Getting From Prachuap Khiri Khan to Hua Hin
For some reason I can’t fathom, dramatically more people visit Hua Hin than the beautiful town of Prachuap Khiri Khan. We recently had to go there to buy a camera battery charger since ours broke, and I have to admit, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out the appeal of Hua Hin. With that said, if you’re staying in Prachuap Khiri Khan, it’s absolutely worth doing a day trip there just to cross it off your list. And luckily, it couldn’t be easier to get there!
The Essentials:
Cost: 80 baht (about $2.65 USD) as of December 2019
Van frequency: every 20 to 30 minutes from 5 AM to 8:40 PM
Trip duration: about an hour and a half
Step 1: Go to the Public Van Stop in Prachuap Khiri Khan
If you ask for a bus to Hua Hin, you’ll be directed to the van stop instead. These vans basically operate as buses, and English-speaking locals in Prachuap Khiri Khan tend to use the terms interchangeably.
The public van stop is located on Prachuapkhirikhan Road. If you’re using Google Maps to navigate there, search for Prachuap Minivan Station.
The easiest way to get to the van stop is to take a tuk-tuk, which you can catch all over town. If the driver doesn’t understand where you want to go, ask to go to Makro. This large store is a familiar landmark, and the public van stop is right next door.
Step 2: Buy a Ticket to Hua Hin
When you get to the public van stop, go inside the small square building that’s right in the center of the parking lot.
Once inside, head to counter 7 (there should be a sign saying “Hua Hin”). Each counter can only sell tickets to specific destinations, so there’s no point going to a different counter even if there’s a line.
Buy your ticket(s) to Hua Hin. There’s no need to buy round-trip; you can buy your return ticket when you’re in Hua Hin and ready to come back! A one-way ticket from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Hua Hin costs 80 baht (about $2.65 USD) as of December 2019.
Step 3: Find Your Van
On your ticket, you’ll see a number indicating which parking spot your van should be in. (Don’t worry, there aren’t many options.) Head to that spot.
There’s a chance that your van will actually leave from a different spot. The drivers congregated outside know what they’re doing, and they’ll point it out to you if you need to get in a different van. (With that said, obviously use common sense and only get in an official van with other travelers!)
Step 4: Go to Hua Hin!
Your van will go to Hua Hin, making stops along the way for people to get on or off. The total travel time is about an hour and a half.
Once you’re in Hua Hin, the van will make multiple stops. Keep an eye on your phone’s map and get out whenever you’re near your destination!
Step 5: Going Back to Prachuap Khiri Khan
Once you’ve had your fill of Hua Hin, you can head back to Prachuap Khiri Khan. The easiest van stop to find (and the nearest to the downtown area where you’ll probably be) is at the Hua Hin Tourist Centre (confusingly, NOT the Tourist Information Center). You’ll find the right place at the intersection of Phet Kasem Road and Naebkehardt Road.
The ticket booth is immediately outside the main door to the Hua Hin Tourist Centre. Ask for your ticket(s) to Prachuap Khiri Khan, pay 80 baht each, and take a seat until your van arrives.