11 Things to Do in Hua Hin

Hua Hin is one of eight districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in Thailand.

Since it is a popular tourist spot in the country, you will find multiple things to do in Hua Hin, whether you are on a solo trip or going with the whole family.

It is located on the eastern coast of the country and is located almost 200 kilometers (124 miles) and about 2 and a half hours south of Bangkok.

If you head a bit more south, you will come across Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, which holds Phraya Nakhon Cave. Both the national park and Hua Hin are located in the same province.

The district is known for its nightlife, tropical savanna climate, and it is the country’s first beach resort. You can shop, spend the day at a beach, take a day tour, do some Hua Hin sightseeing, or just relax.

Before this resort town became a popular destination, it was best known for having Klaikangwon Palace, which was the summer home to one of Thailand’s former kings, and sometimes it is open to the public. Klai Kang Won in Thai means far from worries.

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Travel Tips For Visiting Hua Hin

If you are a seasoned solo traveler, then you will probably already know most of these tips. If not, then hopefully you can use these tips in your future travels for when you head out to explore the world. These tips will be useful in Hua Hin and around the rest of the country.

• Keep track of your belongings (including your drink!)
• Travel in pairs, or once you are in the car/tuk-tuk, make it known that you are meeting someone (even if you aren’t).
• Be mindful of scammers
• You will see children walking around and selling things. It is normal in tourist places all around Thailand.
• Please do not ride the elephants. If you come across a ‘sanctuary’ it is best to look them up beforehand to make sure they are ethical.
• If you are visiting a temple, you must have your shoulders and knees covered. Some places might offer temporary clothes for you to wear but it is always better to be prepared.
• Always check online or call stores/attractions before going. Google isn’t always up to date with the opening and closing hours.
• Use sunblock!! The sun is STRONG in Thailand. Supergoop is great for any trip because it is safe for the ocean and for your skin! Even if you sweat a lot (like me) it does a decent job and it can always be reapplied.
• Get yourself some durable walking shoes- you’ll need them.

How to Get to Hua Hin

From Bangkok

To get to Hua Hin district from Bangkok, you will find that it is quite simple.

You can:

• Drive
• Fly
• Take a taxi
• Take the train
• Take a van

Driving in Thailand can be dangerous and confusing, especially for the ones that are used to driving on the right side of the road (like in the United States). If you rent a car for your time in Thailand, get the best insurance possible because driving, particularly in the city, is insane because everyone is in a hurry.

Taking a taxi can cost up to USD 50 or 60 going one way, which is the most expensive option. Make sure you download the Grab app to get the best price. And if you want to take a taxi, show the driver the app to compare prices.

Find more apps to download for Thailand here.

If you plan on flying to Hua Hin, you will want to fly into Hua Hin Airport (HHQ). The airport is about 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) from downtown.

Taking a van from Ekkamai in Bangkok can cost about THB 250-300 (USD 7). You will stop at the Hua Hin Van Station and it will take about four hours. This will probably be the cheapest and most comfortable way to go. The vans have AC!!

Riding on the train can take up to five hours. You will want to look for Hua Lamphong in Bangkok and then it will stop at the Hua Hin Train Station.

From Mahachai

You can take a van directly from Mahachai to Hua Hin for less than USD 5. The ride should take around three hours, depending on how many stops there are in between. If you drive, it will take a little over two hours (and be careful!!). Taking a taxi will cost somewhere between USD 30-40.

Once you get to the van station in Hua Hin, you can take a tuk-tuk to your hotel or hostel since they will be everywhere. There will be tons of hotels and hostels in the area so make sure you have the name written down or easily accessible in case the driver needs it.

What to Do in Hua Hin

• Eat Thai food (street food)
  • It’s cheap and filling
• Try a local fruit
  • Dragonfruit
  • Durian
  • Mangosteen
  • Rambutan
  • Longan
  • Jackfruit
• Spend time at the beach
  • There are a few beaches in the district so check out which one is closest to you, you will not regret it!
• Spend a few hours at a market
  • You can find inexpensive food and other things to support the locals and have a taste of authentic Thai food.
• Visit at least one national park in the area

Things to Do in Hua Hin

Are you wondering what to do in Hua Hin? Well let’s just put it this way, it might be difficult to narrow your bucket list down. Just be warned that it might be hard to reach some of these attractions on foot. However, there will be tuk-tuks and taxis available all around Hua Hin.

One of the most prominent attractions in Hua Hin includes Hua Hin Soi Bintabaht Walking Street. If you enjoy partying and dancing, then you will find countless places on this street.

The Hua Hin nightlife will have you watching the sunrise.

You can find a few water parks in this area, as well as markets and beaches. I recommend visiting at least one beach and one market while you are in Hua Hin.

Here are some of the places to visit in Hua Hin:

• Black Mountain Water Park
• Cicada Market
• Hua Hin Beach
• Hua Hin Night Market
• Hua Hin Soi Bintabaht Walking Street
• Kaeng Krachan National Park
• Khao Takiab Beach
• Market Village Hua Hin
• Maruekhathaiyawan Palace
• Pranburi Mangrove Forest
• Sam Pan Nam Floating Market

Black Mountain Water Park is 15 minutes away from the center of Hua Hin. It has 9 slides and 7 different types of pools. It is one of the many Hua Hin tourist attractions that can be for the whole family since they even have a children’s pool. The entrance fee for adults is THB 450 (USD 13) and the park is a favorite among both tourists and locals. You can find snacks or eat at the restaurants that are within the park.

Cicada Market is a weekend night market where you can find entertainment, clothes, homemade items, and cheap Thai food.

Hua Hin Beach is one of the best beaches in Hua Hin. You can swim, rent a lounge chair, or play some sports. The water is crystal clear and warm with strong waves. Sit back and watch the sunset.

The Hua Hin Night Market is a traditional market where you can order some fresh Thai food or buy some clothes and souvenirs.

You should spend at least an hour or two on Hua Hin Soi Bintabaht Walking Street. This street is one of the main attractions of the district. You can find food or a drink for a reasonable price while you sit outside and people watch. Don’t be surprised if you see children walking around selling items.

Some bars worth going to include Blue Monkey and Ibiza. Both places will usually have a DJ and the drinks are decently priced. At Ibiza, you can play some pool while sipping on an ice-cold beer.

Even though Kaeng Krachan National Park is actually in Kaeng Krachan District. You can take a day trip from Hua Hin to see the diverse wildlife and rivers throughout the park.

Another popular Hua Hin attraction is Khao Takiab Beach. You can find temples and restaurants nearby.

Market Village Hua Hin has everything you need. If you forget a bathing suit or want to see a movie during your trip, this is the place to go. You can find over 100 shops and restaurants inside the market.

You can head to Maruekhathaiyawan Palace to explore this 1920s beach palace where King Rama VI spent his summers.

Take a boat ride or walk through Pranburi (also spelled Pran Buri) Mangrove Forest.

You have to visit a floating market while in Thailand. Unfortunately, Sam Pan Nam Floating Market has seen better days. It was heavily affected by Covid and as a result, this place is still struggling and there are many vacant spots. If you are heading back to Bangkok, take a stop in Samut Songkhram to see a floating market or two.