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You are here: Home / Travel / 6 Ways to Get From Bangkok to Hua Hin (You Choose)

6 Ways to Get From Bangkok to Hua Hin (You Choose)

Hua Hin lies approximately 90 miles south of Bangkok.

Due to the relatively short distance from the capital, and good transport connections, Hua Hin is a very popular weekend getaway for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the metro.

I've already written a long post on things to do in Hua Hin (linked later on), so this post is solely dedicated to ways in which to get there – according to your budget.

hua-hin-beach

The sand isn't too bad on the main stretch of Hua Hin, but the water isn't really what I would call swimming water. Head to Suan Son instead, about 8 Km from Hua Hin.

1. Hua Hin by Bus

Whether you’ve just landed in Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport) and want to get to Hua Hin immediately, or you are already in the city centre, you can easily get to Hua Hin by boarding a bus.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport

Modern 24-seat coaches that take you directly to Hua Hin are available at the airport. These coaches are equipped with a toilet, and water is provided to passengers free of charge.

You can find the service counter on the ground floor near Gate 8. Tickets cost 340 Baht each. Bargain!

The coaches depart the airport eight times a day, starting at 9 AM and every 1 hour and 30 minutes thereafter.

Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours, but allow extra time to get to Hua Hin especially during peak times when traffic is heavy.

Do note that these coaches have a strong air conditioning system, so here’s a little tip: bring a light blanket or sweater for a more comfortable journey.

After a flight and lack of sleep you're likely to feel the cold more, so with a blanket or jumper you can always cover your head and escape the aircon.

It’s also worth noting that you may be charged for extra baggage.

They allow a 20-kg piece of luggage and a hand bag (per person) that can fit in the overhead compartment. If you have more luggage than this, speak with the staff about fees.

You might get away with a laptop bag that you can sit with on your lap.

From Bangkok City Centre

If you want to catch a bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin goes from Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal), where the big buses are stationed. However, expect these buses to be slow, making the travel time as long as 5-6 hours.

It’s a bit challenging to get to the station because it isn't on a main BTS or MRT station. I'll list the address below but I'd recommend a taxi.

Expect to pay approximately 200 to 300 Baht for a metered taxi going from Khao San Road or Sukhumvit.

A bus ticket going to Hua Hin will set you back 200 to 300 Baht. You can buy a ticket upon your arrival at the station, but during peak times, it’s recommended to check if advance and book at a specific time so you can board at a specific time.

Buses depart every 20 minutes.

The Sai Tai Mai terminal functions as a shopping centre, so if you’re not pressed for time, you can visit the shops. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, ATMs, banks, a food court and even a clinic.

2. Hua Hin by Train

Despite being a normally slower alternative to buses and minivans, a train to Hua Hin is a great option for those who want a scenic route.

A train won't get caught in traffic but do note that they aren't always on time!

The Bangkok-Hua Hin train departs from Hua Lamphong railway station on a regular basis. Departure times start at 8:05 AM and finish at 22:50 PM. Average journey time is around 4 hours.

There are three different ticket classes to choose from, and fares vary depending on your chosen class, with third class priced at approximately 150 Baht, second class at approximately 400 Baht, and first class at approximately 600 Baht.

Air-conditioned sleepers are also available at higher prices and are recommended for those who want to travel through the night.

Normally, there’s no need to pre-book a train ticket to Hua Hin from Bangkok, as you can purchase even the third-class tickets directly at the counter on the day of your departure.

3. Hua Hin by Taxi

If you’re the type who puts comfort and convenience over expenses, taking a taxi to Hua Hin is your best bet.

You can book a taxi in advance for a specific price or negotiate with one upon your arrival at the airport or in the city centre.

Taxi stands in the airport usually have a fixed price set for a destination. For Hua Hin, expect to around 3,000 Baht. If you’re in the city centre, you might even negotiate a deal as low as 2,000 Baht.

Traveling by taxi to Hua Hin takes approximately 3 hours. There are private car companies to be found online; expect to pay 3,000-3,500+ for those.

hua-hin-temple

Also known as Wat Ampharam, Wat Hua Hin is the most important temple in Hua Hin. It is located in the center of town and is also a monastery.

4. Hua Hin by Minivan

The cheapest and easiest way to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok is by a minivan. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours, of course, still depending on traffic conditions.

Minivans have a capacity of 10 to 12 people and are equipped with air conditioning. Ticket price is approximately 180 Baht.

