped in the same, hailing manner, and you pay the conductor in the same way. When you get near where you wish to get off, ring the bell, usually located in the ceiling. The fare is usually around 20 - 40 baht.
Song Thew
These 'buses' are better described as being remodelled pickup trucks, and are certainly the cheapest way of travelling within the town. Easily spotted with their pale green chassis, these buses start/terminate at the 7-11/ Night Market crossroads (map: B-4) and run either north to the airport or south to Khao Takiab (map: D-10). Frequency is roughly twice an hour (more at peak times) between 6am-6pm, and the cost 10 baht, paid to the driver when you get off. To stop one, just stand by Petchakasem Road and hail it when you see it approaching. To get off, just ring the bell in the ceiling, and then pop round to pay the driver. If you reach the terminal too late for the last one, you can still hire one for your own use by negotiating with the driver -- though do not expect to pay only 10 baht!
Tuk-Tuk
Perhaps the most 'touristy' way of getting around, these small, converted minivans are about the only door-to-door taxis available in Hua Hin. You can hail them on the road if you wish, but it would be easier to either call one of the Tuk-Tuk services and have them collect you, or go to one of their 'ranks', such as around the clock tower (map: C - 5). The fee is completely negotiable but shouldn't be more than around 100-150 baht within the town, regardless of how many passengers there are. They are very convenient if you need to go somewhere away from the main road, and are both comfortable and cool.
Motorcycle taxi
Throughout the town, you will often see groups of men (and occasionally women) sitting around under a tree or footbridge wearing brightly coloured, numbered vests. These are motorcycle taxi drivers and they will take you anywhere within the town for a negotiated fee. This is generally a safe and fast way to travel, for if the driver should act/drive badly, you can report him to the town authorities, using the number/colour of his vest and the place where he picked you up. The price entirely depends on distance and your negotiating skills, but can be as little as 15 baht up to around 100 baht for longer or late night journeys. These taxis are very popular with housewives on shopping trips and even regular commuters.
Hire car
There are no metered taxis in Hua Hin and so the only public cars available are rental cars. In Thailand, it is generally cheaper and safer to hire a car with driver, which can be done by phoning one of the many local taxi firms. These can be useful for visiting more than one place for a day's shopping, sightseeing, etc. The fee depends on distance, time and negotiations, but should be around 800 - 1300 baht for a full day's hire. Larger cars and minibuses are also available if needed.
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Notice
Whilst this company seeks to provide up-to-date information on this site, it can in no way be held responsible for any changes that may occur. We recommend you verify relevant information closer to the time of your arrival in Hua Hin. In addition, much of the information may be of a subjective nature and so personal judgement may vary, which is beyond our control. All articles and graphics on this site may be subject to Copyright, and may not be used for more than "private utilization" without permission.
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Town Office
18/4 Amnuaysin Road,
(inside Tanawit Condotel)
Hua Hin, Prachuap Khirikhan
77110, Thailand
