Roundtrip between Bangkok and Huahin

[eldenng]

Hi Guys,

I would like you guys to do me a favour on the suggestion of transportation travelling between HH and BKK. My friend suggested that the cheapest way is to take mini van in Victory Monement. However, after browsing this forum, it seems that mini van is the most dangerous transportation in Thailand, which scares me. Therefore, do you have any suggestions except taking train to Huahin from BKK? Thanks

[Big Boy]

Have a read here http://www.tourismhuahin.com/travel-huahin.php

[eldenng]

Thanks Big Boy, follow up questions, is there a company running minivan from BKK to HH legally? As far as I know, there are lots of companies running minivan-business. However, most of them are illegally running. Am I correct? Thanks.

[Big Boy]

I'm sorry, but I know nothing about the legality of the service.

[eldenng]

Ok Thanks Big Boy.
Do you have any experience on minivan between HH and BKK? what is your feeling?

[Big Boy]

I avoid them. Firstly, mini buses are to cramped for me, but more importantly, like you, I've read the horror stories.

[caller]

Own up time - did the mini van once - I survived. They weren't getting a 2nd chance.

[eldenng]

Oh I see. So, what kind of transportation would you guys take when travelling between HH and BKK? Thanks.

[caller]

Taxi, drive or a bus from Korat - but thats a different story!

[Big Boy]

Oh I see. So, what kind of transportation would you guys take when travelling between HH and BKK? Thanks.

I always use the train. Cheap, and quite comfortable in 2nd class. Punctuality is not their motto though.

[STEVE G]

There are, I think, now at least four companies running minivans between Hua Hin and Bangkok and I've tried a few of them and they can be a bit dicey. Some of the drivers are OK but others drive like lunatics and obviously it's a complete lottery as to which you get.
There is also a normal bus that goes from Hua Hin to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok which I used to use quite frequently without any problems, it used to cost 156 bt but I imagine it's gone up since then. This is a blue and white bus, don't get the orange ones which stop everywhere and take hours.
There are also Bangkok Hotels who run their own minivan services to Hua Hin which are more expensive but cheaper than a taxi which will cost you 2,500 bt off the street in Bangkok, or around 2,000 bt or less for a private hire.

[Dannie Boy]

Oh I see. So, what kind of transportation would you guys take when travelling between HH and BKK? Thanks.

A taxi can be a good option providing you have a recommended driver, otherwise you might not be a lot safer than using a minivan. Cost is on average 2000 baht +/- a few hundred. A good driver i.e. not too fast, will do the journey in about 3 hours outside the rush hour and if there are more than one of you travelling, the fare works out a lot less per person.

[brianks]

Lots of interesting opinions about mini vans. I have only used Minivans when not driving my car to BKK. Have noticed in last several months that they have slowed down considerably and certainly driving more responsibly. I am not "large" so seats work for me. Quickest way to get to BKK other than private Taxi. Second inexpensive method would have to be blue/white bus from center of town.

[STEVE G]

Lots of interesting opinions about mini vans.

Generally they're not that bad but the problem is that once in a while you'll get a driver who is absolutely suicidal. I had one that almost managed to get the van airborne hitting some road construction in Petchaburi, I thanked him for his efforts but told him that I would wait until I got to the airport before going flying.
Another driver I had almost impaled the van on a dragon boat. I'm not Thai but I do know that dragon boats are very long and that if you're approaching one being towed behind a truck, it's perhaps wise to slow down a bit earlier than normal.

[lagojardin]

I've used the mini buses dozens of times and never had a problem - I'm here to tell the story !!
180 baht to the centre of BK... Nothing cheaper or quicker than that.
One piece of advice I would put forward - Avoid the back seats, bloody uncomfortable.