Getting around

Hua Hin is centred on Petchakasem Road, which runs in a virtually straight line from north to south, linking the airport and northern suburbs with downtown and the south of city. Virtually every major hotel and restaurant is located on or very close to this artery.  The generally recognised centre of the town is the clock tower, near the main Wat Ampharam temple and the Post Office/Town Hall crossroads. Many of the popular hotels, restaurants and shops are within a short distance of this spot. But visitors should really try to get out of town now and again, using local buses and taxis, etc., to visit the quieter, cleaner beaches and other places beyond the town limits. Also, be aware that it is easy to dehydrate when walking during the daytime, so make sure you take in plenty of liquid. However, with a bottle of safe drinking water costing less than 10 baht at any shop, this should not be a problem!

These `buses` are better described as being remodelled pickup trucks, and are certainly the cheapest way of travelling within the town. Easily spotted with their pale green chassis, these buses start/terminate at the 7-11/ Night Market crossroads  (map B-4) and run either north to the airport or south to Khao Takiab (map D-10). Frequency is roughly twice an hour (more at peak times) between 6am-6pm, and the cost 10 baht, paid to the driver when you get off. To stop one, just stand by Petchakasem Road and hail it when you see it approaching. To get off, just ring the bell in the ceiling, and then pop round to pay the driver. If you reach the terminal too late for the last one, you can still hire one for your own use by negotiating with the driver — though do not expect to pay only 10 baht!

Except for minor deviations, virtually every local bus (including those linking Hua Hin with Bangkok or with the south) runs along Petchakasem Road. Other than the high-speed blue-and-white bus to Bangkok, most buses have no designated stop — you just stand beside the road and hail it when it comes in sight. You then board and pay the conductor at your seat. Use these buses to reach outlying beaches like Suan Son or Ao Sai Noi, or cities like Petchaburi or Pranburi. Although the conductor will sometimes announce the next stop, it is best to keep your eyes open so as to know where to get up, to tell them you want to get off. Fares usually start from around 30 baht.

Apart from the air-conditioned buses (as shown above), there are also cheaper, non-air conditioned buses, easily distinguished by their bright orange colour. These generally cover smaller distances and except in the rainy season (when the windows are closed), can be much cooler than the more expensive buses. These are stopped in the same, hailing manner, and you pay the conductor in the same way. When you get near where you wish to get off, ring the bell, usually located in the ceiling. The fare is usually around 20 - 40 baht.

Perhaps the most `touristy` way of getting around, these  small, converted minivans are about the only door-to-door taxis available in Hua Hin. You can hail them on the road if you wish, but it would be easier to either call one of the Tuk-Tuk services and have them collect you, or go to one of their `ranks`, such as around the clock tower. The fee is completely negotiable but shouldn`t be more than around 100-150 baht within the town, regardless of how many passengers there are. They are very convenient if you need to go somewhere away from the main road, and are both comfortable and cool.

Throughout the town, you will often see groups of men (and occasionally women) sitting around under a tree or footbridge wearing brightly coloured, numbered vests. These are motorcycle taxi drivers and they will take you anywhere within the town for a negotiated fee. This is generally a safe and fast way to travel, for if the driver should act/drive badly, you can report him to the town authorities, using the number/colour of his vest and the place where he picked you up. The price entirely depends on distance and your negotiating skills, but can be as little as 15 baht up to around 100 baht for longer or late night journeys. These taxis are very popular with housewives on shopping trips and even regular commuters.

There are no metered taxis in Hua Hin and so the only public cars available are rental cars. In Thailand, it is generally not expensive to hire a car with driver, which can be done by phoning one of the many local taxi firms.  These can be useful for visiting more than one place for a day`s shopping, sightseeing, etc. The fee depends on distance, time and negotiations, but should be around 1500-2500 baht for a full day`s hire. Larger cars and minibuses are also available if needed.
If you are confident, you can also hire a car without a driver. Avis rent-a-car is located almost next to our office, they sometimes do not have English staff, so if you need any assistance, just visit our office.
HuahinJapan.com can assist you to hire a car with or without driver.

Hua Hin is still a small city, so it is not too difficult to drive.  If you decided to settle in Hua Hin and you are living out of public transport route, you might consider buying either new car or second hand car. However, due to high import duties, prices of cars tend to be more expensive than Europe or Japan.