Pattaya to Hua Hin

The fastest way and the easiest way

Your own van is the easiest way: about 5 to 6 hours, door to door, around the top of the Gulf, about 350 km, with nobody changing at an airport or a bus station.

See Bangkok to Pattaya, Bangkok to Hua Hin and every route on Getting around Thailand, and ask Tanner to set the day.

Is the ferry still running?

No. There's no ferry across the Gulf between Pattaya and Hua Hin now, so plan the trip by road.

Some booking sites still list an old catamaran. Ask Tanner before you buy any ferry ticket.

Is there a direct bus?

No direct bus runs from Pattaya to Hua Hin. One or two can take a bus to Suvarnabhumi, then Roong Reuang's bus to Hua Hin, about 4 hours, from ฿381, its own site shows. U-Tapao Airport's winter schedule also lists Ezy Airlines to Hua Hin six days a week, except Tuesday, from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027.

At the Hua Hin end you still need a ride to the villa. Ask Tanner and one van does both.

Is there a train?

Not directly: it means a train to Bangkok, the MRT across the city to Krung Thep Aphiwat, then a southern train to Hua Hin. The State Railway of Thailand's Special Express 43 runs from Bangkok at 7:30am to Hua Hin at 10:31am, SRT's 2026 timetable shows.

Two trains, the MRT and the bags make it a full day. Ask Tanner for the van instead.

Taking a taxi

Taxis charge a fixed fare per vehicle, and a taxi fits a few people and their bags, not a whole group. Ask Tanner for one van that fits everyone.

Why the group goes by private car

One van fits the whole group and the bags, leaves when you're ready, and goes door to door. On a long drive, a good seat matters.

• The van: a luxury van for up to 4, a party van for up to 10, or a coach for 20 and more.
• The timing: leave mid-morning, after a late one in Pattaya, and miss Bangkok's rush hours.
• Stops: lunch, a supermarket run or a bottle shop on the way.

Ask Tanner to set the van, drinks on ice.

Four of you, all in

The bus, with a change at Suvarnabhumi, suits one or two with light bags. For four, our luxury van for up to 4 is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, villa door to villa door.

Insider tip: after a late one in Pattaya, a morning bus is hard to make, so book the van and leave when you're up.

Tanner's pick: leave mid-morning on a Friday and be in Hua Hin for the Cicada Market. Ask Tanner to put the drinks on ice.

Pattaya first, Hua Hin after

Pattaya is the big party town. Hua Hin is the relaxed beach town: sunset at a sky bar, the night markets, then live bands on Soi Bintabaht.

Pattaya first, for the clubs, Walking Street and a yacht day to Koh Larn. Hua Hin after, for the beach and a quieter last few days.

See Pattaya nightlife and Hua Hin nightlife, then ask Tanner which order suits the trip.

Hua Hin after Pattaya

Slow it down: the beach by day, the markets at dusk, live music after dark.

Photo: Wutthichai Charoenburi from Bangkok, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Cicada Market: the weekend art and food market at Khao Takiab, Friday to Sunday evenings, so time the drive for a Friday.
• The beach: Hua Hin's long town beach, quieter than Pattaya's.
• A pool villa: the easy base, with your own DJ at ฿8,000 a day if the group still wants a party.

In the wet months, Hua Hin and Cha Am often get the best beach weather in Thailand. Plan it with Tanner.

Pattaya to Hua Hin in short

• By road: about 5 to 6 hours around the top of the Gulf.

• Distance: about 350 km by road.
• The bus: no direct bus; you change at Suvarnabhumi.
• Cheapest: the bus via Suvarnabhumi, with a ride at each end.
• No ferry now and no direct train; U-Tapao lists flights to Hua Hin this winter.
• For a group: your own van, villa to villa, about 5 to 6 hours.

Checked November 2026.