One advantage of traveling by minivan is the flexibility it offers in terms of departure points.

Unlike the Sai Tai Mai bus station, companies that operate minivan transport depart from the following accessible locations: Ekkamai, Khao San Road, and Mo Chit New Van Terminal.

One drawback of minivans is the limited space for both the passenger and baggage. So if you have lots of bags with you, traveling by minivan may not be a great idea.

It's cheap, but it can be a squash when full. I have to say, in my opinion this is the least safe way to travel.

Drivers work for companies and have deadlines to meet, which means they often drive way too fast. At least with a taxi you can tell them to slow down. When you're in a minivan with 11 other people you have a smaller voice.

=> Your Next Read: Things to Do In Hua Hin

5. Hua Hin by Plane

Although there is an airport in Hua Hin, there are no regular commercial flights from Bangkok. However, if you have the cash a private jet charter is an option.

Traveling by plane is absolutely the quickest way to reach Hua Hin – just 35 minutes travel time – but will be the most expensive one!

I have no idea how much this would cost. If you've taken one before, let me know in the comments section.

6. Hua Hin by Rent-a-Car

Renting a car is a good option, not least because you're in control of the car, but because having a car to drive in Hua Hin is very useful.

Unless you stay in and don't go out of the town, you'll need transport during your stay, which means daily Tuk Tuks, taxis or mini-vans.

It's a very convenient option if you’re traveling with family or friends, and the route is relatively straightforward from Bangkok – road signs are in both Thai and English.

One thing I would say is that if you're just come off a long flight and haven't slept much, renting a car could be a risk. I don't want you falling asleep at the wheel or losing concentration.

That said, if you can share the driving, you might even make a day of it and visit some spots along the way such as Nakhon Pathom’s giant Chedi, the Damnoen Saduak floating market, or one of the numerous temples in Petchaburi.

If you don't make any stops, you'll get to Hua Hin in under 3 hours.

Cars can be rented at the airport, but do book in advance. I've used Budget and Sixt in the past, without problem.

Depending on how much space is needed for your group and luggage. Prices for hatchbacks and sedans that can seat up to five people start at approximately 1,200 Baht per day, while 7-seater SUVs start at approximately 1,500 Baht per day.

Planning a trip and getting from point A to point B is unquestionably challenging especially if you’re not familiar with the place you’re visiting. But in the case of going to Hua Hin from Bangkok, the options are broad and easily planned.

All you need to consider is which is going to be the most comfortable, convenient, cost effective and safe!

Beach Tip: There are beaches in Hua Hin and in nearby Cha-Am, but the water and general prettiness may not what you expect in Thailand. As a rule of thumb, the further South you go in Thailand the better the beaches get.

However, if you want a good beach in Hua Hin head to Suan Son. It's the other side of the Buddha mountain, about 8km south of Hua Hin.

Tips to Start Planning Your Trip Now:

Book Your Flight

Find a cheap flight to Thailand using Momondo. This is my go-to search engine.

Book Your Accommodation

Best hotel rates are found at Agoda, Booking.com, and Hotels.com. For hostels check out Hostelworld.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never travel without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for 15 years. You should too.

Things to Do in Hua Hin

Check out these things to do in Hua Hin + hotel suggestions and nightlife overview.

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Last Updated on December 4, 2019

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Roger says

    August 14, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    Can’t find any website to give me DIRECTIONS for driving MY CAR, Suvarnabhumi to Hua Hin.
    I’m NOT interested in bus, plane, taxi, limousine service . . . !!!!
    Reply

    Aug 14, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    • James E says

      August 14, 2020 at 10:37 pm

      Take the route 35/4 option. Stop at the Talat Rot Fai Samut Songkhram or the floating market in Amphawa for lunch. It's an easy drive. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Suvarnabhumi+Airport+(BKK),+Soi+Mu+Ban+Nakhon+Thong+1,+Nong+Prue,+Bang+Phli+District,+Samut+Prakan,+Thailand/Hua+Hin+District,+Prachuap+Khiri+Khan,+Thailand/@13.187063,99.7130231,250669m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x311d67771542274f:0x120d19554f157a07!2m2!1d100.7501124!2d13.6899991!1m5!1m1!1s0x30fc5a59716311f3:0x30223bc2c367de0!2m2!1d99.9577223!2d12.568452
      Reply

