The charming resort town of Hua Hin in Thailand is not very large, so it is certainly not difficult to get around. Exploring the center of the town is easy as it is compact and convenient, and getting further afield is also a simple matter. Here’s what you need to know about transport and getting around in Hua Hin.
With a population of just over 80,000, Hua Hin is small in comparison to the metropolis of Bangkok and the beach resort of Phuket. It is, however, expanding all the time and becoming more and more popular. While the town is bunched around a small area where you are never far from the beach, the hotel, restaurants, or shops, sometimes you will need to explore and choose a transport option. Here are some easy methods of transport to choose from in Hua Hin.
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1) Exploring Hua Hin On Foot
If you are staying at one of the hotels or resorts in the center of Hua Hin it is not likely you will need a car or any other mode of transport if you simply want to visit the beach, the town itself, and a restaurant or bar. You can walk pretty much anywhere you need to go to access shops and entertainment options. Walking is safe on the whole in Hua Hin as there is not so big a traffic problem as in Phuket or Bangkok, but you do need to be careful when crossing roads and when walking at night. Stick to well-lit streets or take a good flashlight – particularly as power cuts are reasonably frequent.
2) Tuk Tuks in Hua Hin
Tuk-tuks are the three- or four-wheeled, basic, open-sided taxis that you will see all over Thailand. While they were once the mode of transport of choice for budget travelers, nowadays they charge a rather steep set price and it is not the cheapest way to get around Hua Hin. However, it is convenient and you will certainly get a close-up view of the town. To ride in a tuk-tuk you simply hail one in the street, and then set a price with the driver before you move off.
3) Motorcycle Taxis in Hua Hin
Motorcycle taxis are probably the widest available form of transport in town and you will get to your destination in a fast time, but it is not the safest form of transport as you will not usually be supplied with a helmet and you need to hang onto the back of the driver. A good option if you are short of time and don’t mind a little risk.
4) Taking Songtaews Around Hua Hin
And then there are the songtaews, the converted trucks that act as the convenient and cheap form of public transport a lot of people use in Hua Hin. There are four main routes the songtaews ply, which operate every 15 minutes or so. The first main route is from Khao Takiab to the airport in Hua Hin and it costs around 10 baht to get from the center of town and a further 10 baht to then get to the airport. The trucks leave every 15 minutes and operate up to around 9 pm in the high season and 6.30pm in the low season.
A second route takes you around the inner city of Hua Hin, and the trucks go clockwise and anticlockwise along this route and the journey costs around 10 baht. The trucks usually go every 10 minutes or so and you simply need to flag one down to get on.
The third route is from Maegep to Makro and this service also runs around every 15 minutes in peak season and every half an hour in low season. Traveling the entire route costs around 30 baht but you will pay less if you travel a lesser distance.
Taking the fourth route you go from Hua Hin to Huay Mongkol and pass by landmarks such as the railway station, the floating market, the market village, Majestic Golf, and the Huay Mongkol floating market. This route operates every hour and the cost depends on how far you are traveling.
5) Hua Hin Rickshaws
If you are in no hurry, the three-wheeled bikes that travel around town are cheap and plentiful although you will take a little longer to reach your destination. You can also take rickshaw tours which are an ideal way to see the town in style.
6) Taking a Taxi in Hua Hin
Taxis are plentiful and it is easy to take a taxi to reach any destination you desire in Hua Hin. If the driver is not using the meter make sure you negotiate a price before you set off.
For more information and inspiration on Hua Hin, Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok and more, visit Phuket On. Your destination for Thai travel tips and accommodation options.
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