Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s premier beach resort towns on the Gulf of Thailand. It is located less than 200 km south of Bangkok, making it one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations for city residents.
“Huahin” pronounced “ Hua – Hin “ หัว Hua in Thai means head and หิน Hin means stone. Therefore, Hua Hin means “ Stone Head “ , was named after the rocks at the north end of the powdery sand beach.
Before I was not very fond of this town because of its brown beach. I have been to Hua Hin many times since my first visit in year 2011. The more I come here the better feeling I have for this place. It has a delightful mix of city and sea with a laid-back ambience, lively night markets, tasty fresh seafood and a long peaceful beach.
If you’re looking for an out of town beach getaway for a couple of days then Hua Hin is perfect. It’s not the best beach in Thailand, I must admit, but it is one of the best options for a Bangkok getaway.
- Relaxing Beach if you are into scuba driving, snorkeling – there are nothing to see under the water here apart from brown sand and black rocks. However, Hua Hin is a perfect location to relax and rejuvenate yourself with sea breeze and beaches. The beach here is also really long and wide, so if you like walks and the kids love space to play then it is spot on.
- Peacefulness Hua Hin is the best city to spend quality time with your family. Bars and pubs are located in the designated areas so you will not hear disturbing noise all night. Also Hua Hin is a royal city where our current King and previous King resided or used Hua Hin based as royal palace i.e. Khao Tao palace, Summer Palace of King Rama 6, Klai Kang Won Palace and more!
Note: Be sure to dress politely when visiting palaces in Thailand (no shorts, skirt above knee length, tank top, spaghetti strap top, or tube top) or you will have to cover up yourself with a top and a sarong like Pear and I in the picture below. 🙂
- Delicious Seafood There are tons of seafood restaurants from street sellers to luxurious BBQ for you to choose. Don’t worry if you have allergies to shellfish or not a fan, Hua Hin is full of cafes, bakeries, local food and international food. You surely will find something you like.
4. Lively Night Markets A visit here is an absolute must during your stay. It is located in the centre of town and runs up from Petchkasem Road to the railway line and opens from around 18.00-23:00. The market is a fascinating insight into Thailand and the way Thais like to live. I have been to this night market many times and every time, it doesn’t fail to fascinate me, it is full of color and life!
(The night market is open every day. If you want to avoid crowds, plan for other activities on Friday and Saturday.)
There is also a night weekend market called Cicada with booths, food stalls and local groups performing live music, dance & fire shows. It is a good place for looking for handicrafts and special gifts.
- Hua Hin = Relaxation with massage and spas. If you feel the need for time out to pamper yourself, Hua Hin has number of treats for you.
- Fun Water Parks There are two water parks in Hua Hin; Black Mountain and Vana Nava with a range of rides and slides. It makes a fun day across all ages.
- The most beautiful train station in Thailand One of the oldest railway station in Thailand is here and arguably the most beautiful. It is the icon of Hua Hin. The station was built in the reign of King Rama VI and it features a Royal Waiting Room with Thai architectural style, a room which was relocated from Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom province during the reign of King Rama VI.
8. Pala-U National Park Hua Hin has not only the beach to offer, but also a region of uninhabited peaks and valleys. The park is one of the largest in Thailand and sits right next to the Burmese (Myanmar) border. It is loacted 60kms west of Hua Hin. It is home to the 11-tiered Pala-U Waterfalls, a Karen ethnic hill-tribe community, more than 400 species of birds, wild elephants, bears, tigers and a multitude of rare mammals, flora and fauna.
Pala-U means bamboo forest in the Karen language. Usually a trip to Pala-U Waterfall can be arranged by a tour operator in Hua Hin. You can expect a one-day trip that includes transportations, national park fee, lunch and drinks. It takes 1.5 hours from Hua Hin town to Pala-U Waterfall.
