Hua Hin Travel Guide

Hua Hin is a laid-back seaside resort city in the middle of Thailand. It is popular with both Thais and foreigners and boasts a stunning long white beach and a small, low-rise town.

Hua Hin is just a few hours south of Bangkok by car, bus or train and makes a good escape from the general beachside tourist traps, like Phuket and Samui. Hua Hin is about the cheapest high profile beach resort in Thailand and has hotels that range from budget up to Hilton and Sofitel five-star quality.

The resort of Hua Hin first grew to prominence owing to its royal retreat status, with the Thai royal family having a palace here. It has grown fairly rapidly of late, with condos and hotels lining the beach all the way north to Cha Am as well as south although it is nothing as intrusive as other popular beach retreats in Thailand. Even the nightlife is pretty laid back.

The main attraction in Hua Hin is the beach; a long and wide white strip going from the center of Hua Hin all the way to the Muslim enclave of Khao Takiab, five kilometers to the south. The main part of the beach has batches of umbrellas here and there along with beach vendors and seafood restaurants at the top. You can also go horseback riding on Hua Hin Beach as well as enjoy water sport action.

Hua Hin is a real draw for foreign retirees owing to its sublime climate, cheap living and especially its golf courses. There are loads of them within reach of town, including the top 72-par Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. Other attractions include nearby national parks and the even more sedate resorts of Cha Am and Prachupa Khiri Khan.

Getting There & Away

You can be in Hua Hin in 30 minutes from Bangkok as it has a small airport just north of town, with four flights a day with SGA Aero. Taxis will get you here in about two or three hours from Bangkok, as will minivans, while buses take a little longer from the Southern Terminal and trains even longer again from Hualamphong Station. Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the closest major airport to Hua Hin, a 30-minute flight away.

Things to Do

Hua Hin Attractions

Hua Hin Beach: The star attraction in hua hin extends for several kilometers to the south and features lovely white sands, a few beachside hotels, horseback riding, seafood restaurants and a smattering of water sports.
Railway Hotel (Sofitel): One of hua hin’s main landmarks, this colonial-style mansion is near the resort’s famous rocks.
Klai Kangwon: This is the palace that king rama vii had built and is located just a few kilometers north of the railway hotel.
Wat Khao Takiap: A steep hike up scores of steps will get you to this popular temple, which can be found in the little fishing village at the southern end of hua hin beach. views from the top are staggering.