Hua Hin Thailand Travel Guide - Tours & Hotels

List of Hua Hin Hotels Resort

Hua Hin Information

Hua Hin is a seaside resort city in Thailand, but unlike (say) Pattaya or Phuket it's particularly popular for Thais. Hua Hin is near Bangkok and is a good weekend getaway. Hua Hin is becoming quite fashionable as a weekend spot for Bangkok residents and a retirement or vacation home community for foreigners. Although developing rapidly, there is a commitment by the local and provincial authorities to avoid the kind of overheated blight that has affected other beach resorts in Thailand.

Hua Hin as a resort was discovered in the early 1920s by King Rama VII as an ideal getaway from the sultry metropolis of Bangkok. The tranquil fishing village was turned into the Royal Resort and consequently became popular among Siam's nobility and upper class. In 1928, King Rama VII build his Klai Kangwon (Far From Worries) Palace. As of 2005, Klai Kangwon became the fulltime residence of His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej and is not open for visitors, although the outer palace grounds are open for walkers and joggers from 4pm to 7 pm daily. (Wear shoes, bring passport)

How to get here

By plane

Hua Hin Air Shuttle is currently the only passenger carrier offering regular flights to/from Hua Hin Airport. The price is very expensive compared to the distance and the time - 3400 baht one way, or 5800 baht return (adult, to/from Bangkok).

By train
Train is an easy method to get into Hua Hin, as the train station is right in the center of Hua Hin. However, the trains go very slowly getting away from Bangkok so 2 1/2 hour road time to Hua Hin stretches to 5 or 6 on the train. The price of the train is around 100 baht(and only 44Bath for ordinary train). See State Railway of Thailand for time tables and fares.

By bus
From Bangkok, buses to Hua Hin leave from the Sai Tai Mai terminal about every 20 minutes and take around 3.5 hours. The price (1st class) is under 200 baht. More convenient to downtown Bangkok, you can also take a minibus from the Victory Monument (Anusawari Chai) area, near the BTS skytrain. Cost is 180 baht, limited baggage. The Hua Hin vans board in the alleyway next to Rajavithi Hospital at the southwest side of the Victory Monument traffic roundabout. From the skytrain station, take the walkway towards the monument, then turn left and descend the staircase to street level. The minibus area is behind the food vendors area. Look for a small table with "Cha Am, Hua Hin" written in English to buy your ticket.

A 1st class bus service will eventually connect Hua Hin directly with Suvarnabhumi Airport (the new BKK).

By taxi
Taking a taxi from Bangkok to Hua Hin (distance about 200 km) is possible. Price after negotiation should be in the 2000 baht range. The limousine services, available at Bangkok Airport, are more expensive than an ordinary taxi.

Getting around

There are many ways to get around in Hua Hin, Sawngthaews run the same routes all day and cost only 10 baht. There are numerous motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks, fewer car taxis. Negotiate price beforehand. There are quite a lot of upscale tourists in Hua Hin and prices are sometimes adjusted upwards. Better to clarify the matter ahead of time. Car rentals are available, and this can be convenient if you're comfortable driving in Thailand. Motorcycle rentals are readily available. Hua Hin is very flat, and bicycle is a good way to get around locally. Rentals available, but not so prevalent as motos.

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