How To Spend 2 Relaxing Days In Hua Hin, Thailand

Located less than three hours away from Bangkok is Hua Hin, a seaside town worth visiting if you’re looking for a getaway close to Bangkok.

Let’s get one thing out of the way though: don’t expect the powdery white sand, azure waters, and jungle-lined beaches you see on Thai postcards. For that, you’ll need to venture farther south.

Instead, Hua Hin offers a more relaxed vibe than Pattaya–its livelier and more touristy neighbor–with plenty to do for families, couples, and adults seeking a refreshing city break.

It’s also noticeably more affordable than Bangkok and Pattaya, making it a budget-friendly escape. The town stretches along nearly 12 miles of coastline, so getting around will involve Grabs, taxis, or tuk-tuks.

While you can hit Hua Hin’s top attractions in two days, giving yourself three or even four days in town allows for a much more immersive experience. Heck, you could even spend a week here unwinding by your hotel pool and on the beach!

Ready to discover Hua Hin? Our two-day itinerary will help you make the most of your short visit without feeling rushed.

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Getting to Hua Hin (From Bangkok)

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok is by coach bus. Buses regularly leave from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or Ekkamai Bus Terminal, taking about 3–4 hours, depending on traffic.

Tickets are super affordable (I think we paid 300 baht per person) and while they can be booked in advance, it’s a lot of work to try and figure out where to buy ’em and which bus station to get to in order to meet your bus.

I recommend just buying tickets at the bus ticket office on the day of travel once you arrive at the bus station.

That’s what we did for both legs of our trip. We departed from Ekkamai Bus Terminal. Across from the bus terminal is also where Mark Weins’ restaurant is (Phed Mark), so you can pop in for a quick meal if you have a long wait time until your Hua Hin bus arrives.

Since there are many departures throughout the day, you likely won’t need to wait more than 60 minutes for the next bus to depart.

Ekkamai Bus Terminal Address: 928 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Bangkok Bus Terminal Southern Address: 2/2, Borommaratchachonnani Rd, Chim Phli, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand

How To Get From Hua Hin To Bangkok: When you’re ready to leave, head to the Hua Hin Bus Station. You can also get to places like BKK Airport and Pattaya from this bus terminal.

There are clean bathrooms and a little snack shop available. Since there are NO restaurants, make sure to eat before heading to the bus station.

Hua Hin Bus Station Address: 1991/20 Phet Kasem Rd, Cha-am, Cha-am District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 76120, Thailand

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Day 1: Check-In, Pool Time, Hua Hin Night Market

Check-in; have yourself some pool time

After arriving in Hua Hin, head to your hotel to settle in and unwind after that long bus ride.

We stayed at the InterContinental Hua Hin and loved our stay.

If you’re staying at the InterContinental Hua Hin, take advantage of their award-winning pool area! You’ll find a swim-up bar along with poolside bites crafted by the beachside Mediterranean restaurant steps away.

Don’t miss their AMAZING morning breakfast buffet—expect everything from Hainanese chicken to congee, noodle soups to fresh tropical fruits, made-to-order eggs to fresh pastries, and everything else in between. The spread is massive and will leave you full and ready for the day ahead.

We also loved the fact that guests got unlimited complimentary access to Vana Nava Water Jungle (nearby water park), Arena Hua Hin (gym), and The Legend Arena (gym).

Another hotel we would have loved to stay at: Anantara Hua Hin Resort – Luxurious yet relaxing, Anantara is set amid 14 acres of landscaped gardens while still having its beachfront areas, plus the rooms are very attractive after its recent renovations.

Ultimately, we decided to go with Intercontinental since it was closer to the Hua Hin Night Market, Bluport Mall, Market Village, and other walkable attractions.

Relax with a massage (or other spa treatment)

Treat yourself to a relaxing massage right before dinner. While you could always opt for a super luxurious massage at your hotel spa, they’re not the most budget-friendly.

We ended up going to 99 Thai Massage Hua Hin, a surprisingly standout spot for body therapy. Whether you choose an aromatherapy oil massage or another non-Thai option, the therapists here will stretch you out at the end in a way that’s painfully good and incredibly rejuvenating.

This was easily one of the best massages I had during my three-week Thailand trip!

Hua Hin Night Market

End your first day in Hua Hin at the lively Hua Hin Night Market. This is the town’s main night market, so expect crowds! You’ll find tons of stalls selling clothing, crafts, desserts, drinks, heaps of street eats, and more.

If you enjoy good seafood, now is your chance to get some really fresh seafood!

For dinner, we ate at Lung Ja Seafood, where we feasted on lobster, river prawns, scallops, morning glory, papaya salad, and crab fried rice—all for under $40 USD. While everything was really good, the scallops, river prawns, and fried rice were the most standout.

The incredible value, fresh garlicky flavors, and buzzing outdoor atmosphere made our meal so memorable!

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Day 2: Beach, Food, and Market Vibes

Have breakfast

Kick off your second day with some breakfast! We had breakfast every morning at our hotel since it was included in our stay.

If your hotel does not come with breakfast, I recommend checking out The Juice Café, a super cute and tropical-themed morning eatery.

Hua Hin Beach or Vana Nava Water Jungle

After breakfast, you can take a walk along Hua Hin Beach.

The water in Hua Hin isn’t as nice as the waters you’ll find at the Thai islands, which is why we only ever walked along the beach (instead of swimming in it).

Alternatively, if you’ve chosen to stay at the InterContinental Hua Hin, you have free tickets to Vana Nava Water Jungle.

We visited the water park during our stay in Hua Hin and, surprisingly, had a lot of fun! The park isn’t the newest, but that didn’t stop the water rides from being super thrilling.

