How To Get From Koh Samui To Hua Hin

Hua Hin is another very popular coastal town in what you could describe as central Thailand (just south of Bangkok). It’s no wonder why Hua Hin is so popular as it boasts a beautiful beach, lively nightlife, a huge range of food choices, good hotels, shopping malls, Muay Thai gyms and stadiums, temples and everything else you could want from a city in the land of smiles.

So if you’ve done everything you set out to do on Samui and want to go explore Hua Hin then this guide will explain the best ways of how to get from Koh Samui to Hua Hin.

Where is Hua Hin?
How to get from Koh Samui to Hua Hin by land and sea
Travel from Samui to Hua Hin in luxury
Fastest way to Hua Hin From Koh Samui
Brief history of Hua Hin

Where is Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a district (amphoe) located in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula in Thailand. Its seat of government, which is also named Hua Hin, is the renowned beach resort town (which this article is about) and is considered to be in the center of the “Thai Riviera,” an area along the coastline that stretches from Phetchaburi in the north to Chumphon in the south.

How To Get To Hua Hin From Koh Samui

There are multiple ways in which you can get from Koh Samui to Hua Hin, which one you decide to choose will be down to your own preferances as well as factoring in your time frame and budget.

By ferry and Land

By sea and land are the cheapest ways to get from Koh Samui to Hua Hin but also take the most time.

Option 1. Go to Maenam to catch the ferry (pralarn pier) and get the ferry to Chumphon which is a city around 260 km south of Hua Hin. You then get a bus to Hua hin from Chumphon (you can book the full tour online to save yourself from worrying about the timing and so on). This whole journey will take around 10 hours.

Option 2. Get the ferry from Nathon pier in Koh Samui to Don Sak port on the mainland, where you will then get the bus to Surat Thani train station to catch the train up to Hua Hin. The train journey from Surat Thani to Hua Hin is approximately 6hrs 40min, the whole journey takes around 10hrs.

Option 3. Follow the same process as option 2 but instead of getting a bus to Surat Thani train station, you can just get a mini bus or private taxi (more expensive) straight to Hua Hin from the ferry station at Don Sak. It is advised to prebook your bus journey from Don Sak to ensure you get a ride.

Option 4. Hire a car from Koh Samui and drive the car to Hua Hin yourself. This is a more expensive option but gives you the freedom of stopping off and exploring along the route.

Travel From Koh Samui To Hua Hin In Luxury

The most luxurious way to get to Hua Hin from Samui (unless you own a private jet or a yacht of course) by land is by booking a private SUV which takes around the same amount of time as getting a taxi but the SUV’s are simply more comfertable and luxurious. The full journey can be booked online and costs around ฿ 9,000 all included.

The Fastest Option – By Air and Bus or Taxi

The fastest option for how to get from Koh Samui to Hua Hin is to fly directly to Bangkok from Samui international airport then to get a bus (cheapest) or taxi (more expensive) to Hua Hin which is around 220km and a 3hr drive. The whole journey should take around 7 hours.

In conclusion there are numerous ways in which you can transfer between Koh Samui and Hua hin, by ferry, bus, train, SUV or flying. The ferry and land routes are the cheapest and give you the chance to see more of this amazing country but catching the plane may be the best option if you’re in a hurry.

Brief History Of Hua Hin

Back in 1834, when the region was hit by a severe drought and a group of farmers from the Phetchaburi province were forced to move south in search of a new settlement. They stumbled upon a small village with bright white sand and a row of rocks along the beach, and decided to make it their new home. The village was given the name Samore Riang, meaning “rows of rocks”.

In 1921, the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach, further boosting the growth and development of the region. At around the same time, Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit built a group of palaces in Ban Laem Hin and named the beach next to it Hua Hin. King Prajadhipok, also known as Rama VII, was so enamored by Hua Hin that he built a summer palace there, which was later named Klai Kang Won, meaning “far from worries”.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX, made Hua Hin his full-time residence from 2004 to 2006, until he was forced to return to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok due to health issues. The proximity of medical facilities and physicians was the primary concern for the king’s move back to Bangkok.

In 1932, Hua Hin became a minor district within the Pran Buri district and was officially established as a separate district of Prachuap Khiri Khan in 1949. The building of Thailand’s southern railway connecting Hua Hin to Bangkok and various other destinations along the route was a major turning point for the region. This railway connection made Hua Hin the first and most popular beach resort in the country, attracting an increasing number of Thai and foreign visitors. Over the five-year period from 2014 to 2019, the number of visitors to Hua Hin rose by 6% annually, further solidifying its status as a popular tourist destination.