I have been traveling to HH now for 4 years and I still haven't found a very comfortable inexpensive means of travel from BKK. I would like to hear from you regulars what you feel is the best means for getting back and forth.
I can now travel lightly as my condo is outfitted and no longer need to travel with golf clubs and the like. One trip I flew a late flight into BKK from Korea, spent the night near the airport and took the morning train to HH. That wasn't too bad, except that the train was an hour late on departure and relatively slow.
Another return trip I used the bus to the south terminal from the station on Sa Song road, that bus was brutally slow and then I was surprised to find that the south terminal is an awfully long ways away from BKK.
I enjoy using public transportation and why not save the expense of a taxi, looking forward to your suggestions,
Ed
Transportation suggestions
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Marky_Mark
- Member
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:00 pm
- Location: Perth
Hi Ed
I would also be interested in the above...
I read on the Travel page on HHAD about the mini vans from around Century Cinema in BKK...apparently 200 baht, once the mini van is full with passengers they depart.... has anyone used these mini vans?
I usually pay 1800 for a taxi from swampy to HH.
Cheers
MnK
I would also be interested in the above...
I read on the Travel page on HHAD about the mini vans from around Century Cinema in BKK...apparently 200 baht, once the mini van is full with passengers they depart.... has anyone used these mini vans?
I usually pay 1800 for a taxi from swampy to HH.
Cheers
MnK
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Marky_Mark
- Member
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:00 pm
- Location: Perth
Soondae.
This is on the travel page...im sure someone has used this service and will comment soon
Hua Hin Minivan
This service runs from the small soi on Petchkasem road next to the Honda motorbike dealership, see our Hua Hin map for details. They start at 05.00 and run until 18.00. Again no need to book as they will depart when full. Cost is 200 Baht and drop off is Victory Monument. Travel time is around 2.5 hours. Coming to Hua Hin from Bangkok is just as easy, but the arrival/departure point has changed recently. You take your bearings from Victory Monument BTS skytrain station and head for Century Cinema. Hua Hin minivans can be found here. If you're in any doubt, just ask for the cinema and you'll be pointed in the right direction.
Cheers
MnK
This is on the travel page...im sure someone has used this service and will comment soon
Hua Hin Minivan
This service runs from the small soi on Petchkasem road next to the Honda motorbike dealership, see our Hua Hin map for details. They start at 05.00 and run until 18.00. Again no need to book as they will depart when full. Cost is 200 Baht and drop off is Victory Monument. Travel time is around 2.5 hours. Coming to Hua Hin from Bangkok is just as easy, but the arrival/departure point has changed recently. You take your bearings from Victory Monument BTS skytrain station and head for Century Cinema. Hua Hin minivans can be found here. If you're in any doubt, just ask for the cinema and you'll be pointed in the right direction.
Cheers
MnK
Here is some info:
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/mi ... t8658.html
But it could do with an update from people who recently used it. Anyone?
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/mi ... t8658.html
But it could do with an update from people who recently used it. Anyone?
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
Yes, the Mini vans run from Victory Monument, which is pretty much central Bkk, and on the BTS. The seats are small and you have to pay extra for a large amount of luggage, basically if it takes up another seat you have to pay for that as well. The advantages are they are cheap, quick, and central drop off, but the disadvantages are they can be driven a bit erratically, and the seats are small / cramped. Depends on your body size!
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Marky_Mark
- Member
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:00 pm
- Location: Perth
Soondae,
Every question you've asked has had a thread of it's own fairly recently. I suggest you look around on the forum or try the search option.
But, to summarize, mini vans do run to and from the center of Hua Hin from somewhere near the Victory Monument (exact location moved recently). This is by far your cheapest and fastest option but some of the drivers are scary and the vans can be packed so it may not be a particularly comfortable two hours.
The big air con buses only run from the Southern Terminal in BKK which, even though the busses are cheap, runs up the price of the trip as you have to pay for a taxi to this fairly far out BKK location.
Trains are slow because they make a lot of stops and don't seem to adhere to a schedule very well.
No more air service as of a couple of months ago.
The ferry to Pattaya has been a rumor off and on for the last five years but has never come to pass (and probably won't).
Every question you've asked has had a thread of it's own fairly recently. I suggest you look around on the forum or try the search option.
But, to summarize, mini vans do run to and from the center of Hua Hin from somewhere near the Victory Monument (exact location moved recently). This is by far your cheapest and fastest option but some of the drivers are scary and the vans can be packed so it may not be a particularly comfortable two hours.
The big air con buses only run from the Southern Terminal in BKK which, even though the busses are cheap, runs up the price of the trip as you have to pay for a taxi to this fairly far out BKK location.
Trains are slow because they make a lot of stops and don't seem to adhere to a schedule very well.
No more air service as of a couple of months ago.
The ferry to Pattaya has been a rumor off and on for the last five years but has never come to pass (and probably won't).
