Thailand's favourite weekend run — three hours from the capital to the royal beach town, ending at the country's prettiest railway station.
Find a room before you go.
Minivans from Bangkok are the quickest and leave constantly. But arriving by rail at Hua Hin's 1920s wooden station, with its red-and-cream royal pavilion, is one of Thailand's great small travel moments — worth the extra hour if you're not in a rush.

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Vans leave from Bangkok's Southern and Mo Chit terminals all day and drop you in central Hua Hin. Fastest door-to-door choice; buy a seat, not a squeeze, by booking online.
All southern-line trains stop at Hua Hin. Ordinary and special express services run from Krung Thep Aphiwat; the newer air-con carriages are very comfortable for this short hop.
Straightforward run down Phetkasem Road. Leave Bangkok before 7 am or after 8 pm on Fridays — the weekend exodus is real.
Step-by-step transport guides for this stretch of the Gulf coast.