Hua Hin is a seaside resort in Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand, three hours' drive south of Bangkok. Since the 1920s it has been a favourite place of the Thai royal family, which has the summer palace Klai Kangwon here, so the town has a calmer and more elegant character than Pattaya or Phuket. It has a long sandy beach, a night market, fish restaurants, golf courses and shopping centres. It is popular with families, seniors and golfers. In the surroundings are national parks, caves and waterfalls. From Bangkok you travel here by car, train or bus in three hours, from Prague by plane to Bangkok in eleven hours. The best time is November to February, when it is dry and pleasant; in September and October is the rainy season. You pay in baht and prices are low. The water is not of snorkelling quality, but the beach is comfortable.
The places worth your time in Hua Hin, and what to expect at each
centre
A long sandy beach of fine sand where horse riding is offered, and a promenade with restaurants. The sea is shallow and calm. It is the main beach of the resort, but not as clean as on the islands.
Tip: Early in the morning it is calmer. Horse riding costs about twenty euros. Loungers are free if you buy food.
centre
A night market in the centre of town selling souvenirs, clothing, fish and seafood. In the evening it is full of tourists and locals. Seafood is grilled on the spot.
Tip: The market opens at six in the evening. Bargain over prices; seafood is paid by weight. Taste prawns and octopus.
edge of town
A weekend art market with handmade goods, live music and food, in an open compound. It is a favourite place for families. Performances by artists are held here.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday from four in the afternoon. Bring cash. Come before dusk.
centre
The oldest station in Thailand, from 1926, in the style of old Thai pavilions. It is a picturesque attraction and a symbol of the town. The Royal Pavilion stands beside it.
Tip: Photographing is free. Trains run to Bangkok; look at the Royal Pavilion.
5 km from the centre
A hill south of the town with a temple and monkeys that has views of the coast. There are beaches and bars. The monkeys are dangerous; do not approach them.
Tip: Do not carry food in your hand; the monkeys steal. The temple is free. From the hill there is a lovely sunset.
20 km from the centre
A temple with a huge Buddha statue thirty-five metres high and a famous monk to whom Thais make pilgrimage. It is located twenty kilometres west of the town. It is a calm place of pilgrimage.
Tip: Cover shoulders and knees. Entry is free, a donation is welcome. Come in the morning.
Cha-am
The summer palace of King Rama VI from 1924, entirely of wood, on the beach at Cha-am. It is a lovely example of Thai architecture and the entry is cheap. The palace is open daily.
Tip: Entry costs about three euros. Cover shoulders and knees. Come early in the morning.
60 km from Hua Hin
A national park with limestone cliffs, marshes and the Phraya Nakhon cave with a pavilion in the middle. You can watch birds and monkeys here. It lies sixty kilometres south of the town.
Tip: The trail to the cave costs about five euros and takes half an hour up. Bring water and sturdy shoes.
50 km from Hua Hin
The largest national park in Thailand with rainforest, waterfalls and wild elephants. You can see tigers, gibbons and birds. It lies an hour's drive from Hua Hin.
Tip: Choose an organised trip with a guide. Bring repellent and a jacket. The best time is November to February.
Photos: Hua Hin Beach — Wednesday Putty (CC BY 3.0) · The Hua Hin Night Market — Slyronit (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Cicada Market — Ratana Limnararat from Bangkok, Thailand (CC BY 2.0) · Hua Hin Railway Station — Suikotei (CC BY 4.0) · Khao Takiab — josef knecht (CC BY 3.0) · Wat Huay Mongkol — Kosykelvin (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Kaeng Krachan National Park — JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: markets and beach
The area around the station, night market and beach with hotels and restaurants. Everything is at hand. Best for a first visit.
Best for: beach and calm
A district south of the town with a calmer beach, a temple hill and hotels. It is calmer and cheaper. A good choice for families.