      Aug 14, 2020 at 10:37 pm

  2. Glenys Brighton says

    June 21, 2019 at 6:12 am

    Hello. We want to find out the best way to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin and back again. We are staying Bangkok in July for 5 nights (. After reading the above comments now thinking about hiring a car from Bangkok. Can you tell me the best place to hire a car and if you think this is a good option as we are not sure where we are going . We have travelled to Thailand many times but havn't stayed in Hua Hin or Pattaya before. Open to any suggestions please. We have a total of 12 nights all up and decided to stay in Bangkok 5 nights first up.
    Reply

    Jun 21, 2019 at 6:12 am

    • James E says

      June 21, 2019 at 10:07 pm

      I've always had a good experience with Avis Thailand both in terms of the quality of the car and price/service. Book through the Thai website and you'll save a bunch of Baht compared to booking through the global site. Typically it costs in the 800 - 1,000 THB/day range. When you're in Hua Hin take a cab or a tuk-tuk in town and use the car for excursions into the countryside.
      Reply

      Jun 21, 2019 at 10:07 pm

      • TheThailandLife says

        June 21, 2019 at 10:36 pm

        I have used Budget on a number of occasions. As James said, booking through the .co.th wesbsite is cheapest.
        Reply

        Jun 21, 2019 at 10:36 pm

  3. Marc says

    May 5, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Bell Bus service from Suvarnabhumi to Huahin is now 390 baht, no longer 340. Still a bargain in my book.
    Reply

    May 05, 2019 at 9:51 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      May 5, 2019 at 11:19 pm

      Thanks for the update!
      Reply

      May 05, 2019 at 11:19 pm

    • Stam says

      February 12, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      Just paid 290 baht for a VIP van and wait for embarkation. I don't know yet what kind of van it is.
      Reply

      Feb 12, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      • TheThailandLife says

        February 14, 2020 at 10:56 pm

        Let us know how it goes!
        Reply

        Feb 14, 2020 at 10:56 pm

  4. nashwa says

    April 22, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    i want to rental car from bangkok to go to pattaya and hua hin
    but there are a Steamship from pattaya to hua hin that i can take the car from pattaya to hua hin
    Reply

    Apr 22, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      April 22, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      I'm not sure about a ship. There's a ferry but you can't a car on. Rental car is a god option. You can get one starting at around 1,200 Baht per day.
      Reply

      Apr 22, 2019 at 6:54 pm

    • James E says

      April 22, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      Rent the car in Bangkok and drop off in Pattaya. Take the ferry to Hua Hin and rent another car there. Drop that one back in Bangkok. No problem.
      Reply

      Apr 22, 2019 at 10:13 pm

  5. Peter says

    March 21, 2019 at 11:35 am

    About "Beach tip" : I live in Hua Hin just north of "the Buddha" at "monkey Mountain" , or Khao Takiab, and find the beach there to be smashing; the sand finer than that found on the beach south of the mountain. The entire beach between Centara Grand, at Hua Hin town center, down to the standing Buddha is lovely, IMHO.
    Reply

    Mar 21, 2019 at 11:35 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      March 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      Thanks for the tip Peter. I'll check that out next time I'm in town.
      Reply

      Mar 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm

  6. James E says

    March 12, 2019 at 2:42 am

    I did the drive to Hua Hin back in November 2018. It wasn't bad at all and gave us a chance to stop off and see some sights (the Mae Klong Railway Market and the Amphawa Floating Market) and slightly-off-the-track restaurants. The trip is all on main roads so gas and food is not a worry. Plus, since many of Hua Hin's sites are not easy to get to walking, a car makes it very simple to get out and about.

    The only thing I would have done differently is not take the car with the failing transmission. But that's another story.
    Reply

    Mar 12, 2019 at 2:42 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      March 12, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      I've done a minivan (shared) in my early days, but with family we usually take a private minivan. With the latter we get to make a stop and my wife can tell the driver to slow down! Thankfully I've never had a failing rental car, sounds like a nightmare.
      Reply

      Mar 12, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      • James E says

        March 12, 2019 at 10:50 pm

        Sadly, it wasn't a rental car but a borrowed family vehicle. It (other than the long uphill curve exit where the Sirat and Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressways meet) was a wonderful experience. Showed up at the Toyota dealership in Hua Hin about 15 minutes before closing. On a Friday! The techs pulled it in, ran diagnostics, reset the codes, and assured us the transmission would get us back to Bangkok (which it did, just). The grand total for this late-day-I-want-to-get-out-of-here service was THB0. Great people!
        Reply

        Mar 12, 2019 at 10:50 pm

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