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All you need to know to visit Hua Hin
Southern Thailand
230 km from Bangkok
Province of Prachuap Khiri Khan
Thai pronunciation : Houa Hin
- Budget
- 3/5
- Recommended stay
- 2 to 5 days
- Sightseeing
- 2/5
Travel guide to visit Hua Hin
The city is a former fishing village and became a very important destination for both foreign and Thai tourists. Thai people come to spend weekends or family holidays. The King of Thailand himself owns a residence nearby. Accommodations, seafood restaurants, pizzerias, bars, massage parlors are very numerous. Everything is gathered for relaxation and having a great time. There are even Thai Boxing stadiums orrfering games twice a week. Do not expect to have many attractions to visit, Hua Hin is mainly a long beach, a superb golf, massages parlors and a vibrant nightlife in some streets of the city. There are 3 night markets and 2 floating markets.For all the options for getting around Hua Hin, see our section on getting around in Hua Hin.
Accommodations in Hua Hin
In Hua Hin, the cheapest guesthouses are located on Naresdamri Road part along the sea, Poonsuk Road and surrounding streets. If you choose to sleep in this area you will not be far from the beach and restaurants and the liveliest bars in the city. Those seeking for a little less tourists will probably prefer staying in Khao Takhiap. There are also some small hotels and guest houses at low prices.Find accommodation in Hua Hin
My recommendations
People often ask me which accommodation I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations in Hua Hin.
Practical information about Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a popular seaside resort, renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and family beaches that often see a crossroads of foreign tourists who leave the beach when the sun goes down and Thais who go there precisely at the end of the afternoon when it is less hot. It is a touristy city but not too much (well yes on weekends but it is mainly Thais from Bangkok who come) with a wide choice of accommodation, restaurants especially seafood, even Western food, nice night markets, massage parlors and a soi (a small street) with gogo bars, that is to say if it is touristy ;). Nature lovers will also appreciate the Sam Roi Yot National Park, located further south in the province. There is also a large aquatic center and still small fishing ports.
How to go to Hua Hin ?
Hua Hin is famous for its yellow and red wooden train station, one of the oldest in Thailand (the oldest is in Kantang in Trang province), but it has recently been replaced by a newer, more modern, and less charming station a little further away. Recent improvements to the network have made the train journey to Hua Hin faster (book online HERE). There are about a dozen trains a day that serve the city, varying in speed and ticket price. Some depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station, while others leave from Bangkok's old central station, Hua Lamphong. However, buses and minivans are faster. Public or VIP buses depart regularly from Bangkok's South Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Minivans also operate this route from Chatuchak Minibus Station, opposite Mo Chit Terminal (book online here at the bottom of the page) or Ekkamai Terminal. Another convenient option is the VIP bus service connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport (timetables and reservations HERE) or, since March 2025, Don Muang Airport to Hua Hin, as well as Nakhon Ratchasima buses to Hua Hin. Additionally, Air Asia now operates direct flights from Chiang Mai.
How to get around in Hua Hin ?
To go to the nearby towns of Cha Am, Phetchaburi or Pranburi, you can take the red local buses that leave every half hour. Many private taxis also offer their services everywhere in the city but not for short trips. They can take you to Bangkok airport (but there is a VIP bus going there too) or Pattaya for example. Their prices are quite high. YOu can also try to use GRAB application (similar to Uber but there is more Uber in Thailand) which is now available in Hua Hin.
Festivals in Hua Hin ?
Here is a list of the main festivals held every year in Hua Hin. Their dates are published as soon as they are official on the Festivals in Thailand page.
Hua Hin International Kite Festival
This festival usually takes place in March
Hua Hin International Jazz Festival
This festival usually takes place in May
Hua Hin Annual Shrine Merit Making by the Sea Ceremony
This festival usually takes place in September
More about Hua Hin Annual Shrine Merit Making by the Sea Ceremony
Must-visits in
Khao Takiap
เขาตะเกียบMy opinion : 5/5
green hill at the edge of a long beach with a temple at the top and a large standing Buddha. There is also a small fishing harbor.
Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park
เขาสามร้อยยอดMy opinion : 5/5
Located at the edge of the sea with numerous caves including the very photogenic Phraya Nakhon Cave with its little royal pavilion lighted by a ray of sun comming from the opening at the top. The park is about sixty kilometers from Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan, thirty from Pranburi and a dozen kilometers from Kuiburi. There are a few accommodation options in the park.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
ถำพระยานครMy opinion : 5/5
It is the highlight of any visit to the Sam Roi Yod National Park. This beautiful cave hosts a small Royal Pavilion which is often illuminated by a ray of light coming from the opening at the top of the cave. A relaxing and very photogenic place which is also the emblem of the province.
Tamarind Market
ตลาดแทมมารินMy opinion : 5/5
A little after the Cicada Market, this other Hua Hin night market is open exactly the same evenings. It is almost entirely dedicated to food and drinks. It's personally my favorite weekend night market in Hua Hin.
Kuiburi national park
อุทยานแห่งชาติกุยบุรีMy opinion : 4/5
This thai national park, which is home to many animal species in lush nature with a few waterfalls, is the place where you are most likely to see wild elephants in Thailand ! There are more than 300 elephants in the park and tours offered by the park rangers give you a good chance of seing them.
Patio Old TOwn Night Market (ex Chatsila Night market)
พาทิโอ โอลด์ทาวน์My opinion : 5/5
This small night market juxtaposed to the Hua Hin Night Market offers a more intimate and artistic atmosphere with live music, art galleries and a pretty setting in a courtyard with white wooden bungalows. Personally, this is a night market that I really like.Other places to see in Hua Hin
Hua Hin Floating Market
Sam Pan Nam Floating Market
Wat Huai Mongkhon
Cicada Market
Pa La-U Waterfall
Weather & climate in
Hua Hin has a tropical savanna climate. The temperatures there are hot all year round, with only small variations. The year begins with the dry season from December to April, before the monsoon comes in May. The rains slow down somewhat from June to August and are the strongest in September until November.The best time to come to Hua Hin is from December to April. Then monsoon comes with heavy rainfalls generally quite brief from May to September. It is in October that it rains most in Hua Hin, this is why it is not the best time to come to Hua Hin.
How to ask the way in Thai to Hua Hin ?
I want to go to Hua Hin / Yak pai thi Houa Hin.Where is Hua Hin? / Houa Hin yu thi nai?
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