sma818

Im booked to stay at the Marriott in Hua Hin the first week of April. Before booking, my travel agent told me it was only 2 hrs away from BKK, but based on all the postings ive seen, seems like its a 3 hr ride away! The trip is supposed to be 4 days, but we dont get into BKK until 3pm, and our departure flight leaves at 2pm...so based on travel time, we'll only have 2 full days.

Can anyone advise on the options (and prices!) on transfers between BKK and the hotel. Is is better to have the hotel arrange for it? Which is the best way?!

Also, any advise on some good spas would be greatly appreciated!! Ive heard Mandara Spa is good, but expensive.

Any other relevant info would be so greatly appreciated!!

gard

Hi

My wife and I went to Thailand (including Hua Hin) in the end of September 2002. When going from Bangkok to Hua Hin we took a bus from the southern bus terminal and it was very cheap (about 125 baht per person) and it took about 3 1/2 hours. When we went back to Bangkok we took the train which was more expensive (about 800 baht pr. person for first class) and it didn't go any faster compared to taking the bus.

I have posted trip reports, pictures,links etc on my personal homepage www.gardkarlsen.com Maybe you can find some useful info there. Have a great trip to Thailand...I'm sure you will love it

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

JamesA

You 'can' take a taxi from Bangkok Airport for about B 1,500 but they are small, go for the Limo service which is a large sedan for about B 2,500. Just go to the Limo counter after Customs and tell them Marriott Hua Hin, you will be glad of paying the little extra for the comfort, will take 2 hrs 35 to 3 hrs.
Return from Hua Hin juts go the night before to the Taxis that park at Satukarn Square ( centre of Hua Hin opposite Temple ), they charge B 1,600 for a sedan/station wagon or about B 2,500 for a large RV. Spa at Marriott is ok but most hotel places are pricey. Nirvana had a place there but it closed and went to Phuket.

JamesA

Before you ask the flights to Hua Hin ceased end October last year. The train based on your time scehdule not worth thinking about, and as you are staying at the Marriott pressume you don't want the local bus. You 'could' try the Hua Hin Forum section on kooloo.com, click on their Kooloo Travel Forum as they have a very specific Hua Hin section answered by locals.

sma818

Thanks James!
Are these prices per person, or per car/limo?

Any limo company you recommend in particular? Ive been seeing a lot of ppl mention good things about "Ken Diamond"...?

Cicerone

I agree it is just under 3 hours by car. You might contact the hotel to see if they can arrange transport and ask about the price so you have a basis of comparison for the limo services at the airport.

Why don't you just stay in Bangkok for the 2 days? The beaches in Hua Hin are fine, but really nothing unusual IMO, i.e., no spectacular tuqouise-colored water like you would find in other areas of Thailand.. The beaches are wide and flat. To be honest, it reminds me a lot of Miami Beach as there are highrise hotels and apartments strung along many parts. I would just spend 2 days in Bangkok relaxing by a pool (the Marriott Riverside has a great one) and sightseeing.

If you do go to Hua Hin, the website for Mandara Spa is www.mandaraspa.com. You should probably make a treatment booking before you arrive if possible. There is a Mandara Spa in the Marriott Riverside as well. I don't think the treatments are particularly expensive, and the staff (at least at the ones I have been to) are very well trained, so you do get what you pay for.

JamesA

Those prices are per vehicle. There is only 1 Limo service at the airport, turn left and you will see a large counter, very easy, operates 24/7, usually Volvos/Mercedes or Large Toyota sedans, good reliable driver. Very organised.

rhkkmk

in 2002 we paid $65 for the transfer from the jw marriott in bkk to the hua hin marriott by the airport limo/taxi service...it took 2 hrs and 40 minutes....we took a sharred van back to the bkk marriott in a much longer time....several stops but it cost less than 1/2 the price....given your time restrictions i would go for the limo...i have had recent communications with them....their e-mail address is:
[email protected] hotel will have several different options for your return trip or you may be able to save $$ by booking a r.t.

sma818

thanks everyone for the advice! just wondering if anyone has taken the bus to hua hin?? i know its much cheaper than taking the limo, and takes the same amt of time? any info is greatly appreciated!!

rhkkmk

i think that you will find that the bus takes quite a bit longer...it has several stops i believe...it passed it twice and it looked comfortable....it goes frequently...it is cheap...do you have to go to a bus station to get it in bkk?? you do in hua hin i know....

sma818

the bus station in BKK is called Southern Bus Terminal; im just not sure how close/far that is from the airport!
sounds like limo is the most efficient way of getting to hua hin then!

sma818

the bus station in BKK is called Southern Bus Terminal; im just not sure how close/far that is from the airport!
sounds like limo is the most efficient way of getting to hua hin then!

are advance reservations neccessary for the transfer via limo or taxi?

JamesA

Unless you are on a very tight budget I would not recommend the bus, you need to taxi from airport, lug your bagge, get a ticket, 3-3.5 hrs on the bus, and then tuk-tuk from there, it would be a false economy. Limo service is more than taxi but you sure will appreciate it after a long flight to sit back in cool a/c and a comfortable ride. No booking necessary they are open 24/7.

sma818

thanks for all the very useful advice! jamesA you're a wealth of info!!

cant wait to go!