9. Best Thai-Style Breakfast can be found here. When you are in Hua Hin and would like to experience morning meal like a Thai, go to ‘เจ๊กเปี๊ยะ Jek Pia’ coffee shop and order โจ๊ก Joke – the thick rice congee porridge. This over 50-year-old restaurant also serves good seafood Khao Tom (ข้าวต้ม boiled rice) and other delicious Thai seafood dishes. This place is well-known among Thai tourists so be prepared to wait in a line if you go in Saturday morning or dinner time on Friday and Saturday.
10. It is near Hua Hin is very close to Bangkok – only 3 hours by car and the options for public transport are many. You can go by minivan, bus, or train.
How to Get to Hua Hin
– Railway: Hua Hin railway station is part of the southern rail route that starts in Bangkok. Trains run all day and night between the cities. Don’t expect to arrive or leave on time! Check timetables and fares here.
– Bus: There are buses direct from Bangkok to Hua Hin from Southern Bus terminal. This will take about 5 hours.
– Minivan: Catch a minivan for 180 Baht from Victory Monument in front of the Century mall in Bangkok, it takes about 3 hours.
Where to Stay in Hua Hin?
There are numerous numbers of accommodation in Hua Hin from budget room to five-star oceanfront resorts. Personally, I enjoy a place by the beach with a beautiful swimming pool. Here are a couple of places I have stayed and would like to recommend.
1. Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort – here is my favourite place so far. The room is beautiful and nicely decorated. The pool is very nice and large. Breakfast is excellent. The beach in front of the premises is also nice and not crowded.
2. Marrakesh Hua Hin Residences
Marrakesh is a beachfront morroccan-style property offering stunning views of the sea along with its enormous swimming pool that is as long as the whole complex. The location is really nice, the beach is beautiful and it’s really easy to access it from the garden at the end of the swimming pool.
3. โรงแรมบ้านนิลรัตน์ (Baan Nilrath Hotel)
For a quick budget trip that you don’t need a beachfront stay, Baan Nilrath is a good choice. It is in a great location – walking distance to the night market, Hua Hin Beach (about 600 meters) and Soi Binthabaht where Hua Hin bars are located. The room is new, clean and spacious for the price and the staff are very friendly.There is a swimming pool on the rooftop. Breakfast buffet doesn’t have a good variety but you can always go to many cafes and bakeries in town.
4. Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin
On my last trip I wanted to stay at this resort but it was fully booked which happens vey often in almost beachfront places every Friday and Saturday (if you would like to stay in a nice place in a good location, remember to make a reservation well in advance). It has large and beautiful grounds. The beach here is also quiet and clean, the sand is powdery soft. Personally I think this spot has the prettiest beach in Hua Hin. The location is superb, it is located right in the middle of the city centre but when you are inside the premises you feel like you are somewhere far from the touristy area. I am sure this resort will make a wonderful holiday for you.
Lastly, a reason why I like to visit Hua Hin is that my team member and my friend teacher Pear lives here. I like to getaway from the busy Bangkok to spend a good time with her. 🙂
If you are in town and interested to have in-person Thai lessons with Pear. We are also happy to arrange the meeting for you. See more details HERE.
Very nice work, you explain everything in deeply and make the people to understand, I personally, heartfully appreciate your work, GOD BLESS you. Can you guide me, Can you go to Hun Hai in the moring and come back to evening to Bangkok – I am planning to visit on 26th Jan.
You can do one-day trip to Hua Hin from Bangkok, but it would be tiring as the journey takes 3 hours one way so round trip would be six hours. I suggest you to stay at least two nights in Hua Hin to enjoy the town and go into relaxing mode.
Several months ago I decided to learn Thai and I would like to thank you and Kru Pear for your great job, most professional videos so good explanations. And everything with smile and so pleasant atmosphere everyone can feel. I do clips for my job so I really know it’s not easy. Appreciation to your work and talent 🙂
Sawatdii ka Paul, thank you so much for your kind comments. We are happy to hear that you found our videos useful in your Thai learning. Hope you continue to follow our lesson in the future as well.Please keep practicing your Thai. 🙂
A few days ago I returned from Thailand and had possibility to check in practice what I have learned. Sometimes was funny, often I was able to communicate 🙂 Pronunciation and tones are so important (you emphasis this all the time) but there is one thing.. If I say “R” sometimes nobody understands me.. For example price RAKAA: everyone says LAKAA. Sometimes L instead of R, but after K is always H, for example KHAP instead of KRAP. What do you think about it?
