Traveling to Thailand isn't complete without visiting a beach, and that's one of the reasons why you should visit Hua Hin. The city may not be as popular as some other beach destinations like Phuket or Krabi, but it's a great alternative if you still want to visit a beach in Thailand without traveling too far from Bangkok.
Just like Damnoen Saduak, so many travel agents offer Hua Hin as a destination for a day trip from the capital city of Thailand. However, I would argue that Hua Hin is worth visiting more than just for a day trip from Bangkok.
In this post, I'm going to share some of my two cents about traveling to Hua Hin and why you should add the city as one of your destinations while traveling to Thailand. So, here we go!
Hua Hin is a beach resort town situated only around 200 kilometers from Bangkok, making it a great destination for a beach getaway from the capital city. The city is also known as the golfing capital of Thailand, and I can confirm this because I once had a date with a professional golfer who just happened to be based in Hua Hin. LOL.
When my boyfriend and I decided to visit Hua Hin, our main consideration was because of the limited time we had in Thailand. We only had 2 weeks in the country, and we wanted to explore the northern part of the country. As we realized that we didn't have enough time to go south to the cities and islands that are more popular as beach destinations in Thailand, Hua Hin was our perfect choice.
Initially, we were planning to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin. But after we decided to stay in Kanchanaburi for 2 days, we then decided to take the bus from Kanchanaburi to Hua Hin instead. After 2 days in Hua Hin, we headed back to Bangkok from Hua Hin, we're happy with our final decision when traveling to Thailand this time!
Why Visit Hua Hin in Thailand
Hua Hin is a perfect destination if you have limited time to travel around Thailand, but still want to make the best out of it by experiencing a beach getaway in the country. From Bangkok, there are at least two beach destinations you can visit easily: either Hua Hin or Pattaya.
We decided to visit Hua Hin instead of Pattaya because we heard some negative reviews about the latter. And honestly, we weren't disappointed with the decision as we had a blast in Hua Hin!
In this section, I'm going to share my two cents about why I think you should consider visiting Hua Hin when traveling to Thailand. What are they? Check this out!
1. Hua Hin is a great destination for a day trip from Bangkok
Bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
Bangkok to Hua Hin by bus will take approximately 3 hours, making it a great place to go for a day trip from the capital city. If this is what you want, you can take the morning bus at around 7 AM so you can spend the whole day around Hua Hin beach before returning to Bangkok.
Alternatively, you can also take a train from Bangkok to Hua Hin. The journey will take longer, since it takes approximately 4.5 hours to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok by train. However, it will guarantee you comfort, especially if you book a second-class sleeper train for the route.
In fact, apart from the Death Railway from Bangkok to Nong Khai, the train trip from Bangkok to Hua Hin can be a scenic journey that stops at the Hua Hin Railway Station. The railway station in Hua Hin is one of the city landmarks, which is known for its beautiful wooden structure with a distinct Thai architectural style that's worth a stop before exploring other places to visit in Hua Hin.
Since I didn't get a chance to take the train when traveling from or to Hua Hin, I couldn't talk more about it. However, if you want to take the bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin, the easiest way to do it is by taking a bus from Mo Chit terminal in Chatuchak. In English, Mo Chit terminal is known as the Northern Bus Station in Bangkok.
When we took the bus from Hua Hin to Bangkok, we initially bought a bus ticket from Hua Hin to the South Bus Terminal as it was closer to our apartment in Bangkok. However, there was trouble in the bus operation so we had to get off at Mo Chit terminal anyway. We paid 180 THB (around $5 USD) per pax for a bus ticket from Hua Hin to Bangkok.
If you plan a day trip to Hua Hin, you can ask the driver to drop you off at Green Market. You can just take the bridge to cross over, and Hua Hin beach is only within walking distance from there. Most bars and restaurants in Hua Hin only accept online payment through QR code, so unless you have a Thai bank account, be sure to withdraw enough cash at Green Market before heading to the beach.
2. Hua Hin is an excellent beach destination in the heart of Thailand
Hua Hin beach, Thailand.
Hua Hin is the best spot if you want a beach getaway in the center of Thailand, especially one that is not too far from Bangkok. Hua Hin beach stretches for several kilometers, with so many activities to do, from swimming to extreme watersports like jetskiing or paragliding.
Whether you prefer sunbathing while enjoying some cocktails at the bar nearby, or you want to jump into the water and swim, there's only so much to do on the beach in Hua Hin. Some sections of the beach are also suitable for watersports, so you can either bring your esurf or rent a jetski while enjoying the waves around Hua Hin Beach.
There are some massage parlors on the beach too, so if you're keen to relax and get some massage, you can definitely go there although it's usually so crowded that you might have to get on the waiting list for it!
The beach was quite lively when we were in Hua Hin, but it wasn't full so it's still a great one to visit. You can rent sunbeds or beach mats on the beach, but you can also bring your own if you want to save a few bucks.
Alternatively, you can order some food from a restaurant that provides chairs by the beach. However, be prepared as the food and beverages there can be quite pricey for the latter. If you plan to relax on Hua Hin beach without spending too much money, I'd recommend bringing your own sarong and just finding an empty spot to relax there.
We rented a beach mat on the second day we were in Hua Hin, and we paid 40 THB (around $1.2 USD) for it.
3. There are plenty of activities you can do in Hua Hin
Apart from beach, there are many places you can visit around Hua Hin. You can go to Khao Takiab at Chopstick Hill to visit the temple full of the resident monkeys, just around 15-minute drive from the city center.
