Another Newbee

[mako]

Hi All
I've just joined the forum to find out more about Hua Hin as I'm visiting for a holiday just before Christmas.
Two things I'm not sure on is if we arrive at Bkk at 7:00am or 11:00pm, which is the best way to get to Hua Hin, am I likely to find a minibus or similar?
And- does anyone do scuba diving trips with tuition in town, as my daughter wants to try it.
Thanks Barry

[Randy Cornhole]

Hi Barry and welcome to the forum, The best way to get from Bangkok to HH is using one of the registered taxis just outside the airport. They are metered and so will give you a fair price. Don't be conned by the limo drivers that will descend upon you as you exit arrivals as you will pay a lot more. I think the fare is around 2500 baht but with the recent fuel hikes it might have gone up a bit.
As for the scuba diving, I'm afraid there isn't really any in Hua Hin. You will have to go further south to do that.

[mako]

Thanks for that, I was guessing there would be some sort of transport from Bkk.

[Guess]

There is government bus, minibus, rail and air links from BKK to Hua Hin.

Taxis are not obliged to take you outside Bangkok unless the laws are different for the airport.

All of the alternatives have their own pros and cons. The air link is expensive but quick.

http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/2927.asp

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/travelnew ... ttle.shtml

You'll get discounts if you purchase your ticket with the intercontinental tickets.

All the other options apart from taxis are going to work out at about 500 Baht PP.

A direct bus link from the airport has been on the cards for years now but I don't know if they ever got it going.

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/141

The rail link has not opened yet but a taxi to the main rail station (Hualumpong) will be about 200 Baht.

All southbound trains stop at Hua Hin.

There are twelve south bound departures from BKK between 08:00 and 22:00

http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp

Avoid 3rd class.

If you do arrive at 11:00 PM I would recommend that you stay in a hotel for the night. You should be able to book at the airport. A family room should be no more than 1,500 Baht. Taxi will be no more than 200 Baht.

[baron_wastelanduk]

if you stay overnight in bkk you can then get to victory monument and take a minibus down to hua hin - quite an exciting experience and reasonably cheap too

another alternative is to go to the south bus terminal and take coach from there

cdk

the baron

[JW]

Hi Barry,

The nearest diving is about 2 hours drive south of Hua Hin - called Bangsapan. Not sure if there are padi courses there - when Buksi sees the thread he will let you know.

Enjoy your time - Hua Hin is a great place - and definitely take a day trip to Bangsapan.

Cheers,

JW

[JW]

Just found out that you can do a padi course in Hua Hin - its pool based in Khao Takieb. Learn something new everyday!

[buksida]

There is a Thai instructor that does OW courses in HH - I think he's affiliated with the Cabana in Chumphon. Thats probably where the OW components are completed.

In Bangsaphan at the moment, very little diving going on due to the weather - the Coral resort has a small dive shop but trips are infrequent due to lack of divers, I'm the only one here!

[BelgianBoy]

if you stay overnight in bkk you can then get to victory monument and take a minibus down to hua hin - quite an exciting experience and reasonably cheap too

Yes, 200 Bt one way, quite cheap.... and the thrills of full speed driving if you get one of those drivers

Or from HH back to BKK in the little soi in front of the Esso station.

BB

[Randy Cornhole]

Just don't sit in the crumple zone...

[STEVE G]

Bloody-hell Randy; that one looks like it crashed into a tin-opener!

[BelgianBoy]

Just don't sit in the crumple zone...

Wow....OMG ! I guess it was 'one' of those drivers then.....

BB
where can I buy a tank ?