Grateful for you work Paul.
PS. the effort You did is so valuable for The Thailand country, I’m not sure You aware of this.
What sights! Were those chairs on some kind of an infinity pool or was there mild flooding? 5555
They intentionally put the chairs in the pool. 🙂
Hi Mod, thanks for a good article on Hua Hin .I am there now for a few days and you have provided some good info . I travelled from Bangkok Airport in a lovely brand new VIP air con bus . It was just like travelling first class with lots of leg room . A great choice and only 274 baht. The counter is on level one near gate 8 if anyone is interested.
Sawatdii ka Brian, thank you for sharing the information about the bus from the airport. It will be useful for many travellers. Hope you had a good time. 🙂
Hua Hin I have been since 2004 and it has become more touristyover that which is a good thing and a bad thing
When I went I stayed at the Hilton and at that time there were about 3 major hotels and the night market No shopping and very quiet Now it still has that same feeling but more traffic and Market Village as a place to go in the daytime You can travel further south and there are some more nice hotels with just the beach and nothing nearby if you want a very quiet place
For the distance to go from BKK its not that far and the last time I came back through Cha Am that is now just a concrete jungle along the beach Again when I went there about 2005 it was empty I think maybe Cha Am will become the next Pattaya but Hua Hin will always have the more classy cool feeling
BTW there is a mice block of white concrete about half way down the beach near the Marriott hotel that sticks out from somebodies property That is my seat on the beach 🙂 you cant miss it as its the only place to sit down as you walk down 🙂
Thank you for your comment Mark. Traffic during weekends in Hua Hin could be busy indeed, but it is so much better than Bangkok. I also spent some time during the Weekday and it was very quiet which I loved. 🙂
Welcome
if you want even more peace and quiet head about 45 minutes south from Huahin to Dolphin Bay area I stayed somewhere down there and there was nothing whatsoever just the beach and nice hotels dotted around but for me I miss the night market and the shopping and football on the big screen 🙂 and I cant swim so central huahin is perfectly fine for me even though been so many times ( I actually went 3 times in a month but dont tell anybody ok ) I love Bkk but when I am there I want to go to Huahin and when I am there I miss Bkk so I always go and back again but thats just me There is a place that I want to check out that is maybe of use to you called Hua Hin Ham & Bacon Co., Ltd. its on facebook and sells farang foods and chocolates proper English Cadburys and Tea etc in Huahin If you fancy some chocs or have people asking where they can buy such products then worth a mention
Thank you for the wonderful pictures and information about Hua hin it’s just what I needed to know as I’ll be visiting there on my next trip to Thailand.
Thanks Mod and Pear 🙂
Thank you for your comment. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed this post. You will have a great time in Hua Hin for sure. 🙂
Sawatdee Khrap kruu Mod& kruu PeaR I have seen on maps hua hin and I have had thai lesson to know that hua is head and hin is rock . I said to a girl in my small class , isn’t hua head & hin rock, chai she said two weeks later it is on a video. Timing is everything thank you for your video’s Kruu Mod & Kruu PeaR always fun and informative khawp khun khrap maak maak Pom rak korng khun ngahn khrap yes still learning khrap
Sawatdee ka Greg, it is nice to hear that you enjoyed this post and our videos. 🙂
Please let me correct the word order in your Thai sentence ‘I love your work’. The phrase ‘your work in Thai word order is ‘work your’, so it is ‘ngaan korng khun’.
Enjoy learning Thai! 🙂
Hua Hin winery – about an hour from Hua Hin – is a nice place to visit. Great wines and great food in a relaxed setting. They also have a shop / bar in Hua hin where you can taste and buy their wines.