Make that fifteen years at least that I know of.
Here is one thread about it. There are probably more.
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/pa ... ya%20ferry
Here is one thread about it. There are probably more.
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/pa ... ya%20ferry
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
Recent info re the minibus.
The cost is still 200 baht and they still drop off at the Century Cinema Mall, which is directly under the Victory Monument BTS station. You can access the station via the stairs that are literally five metres from the drop off point, or directly through the mall.
From Victory Monument you have easy access to Sukhumvit, for example, in around 20 minutes - could not be easier.
If you're heading from BKK to Hua Hin simply take the BTS to VM and exit at the Century Cinema Mall stair well - very well signposted within the station. The mini buses are located in the small soi directly to the left side of the mall and there's a raised table with three guys selling tickets. Just tell them Hua Hin, hand over 200 baht and they'll give you a ticket and point to the bus. Hand your ticket to the driver and jump on.
Depending on the time of day the journey time is around 2 hours 30 mins, and almost always under 3 hours.
Regarding bags and comfort levels - if you have a large suitcase, I mean one of the real big ones, I would not recommend the mini bus, even if you do pay for an extra seat. Small to medium sizes bags and cases can be accommodated but IMHO the big ones will get knocked back. There's simply not enough room and it will impact on both you and the people sitting directly in front and/or behind the case.
Comfort is 100% dependent on the seat - the front row is very comfortable with plenty of leg room, likewise the first single seat immediately to your right as you enter the bus. The middle row is also pretty comfortable, but not as much space as the first row. If you are tall or stocky the back row however will not fit the bill. I'm 5"10 and the leg room is barely bearable for me - if the guy in front leans his seat back however (which he's entitled to do if wants), you're in for a rough ride.
Depending on how much of a rush you're in, if there's only back row seats left, it might be an idea to wait for the next bus - usually no more than 20 mins.
Overall I think the mini buses are different class and I would not consider any other means of getting to and from Bangkok. Convenience and value for money cannot be beat IMO.
ps. I've not addressed the comments about the standard of driving, simply because I've never had any problems in that respect. Maybe others can comment on that.
The cost is still 200 baht and they still drop off at the Century Cinema Mall, which is directly under the Victory Monument BTS station. You can access the station via the stairs that are literally five metres from the drop off point, or directly through the mall.
From Victory Monument you have easy access to Sukhumvit, for example, in around 20 minutes - could not be easier.
If you're heading from BKK to Hua Hin simply take the BTS to VM and exit at the Century Cinema Mall stair well - very well signposted within the station. The mini buses are located in the small soi directly to the left side of the mall and there's a raised table with three guys selling tickets. Just tell them Hua Hin, hand over 200 baht and they'll give you a ticket and point to the bus. Hand your ticket to the driver and jump on.
Depending on the time of day the journey time is around 2 hours 30 mins, and almost always under 3 hours.
Regarding bags and comfort levels - if you have a large suitcase, I mean one of the real big ones, I would not recommend the mini bus, even if you do pay for an extra seat. Small to medium sizes bags and cases can be accommodated but IMHO the big ones will get knocked back. There's simply not enough room and it will impact on both you and the people sitting directly in front and/or behind the case.
Comfort is 100% dependent on the seat - the front row is very comfortable with plenty of leg room, likewise the first single seat immediately to your right as you enter the bus. The middle row is also pretty comfortable, but not as much space as the first row. If you are tall or stocky the back row however will not fit the bill. I'm 5"10 and the leg room is barely bearable for me - if the guy in front leans his seat back however (which he's entitled to do if wants), you're in for a rough ride.
Depending on how much of a rush you're in, if there's only back row seats left, it might be an idea to wait for the next bus - usually no more than 20 mins.
Overall I think the mini buses are different class and I would not consider any other means of getting to and from Bangkok. Convenience and value for money cannot be beat IMO.
ps. I've not addressed the comments about the standard of driving, simply because I've never had any problems in that respect. Maybe others can comment on that.
Never trust a hippy....
Heebio,
Excellent details on the minibus runs. I used to take them a lot before I decided to drive myself and your info is spot on!
I probably took 50 of them in the first couple of years I lived here and there were a few that scared the hell out of me by driving very fast but only a few. I decided to just have faith after a while and plugged in the headphones and closed my eyes and just listened to tunes all the way.
Excellent details on the minibus runs. I used to take them a lot before I decided to drive myself and your info is spot on!
I probably took 50 of them in the first couple of years I lived here and there were a few that scared the hell out of me by driving very fast but only a few. I decided to just have faith after a while and plugged in the headphones and closed my eyes and just listened to tunes all the way.
Whenever I've taken any minibus regardless of where in Thailand, I always do a quick walk around and look at the tires. There's been at least half a dozen times I opted out on the basis of what I found. To my knowledge none of those had a blowout/accident, but to me it's a wise practice just to be safe. Pete 
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