Transportation to Hua Hin
Buses run to Hua Hin from Suvarnabhumi Airport
The charming town of Hua Hin is situated approximately 200kms from Bangkok. The town is easily accessible and can be reached by a variety of transport options. For those opting to self-drive, it takes about three hours to reach Hua Hin from Bangkok Hualamphong Station. Hua Hin's new train station is located in the centre of the town.
An inexpensive travel option is to use the bus system, which services the town from Bangkok as well as cities throughout Thailand. In addition, train transportation is also available but is slower than the bus. There used to be a flight service linking Hua Hin to Pattaya and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport but this was suspended by SGA in June, 2009.
Hua Hin train transportation
An easy transport option between Hua Hin and Bangkok is to take the train. Trains depart daily from Bangkok Hualamphong Station for Hua Hin with 12 Express trains leaving Bangkok daily at the following times; 08:05, 09:20, 13:00, 14:45, 15:10, 15:30 17:05, 17:35, 18:20 and 19:20. There are two later trains that arrive in the wee hours of the next morning. Journey times are around four hours and it’s a pleasant ride with the sea often visible to your left, mountains to your right and pretty rice fields and coconut groves in between.
Hua Hin bus transportation
Don't be late! Buses usually leave on time
Bus transportation is the most inexpensive and practical travel option from Bangkok central. Buses to Hua Hin depart from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (across the river in Thon Buri) every 30 minutes. The bus ride takes approximately three hours with most services making several stops along the way. Air-conditioned buses are a bit more expensive but are worth the additional cost and are slightly quicker.
Non-air-conditioned coaches also depart from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal but tend to be uncomfortable, especially for tourists that have not acclimated to the heat and humidity. Minibuses also depart from the Victory Monument (behind the food court) regularly when the vehicle is full. These are the quickest and do not stop en route. It’s also possible to arrange bus rides via Hua Hin directly from Khao San Road on the way to the far south, so enquire with local travel agents.
Hua Hin taxi transportation
Taxis and small private mini-vans can be taken from Bangkok to Hua Hin. This may be a comfortable option but it can be a bit expensive. If you opt to use one of these modes of transportation, negotiate the fair with the driver in advance.
Hua Hin car hire
Car hire is readily available and reasonably priced. Travelling by car is one of the best ways to see Thailand up close and personal (for more on car rental in Hua Hin).
The road network is extremely efficient although some signs are in Thai only. With the simple use of a detailed map, driving to Hua Hin should prove unproblematic. Getting out of Bangkok onto HWY4 or route 35 is probably the biggest challenge.
From Suvarnabhumi airport you can now skirt the southern reaches of the city and cross the river via a new purpose-built bridge and highway that meets Route 35. The main highway is dual carriage the whole way and pretty straight-forward, although it gets busy on Friday and Sunday afternoons and you can expect some reckless local driving habits.
Public transportation in Hua Hin
Getting around Hua Hin is easy. Some of the most popular modes of transport in the city are tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis, both of which can be hailed everywhere and are relatively inexpensive. Songthaew (shared taxis) are also available, and run along the same routes throughout the day costing just a few baht.
Car hire
Car and jeep hire is a great option for visitors wanting to explore the town and surrounding areas. Hua Hin car hire is reasonably priced, but make sure that you rent from a reputable car hire agency and check that your vehicle has full cover insurance. There are several private hire companies locally, but quality is always an issue in Thailand and we recommend online booking in advance.
Motorbike hire
Renting a motorbike is a fun way to get around Hua Hin. Rental shops are located virtually everywhere and motorbikes are inexpensive. However, unless you have experience driving a motorbike, you may wish to choose another option as driving can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers.