Best for: calm and golf
Districts with resorts, golf courses, pools and villas, a few kilometres from the centre. It is calm and spacious. Suits a longer stay.
Best for: cheap accommodation
Neighbouring resorts with lower prices, long beaches and less bustle. Hua Hin is half an hour away. Suits families.
The nearest international airport is Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), two and a half hours' drive; direct flights from Prague run in eleven hours. Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) has only domestic flights. From Bangkok a minivan, bus or train runs in three to four hours. A transfer from the airport to Hua Hin costs about fifty euros.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) · 200 km
Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) · 5 km
The centre of Hua Hin can be walked. Songthaews and tuk-tuks run around town. Grab is cheap. A scooter is rented for a few euros. For the national parks and markets a scooter or car with a driver is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Grab, Bolt, Maps.me
Hua Hin has a tropical climate. From November to February it is dry and pleasant, around thirty degrees by day. From March to May it is hot. From June to October it rains, most in September and October. The best time is November to February.
Best time
November to February
What to avoid
September and October (heavy rain)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 31° | 32° | 33° | 34° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° |
| Night | 22° | 23° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 22° |
| Rainy days | 10 | 20 | 40 | 80 | 170 | 100 | 100 | 110 | 280 | 210 | 100 | 25 |
| Sea | 28° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° |
Thai cooking in Hua Hin includes fresh seafood, Thai curries and street food. A main dish costs two to five euros, seafood four to fifteen euros. People drink Singha beer and fresh fruit juices.
Grilled seafood
Prawns, octopus and fish grilled over charcoal and served with sauce. Best at the night market.
Pad thai
Fried rice noodles with prawns, egg and peanuts. The best-known Thai dish.
Tom yum
A hot and sour soup with prawns, lemongrass and lime. A typical Thai dish.
Green curry
A hot curry with coconut milk, basil and chicken. Served with rice.
Mango sticky rice
A sweet dessert with coconut milk. Popular after a meal.
Fruit shakes
Fresh fruit blended with ice. A refresher all day.
Street food
Skewers, fried rice and noodles for a few baht. Cheap and good.
Coffee
THB 60–100
Pad thai
THB 60–120
Lunch in a restaurant
THB 100–300
A beer
THB 70–120
Grilled seafood
THB 200–600
Horse ride
THB 800
3★ hotel (night)
THB 1,200–3,000
Massage (hr)
THB 300–500
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Khao Sam Roi Yot
60 km · 1 hr 15 min by car
A national park with limestone cliffs and the Phraya Nakhon cave. It suits a full-day trip.
Kaeng Krachan
50 km · 1 hr by car
The largest national park in Thailand with rainforest and waterfalls. It suits a full-day trip.
Bangkok
200 km · 3 hrs by car or train
The capital of Thailand with palaces, temples and markets. It suits a trip or the way back to the airport.
It is calmer, more elegant and suits families and seniors. Pattaya is livelier and has more entertainment. Hua Hin has a smaller choice of nightlife.
By minivan or bus in three to four hours, by train in four hours, or by private transfer in two and a half hours. A minivan costs about five euros.
November to February, when it is dry and pleasant. In September and October there is heavy rain. From March to May it is hot.
The water is slightly cloudy and the beach is not as clean as on the islands. It is fine for swimming. For snorkelling choose the islands.
It is cheap: lunch costs two to five euros, a hotel thirty to eighty euros a night. A massage costs eight euros an hour.
Yes, it has a gradual beach, a water park, markets and a safe setting. Children enjoy horse riding and the zoo.
Czech citizens can enter Thailand visa-free; the length of stay changes, so check current conditions. The passport must be valid for at least six months.
Grilled seafood at the night market, pad thai and tom yum. With them fruit shakes and mango sticky rice.
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Check visa requirementsLanguage
Thai
Currency
THB
Timezone
Asia/Bangkok
Dial Code
+66
Population
71.8M
Area
513,120 km²
Voltage
220V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Left