Even though the park catered more towards local teenagers and families, we did see a couple of other foreigners there.

In total, we rode about 6 or 7 different adult rides and had a small lunch there before heading back to the hotel (the shuttle ride to/from the park is covered in your hotel stay).

At most, you’ll spend 3-4 hours at the water park, so you can head back to the hotel by the late afternoon.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel

Return to your hotel for a shower and an afternoon of napping, swimming, or lounging by the pool. Use this time to recharge and take in the peaceful surroundings before dinner time.

Pre-dinner drinks at My Craft Bar & Bistro

Ease into the night with some pre-dinner drinks at My Craft Bar & Bistro, a cool indoor brewery that serves up a mix of local and imported craft beers, ciders, and mead. The food menu offers both classic pub grub and Thai dishes, making it a great spot to snack before dinnertime.

If you’re lucky, there might be a soccer game on, with plenty of locals gathered to catch the game. We loved it because of how welcoming, homey, and cozy it felt!

Dinner at Go Mak Restaurant (ร้านอาหารโกหมาก หัวหิน)

For dinner, head to Go Mak Restaurant (ร้านอาหารโกหมาก หัวหิน) for a proper air-conditioned meal at a sit-down restaurant. We ordered the crab meat glass noodles, fried oyster omelet, garlic kailan, and deep-fried prawns with crispy garlic—every dish tasted exceptional!

This ended up being another one of our favorite meals in Hua Hin!

Since it’s a super popular restaurant, you should try to make reservations ahead of time!

Take a spin around Hua Hin Market Village

From there, take a spin around Hua Hin Market Village, the town’s main shopping mall.

While some of the brands might feel a bit outdated, it’s still a fun spot to browse stores, check out what’s offered at restaurants and food stalls, and enjoy some prime people-watching.

The best part? The air conditioning makes it a great escape from the outdoor heat!

Take an evening stroll at Cicada Market

Wrap up your trip with a visit to the trendy Cicada Market (open Friday to Sunday, 4–11 PM). Known for its string lighting, artful stalls, boutique shopping, and street foods, this one’s a more upscale alternative to the Hua Hin Night Market.

Naturally, the food is going to be a bit pricier than at the Hua Hin Night Market. But you’re paying for the atmosphere too!

Stroll through, pick up a few souvenirs, stop for the little puppet show, and enjoy the live music and the buzzing atmosphere.

👉 Pro Tip: For better prices, you can pop on over to Tamarind Market, located just next to Cicada Market. Tamarind Market is open from Thursday to Sunday.

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Got More Time? Other Things To Do In Hua Hin

Spend a day elephant watching at Kui Buri National Park – On this half day tour, go on a wildlife safari in Kui Buri National Park to see wild elephants, gaurs, and leopards in their natural habitat. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to Hua Hin.

Day trip to Phraya Nakhon Cave – An iconic temple located inside of a cave, glowing in natural sunlight. Phraya Nakhon Cave is just an hour from Hua Hin within Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. From the entrance of the park, you can reach the cave by trail or boat. Most people opt for day trip out of Hua Hin.

SamPhanNam Floating Market – Recently reopened! You can do some souvenir shopping or get coffee, sweet treats, and plenty of Thai food. Admission is free. For a small fee, you can ride the train, take a boat, and feed the fish (fun activities for families with smaller children).

Wat Khao Takiap – A hilltop temple with pretty views of the city and the sea. There are also monkeys around here, so be careful not to bring food with you — they love snatching.

Mrigadayavan Palace – A summer palace built in the 1920s meant to serve as a holiday home for King Rama VI. Sadly, he visited the palace only twice before his passing. It is a mix of Italian and Thai architecture with beautiful grounds, large airy rooms, and long verandas to explore.

Ban Khru Suan by Pla – This Southern Thai restaurant recommendation comes from my friend who is from Thailand.

Khrua Huai Sai – If you want to try local food (and by local I mean none of the menu is in English), this is the spot! They’re known for their seafood. Again, this comes highly recommended by my Thai friend!

Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise – Sail from Hua Hin to Kao Tao by traditional pirate sailboat. Stop for swimming and water sports activities along the way before enjoying the sunset alongside dinner.

Siam Venezia – If you’ve ever seen The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, this attraction feels a little bit like that, mixing shopping and theme park activities. There’s a small zoo and a train here for the kids too. Families may have fun here, but adults with no kids should skip.

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Helpful Tips for Visiting Hua Hin, Thailand

• Getting to Hua Hin: Aim for a bus that departs between the hours of 9am-12pm. That way, you’ll get to Hua Hin around hotel check-in time.
• Leaving Hua Hin: Take a Grab or a taxi to the Hua Hin Bus Station. Since there are NO restaurants at this bus station, make sure to eat before heading to the bus station.
• You don’t need to pull your hair out trying to buy bus tickets online. You can buy tickets at the bus ticket offices and there are usually plenty of seats available.
• Pack sunscreen and mosquito lotion. While I didn’t get many mosquito bites in Bangkok, I sure did as soon as I got to Hua Hin! It makes total sense — less development, more nature.
• Visit during the weekend if possible. To enjoy Cicada Market (weekends only), plan your trip for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• The water in Hua Hin isn’t as nice as the waters you’ll find at the Thai islands. On some days, we found trash washed up along the beach (mostly on weekdays — it gets cleaned up for the weekend). Yet another reason to visit on the weekend!
• Avoid visiting Elephant Village. Yes, we know elephants are great, but not all places with elephants are the same. While it might sound tempting, this attraction promotes elephant riding, which is harmful to them and a big no-no. Opt for ethical wildlife experiences instead.

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