If you want to experience something other than bustling Bangkok, Hua Hin is what you are looking for. It is approximately 144 km (90 miles) from Bangkok to Hua Hin, a popular weekend beach destination for upper-middle-class Bangkok residents. This makes the area not too expensive. Local transport is relatively cheap and ideal for getting to the beach. Here you’ll find all the benefits of a beach spot with all the comforts you’d expect from a city.
Find out more:
• From Bangkok to Hua Hin by bus
• From Bangkok to Hua Hin by train
• From Bangkok to Hua Hin by plane
Hua Hin is a beautiful place to relax, which is why it was such an attractive place for the Thai royal family, who began building their summer residences in the area in the 1920s. Phra Ratchawang Klai Kangwon (Far from palace concerns) is still a royal residence today. If you want to follow in the footsteps of Thai royalty, you can do so by traveling from Bangkok to Hua Hin by bus, train or plane. But what is the best option?
Travel by bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin
Hua Hin is easily accessible from Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok’s modern international airport) or from Bangkok itself.
From the airport
You can travel directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin by a modern 24-seater bus. This bus has six daily departures starting at 7am. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on the first floor at Gate 8. This is where all bus passengers meet. The price of a bus ticket from Bangkok to Hua Hin is 305 baht.
Please note that the luggage allowance on the bus to Hua Hin is limited. You can bring a carry-on suitcase that fits in the overhead compartment and a suitcase that does not exceed 20 kilograms. There is also a surcharge of 50 baht for an additional piece of baggage weighing up to 20 kilograms. If you have more luggage, you will need to speak to one of the staff before purchasing your tickets. If you are also carrying some special large luggage such as a bicycle, they may charge you 200 baht more each.
Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Huan Hin is usually 3 to 4 hours, although it can be longer during peak hours. Traffic can complicate your journey, so it’s good to have plenty of time to get to your destination.
From the city center
Sometimes the most difficult way to travel from downtown Bangkok to Hua Hin is to get to Sai Tai Mai South Bus Station. The station is located near the Chao Phraya River and can be a bit confusing for visitors unfamiliar with the local transportation system. It’s generally easier to take a metered taxi to get there. From the old part of the city it will cost about 120 baht. If you live in the Sukhumvit area, you can take the 515 bus from the Victory Monument, which is a very cheap option. The 511 bus route also passes through various points in the city center such as Petchaburi Road before arriving at the South Terminal.
South Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok © Settawat Udom / Shutterstock.com
Once inside the terminal, you will need to purchase a ticket to start your journey. The price is around 200 baht and it is usually not necessary to buy it in advance, although if you are traveling on public holidays or in peak season, it is worth checking in advance to see if there are places available. The bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin departs every 20 minutes and the journey takes approximately 3.5 hours, although it can always vary depending on traffic.
Travel by train from Bangkok to Hua Hin
Traveling by train from Bangkok to Hua Hin is very easy as trains depart from Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue stations quite frequently between 8:05 AM and 10:50 PM. The journey is not fast, even the express train takes about 4 hours to complete the journey. The journey by high-speed train usually takes 4 hours and 15 minutes. There is also a regular daily service that ends at the same time as the express train. One of the most positive aspects of traveling by train is arriving at Hua Hin Station, one of the oldest in Thailand, which has a royal waiting room where the king and his court were greeted. The hall was moved from its original location at Sanamchan’s Palace in Nakom Pathom.
Train fares from Bangkok to Hua Hin are a bit tricky as there are three different classes, and prices vary widely from 44 baht for third class to 202 baht for first class. You also have the option of paying more for some amenities. For example, if you want to travel alone in a first class compartment on a day and night train, the price is 1,522 baht. There are also cheaper options for overnight travel, as you can opt for an upper berth in an air-conditioned second class compartment for 572 baht. If you plan to travel on a sleeper train, keep in mind that upper bunk beds are smaller, so tickets are cheaper than lower bunk beds.
The advantage of third-class train tickets from Bangkok to Hua Hin is that they cannot be booked in advance, so they can usually be purchased directly upon arrival at the station. Whichever ticket you choose, it’s worth checking train prices from Bangkok to Hua Hin before you travel, as they can fluctuate.
Travel by plane from Bangkok to Hua Hin
You can travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin by plane, but not by conventional airlines. There are currently no scheduled commercial flights between the two destinations, although both cities have an airport and you can book a charter flight to travel by plane from Bangkok to Hua Hin. As you can imagine, this is not a cheap option: chartering a light jet for up to an hour costs around 2,200 baht, and the flight from Bangkok to Hua Hin takes 35 minutes.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, the best way to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin is by bus or train. The bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin is a slightly faster option and can be cheaper depending on the class you choose to travel in. The train from Bangkok to Hua Hin may be slower and may not be air-conditioned depending on the class you travel in, but once you arrive you can enjoy the amazing Hua Hin Station. Despite the length of the journey, taking the route from Bangkok to Hua Hin by bus or train gives you the chance to enjoy spectacular views, including rivers, mountains and various temples along the way.