Located less than three hours away from Bangkok is Hua Hin, a seaside town worth visiting if you’re looking for a weekend getaway close to Bangkok. This is a place where people (like snowbirding retirees and high-society Thais) come to get away from it all.
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.
While you could very well visit Hua Hin’s top attractions in two days, giving yourself three days allows for a much more immersive experience. The area offers plenty of fun day trips, like sunset sailing on the sea, elephant watching at Kui Buri National Park, or trekking to the iconic Phraya Nakhon Cave.
And if you’re in need of serious relaxation, you could easily stretch your stay to a week, lounging by your hotel pool or soaking up the sun on the beach.
Ready to slow down and discover Hua Hin? Our 3-day itinerary will help you make the most of your visit without feeling rushed.
Got less time to spare? We also have a 2-day Hua Hin itinerary that works better for shorter weekend trips.
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Table of Contents
Day 1: Check-In, Pool Time, Hua Hin Night Market
Check-in; have yourself some pool time
If you’re traveling from Bangkok, you’ll likely arrive in Hua Hin between noon and mid-afternoon, leaving you with half a day to settle in.
Check into your hotel—hopefully, you’ve chosen a good one, as it’s your home base for relaxation and rejuvenation!
Take some time to explore the property, sip on a green juice, or freshen up after the journey. If you’re feeling motivated, fit in a quick workout or a dip in the pool to shake off the travel fatigue before diving into the rest of your Hua Hin getaway.
We stayed at the InterContinental Hua Hin and loved our stay! We spent time by the pool nearly every day of our 4-night stay.
👉 OTHER HOTELS WE RECOMMEND: The Standard, Hua Hin for some young and colorful energy OR Anantara Hua Hin Resort for an upscale peaceful retreat.
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!
Day 2: Day Trip To The Elephants (Or Phraya Nakhon Cave)
For your second day in Hua Hin, you’ll have the chance to choose between two epic day trips, both of which take place at local national parks.
- Option 1: Spend an afternoon elephant watching in Kui Buri National Park – With a park ranger and a local guide, spend the afternoon spotting wild elephants, gaurs, and maybe even a leopard.
- Option 2: Visit Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and the iconic Phraya Nakhon Cave – An iconic temple located inside of a cave, glowing in natural sunlight. From the entrance of the park, you can reach the cave by trail or boat. Most people opt for a day trip out of Hua Hin.
Option 1: Kui Buri National Park Wildlife Safari
Home to over 320 wild elephants, Kui Buri National Park is a dry-moist forest ecosystem that’s great for two types of people: elephant lovers and birdwatchers!
This 6.5-hour day trip kicks off in the afternoon and starts with a hotel pickup from Hua Hin. Once you get to Kui Buri National Park, you’ll transfer to a 4-wheel drive vehicle with a local ranger and your tour guide.
From 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, explore the park and witness its incredible wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for all the elephants! Afterward, enjoy dinner at a local Thai restaurant. You’ll be back at your hotel around 8:00 – 8:30 pm.
Option 2: Phraya Nakhon Cave Tour
On this 7-hour day trip, you’ll start with a scenic drive past pineapple plantations and fishing villages en route to Sam Roi Yot National Park. Once you arrive at the fishing village, you’ll take a boat to Laem Sala Beach.
Hike or walk to Phraya Nakhon Cave and admire the temple bathed in natural light. After snapping all the photos of this magical spot, you’ll get a chance to relax on Laem Sala Beach or take a swim if the weather permits.
After savoring a delicious Thai meal on the beach, return to your hotel with a deeper appreciation for Thailand’s natural beauty and local life.
SamPhanNam Floating Market
With the free time that you have on Day 2 (depending on which day trip you pick, you may have free time in the morning), head to the recently reopened SamPhanNam Floating Market.
During the pandemic, many local businesses in the area had to close their doors, leaving the market much quieter than usual. However, as of early 2025, the market has seen a resurgence, with businesses returning and the area buzzing with life once again!
You can do some souvenir shopping or get coffee, sweet treats, and plenty of Thai food.
This floating market is open from 8am to 8pm daily. Admission is free.
For a small fee, you can also ride the train, take a boat ride around the river, and feed the fish (all fun activities for families with smaller children).
Day 3: Beach, Food, and Market Vibes
Have breakfast
Kick off your third 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 right in the middle of town.
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 last night 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.
Got More Time? Other Things To Do In Hua Hin
Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise – Sail from Hua Hin to Kao Tao by a traditional pirate sailboat! Stop for swimming and water sports activities along the way before enjoying the sunset alongside dinner.
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!
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.
Where To Stay In Hua Hin, Thailand
InterContinental Hua Hin – We personally stayed here and loved our stay! The bed? Obviously luxurious. They also have an award-winning pool area with a swim-up bar along with poolside bites crafted by the beachside Mediterranean restaurant steps away.
Their morning breakfast buffet is also amazing! 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.
Guests also get unlimited complimentary access to Vana Nava Water Jungle (nearby water park), Arena Hua Hin (gym), and The Legend Arena (gym).
The Standard, Hua Hin – In a beach town dominated by mega-resorts, The Standard Hua Hin brings a much-needed dose of youthful energy. You’ll find all the modern fixings here, including fresh contemporary art, mid-century modern furnishings, and a fun mix of bamboo and bougainvillea dotted throughout the property.
Anantara Hua Hin Resort – This is another hotel we were debating between. 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. This one’s not as centrally located as the other two hotels above, but if you don’t plan on going out a lot, this is a great option.
It was so hard choosing between these hotels for our 4-night stay in Hua Hin, but we ultimately decided to go with the InterContinental since we had hotel reward points and the location was quite central.
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
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 in the southern Thailand 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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