In the same area, make your way to visit Wat Huay Mongkol, the home to the largest statue of Luang Phor Thuad. The latter was a South Thai monk who dedicated his life to the practice of Buddhism. He's eventually known for the pursuit of his spiritual enlightenment. Born in Songkhla Province, Luang Phor Thuad is currently known for his spiritual teachings, legendary miracles, and protective powers.
If you don't mind going a bit further away from the city center, you can also visit Sam Roi Yot National Park where you can explore the wildlife in the region, as well as beautiful nature from mangrove forests to stunning viewpoints.
When in Hua Hin, you can also visit the night market and enjoy various choices of food over there. Whether you want to grab some fresh seafood for dinner or prefer having some BBQs, it's a great place to go in Hua Hin!
4. It's relatively easy to get around Hua Hin
You can hire a tuk-tuk to get around Hua Hin, as you can find a tuk-tuk for hire in almost every corner of the city. The key is to haggle the price they offered you first, as from my experience, most of them would try to rip you off if you don't try to bargain.
Otherwise, you can also play it safe and use Grab app to get around Hua Hin too. There are more fleets for GrabCar than GrabBike in Hua Hin, but at least you don't have to worry about getting ripped off when booking a transport via this app in Hua Hin!
Tuk-tuk in Hua Hin, Thailand.
5. There are so many decent hotels with affordable rates in Hua Hin
Although it's a great destination for a day trip from Bangkok, it's worth staying in Hua Hin for a few days as you can easily find some great hotels with affordable rates around the city.
If you have an extra budget for accommodation in Hua Hin, you can book a room at some hotels with direct beach access like Anantara Hua Hin Resort. Or if you're a member of Hilton Honors, you can also take advantage of your points by staying at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa.
Alternatively, you can also book a hotel without direct access to the beach but with a free shuttle service for the guests. We stayed at Hua Hin Grand Hotel & Plaza where we could take advantage of their shuttle bus to and from Hua Hin Beach.
We stayed at a Superior Room at the hotel for IDR 683,413 (around $45) per night, and we're happy that we could enjoy all the facilities that the hotel provided from the shuttle service, to their huge swimming pool!
FAQs About Traveling to Hua Hin
As usual, I'm going to list some of the frequently asked questions about traveling to Hua Hin in this section so you can consider whether it's a great idea to visit Hua Hin next time you're in Thailand!
Is Hua Hin good for couples?
Hua Hin is definitely a top-notch destination for a romantic getaway. It's a great spot to relax, whether you just want to chill on the beachfront while enjoying your cocktail or just try some adventurous activities like kitesurfing or paragliding together.
Since I was traveling to Hua Hin with my boyfriend, it checked all the items on my checklist for a romantic destination. From swimming late at night at the hotel's swimming pool while staring out the sky and talking about life, to strolling around the beach while occasionally playing with the waves. It's definitely a great place to visit for couples!
How safe is Hua Hin?
Hua Hin is one of the safest places to visit in Thailand, and from what I saw when visiting the city, Hua Hin is also one of the best family-friendly places to visit in the country.
I saw a lot of families traveling to Hua Hin with their young children, and I occasionally saw some kids playing around the beach wearing their school uniforms. I feel like this is the place where anyone can travel around without having to worry about their safety.
The roads in the city center are also pedestrian-friendly, and they're definitely less busy compared to Bangkok!
How long would you recommend to stay in Hua Hin?
I think 2-3 days should be alright to stay in Hua Hin. Since we had limited time to travel around Thailand, we only managed to stay for 2 days and 1 night in Hua Hin and we didn't get a chance to visit all the places we should visit in Hua Hin because of this.
However, since our main goal for traveling to Hua Hin is to go to the beach, 2 days and 1 night are enough for us to explore the beach in the city. If you plan to go beyond the beach around Hua Hin, I recommend staying there for 3 or 4 days!
A view from our hotel room in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Conclusion
Hua Hin may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you plan for a beach getaway in Thailand. However, it's a great destination to go if you don't have plenty of time traveling in Thailand from Bangkok while still wanting to explore the beach vibes in the country.
Whether you want to go on a day trip from the capital city or decide to extend your stay for a couple of days, Hua Hin is worth visiting if you are looking for destinations with a nice beach with white sands near Bangkok. It's a great spot for a romantic getaway, while it's also suitable for family traveling with young children!
Have you been to Hua Hin? How was your experience when traveling to Hua Hin? Share in the comment below, and cheerio! 🙂
Marya The BeauTraveler
I am the founder and main editor at The BeauTraveler. I spent 4 years working in the aviation industry but ironically got to travel more right after quitting the industry in 2015. Born and raised in Indonesia, I started working remotely in 2017, and while I stay at home most of the time, I also regularly spend 2-3 months living a semi-digital nomad life elsewhere every year.
I can second that! I have visited once and stayed a few days with friends. while the beach isn’t super amazingly scenic, it is clean and fine for swimming. I love Hua Hin has an actual town with temples, markets, etc. etc. and isn’t just a big tourist resort. We also went to loads of markets, the beautiful train station and celebrated King Rama IX birthday there – a once in a lifetime event. Took the sleeper train there (had a bed for three hours, perfect) and a “fancy” minibus back to Bangkok, very easy to get there.
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I can second that! I have visited once and stayed a few days with friends. while the beach isn’t super amazingly scenic, it is clean and fine for swimming. I love Hua Hin has an actual town with temples, markets, etc. etc. and isn’t just a big tourist resort. We also went to loads of markets, the beautiful train station and celebrated King Rama IX birthday there – a once in a lifetime event. Took the sleeper train there (had a bed for three hours, perfect) and a “fancy” minibus back to Bangkok, very easy to get there.