I have heard of this place but haven’t been there. It sounds very interesting. Thank you for your suggestion. 🙂
Kruu Mod,
One of my favorite Thai destinations. The palace of Rama VI is beautiful, and well taken care of. The grounds are stunning. There are bungalows around if you look. Very quiet and very family oriented. The beaches to the south are where you can purchase crab right off the boats. True that the beaches aren’t the best, but they’re not bad. You can travel about 30 km north to Cha-am and the beaches are a little better if this is a must. It is very close to other destinations as well. Ratchaburi province has many attractions, such as the River Kwai, and the Damnoen Saduak floating market. All well within driving time of Hua Hin, making it an excellent place to center a holiday package.
I totally agree with you. My mom took me to Cha-am many times when I was a kid but I prefer Hua Hin’s atmosphere. 🙂
Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi is nice. I haven’t been back to that area for a while. I think it is time to revisit. River Kwai is in Kanchanaburi which is not too far from Ratchaburi (1.5 hrs drive), that province is also lovely.
Thank you for your suggestion. 🙂
We will be visitng Thailand next week! First Chang Mai, then Pak Chong, and our last week we’ll be in Bangkok. We may visit this place too!
Welcome to Thailand. Your travel plan sounds very good! The weather is very pleasant now especially in the north. Have a great trip! 🙂
on the pictures I can see that the two of you are really enjoying your lives and are so very happy! also you both are looking more and more beautiful every time!
Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Great pictures! This makes me want to go back to theThailand so badly. You’re so lucky!!
Thank you. We are grateful to be in Thailand. You should come back soon. 🙂
ผม คิดถึง มะม่วง สีเหลือง
I wish I could eat those here.
This type of mangos is called น้ำดอกไม้ (naam dork mai) มดก็ชอบมากๆค่ะ 🙂
Well that’s interesting for I have never heard them described like that before.
น้ำ means water right? And ดอกไม้ means flower right? So water flower. I think if I asked for that on a Thai market I’m not sure what I would get. Usually they understand มะม่วง สีเหลือง (mango Yellow colour) And yes, Motd chob gin mamuan see leuang. I have to eat them before the ants get them !
Hua Hin is also my most beloved beach and city in Thailand. I have only been five times there, but feel always very good.
Thanks for beautiful pics and tipps,
Hans
May be I’ lucky next time to see Pear or even you in Hua Hin.
Thank you for your comment. Please contact us if you would like in-perosn Thai lessons when you are in Hua Hin next time. 🙂
Very nice, but you forgot อนุสาวรีย์บูรพมหากษัตริย์ไทย 7 พระองค์.
My friend who lives in Hua Hin also suggested me to visit the King statues, but unfortunately I didn’t have enough time. I will surely do on my next visit. 🙂
Thank you very much for the excellent explanation and introduction of Hua Hin.
We love Hua Hin since 7 years and bought a house recently, never regret.
Congratulations on your new house. I would love to have a holiday home in Hua Hin in the future too. 🙂
Very interesting and informative.
I’m sure that soon take advantage of your advice.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comment. I am happy to hear that you found my post interesting. 🙂
been many times to HUA always enjoy my stay
It was nice to read your blob as i know all places you mentioned
i get the air con bus from level 1 at airport its great and direct to hua.
my friend lives i same street as the Royal home he is in soi 3
now i usually go Jomtien but will visit Hua for 3 days
ps love you girls as do all your readers
Thank you for your comment. It reminds me that there are also minivans go to Hua Hin directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport. When we came back from Czech Republic in June, teacher Pear went to the ground floor to catch a minivan back straight to Hua Hin. It is good to know that there is also air-con bus available. I will add this information to my post. 🙂
We are happy to hear that you enjoy our work. Kop kun ka ^_^
Thank you Khun Mod for this great introduction to Hua Hin ! Great pictures and very informative.
I was just wondering whether you could also write it in Thai – or an easier version of it ?
This could boost the reading skills of many of us, I suppose.
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed my post. Also thank you for your suggestion. I will try to write new posts in both Thai and English in the future. 🙂
Very nice! Hua hin also my favorite!
Thank you for your comment. 🙂
Very nice pictures. Good article. Thanks Mod & Pear!
Thank you for your kind comments. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the article. 🙂