Last week, I sank into my spacious seat on the RRC bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin, pulled out my laptop and realized something: in all my research about taking the Hua Hin to Bangkok bus, I’d never found a guide that actually told me what I needed to know. Sure, there were schedules and prices online, but what about the real details? Like which bus station to actually go to (there are three) or whether that cheap minivan service is worth the savings (spoiler: it’s not).
After many trips between Hua Hin and Bangkok this year, I’ve tested just about every bus service, made all the rookie mistakes and finally figured out the system. This guide isn’t just another list of timetables – it’s everything I wish someone had told me before my first trip.
- Quick Decision Guide
- Hua Hin Airport Bus: Best for Airport Transfers
- Getting to Bangkok City: Sombat Tour
- Ekkami to Hua Hin – cheapest bus trip to Hua Hin
- Key Bus Station in Hua Hin
- Sombat Tour Hua Hin Bus Station
- Market Village Bus Station
- BluPort Bus Station
- Hua Hin Lomprayah Office
- Beyond Bangkok: Other Destinations you can reach by bus from Hua Hin
- Alternatives: When Buses don’s fit your needs
- Bon Voyage – Safe travels
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Here’s your detailed guide to navigating Hua Hin’s long distance bus system like a local, whether you’re heading to Bangkok’s airports, planning a side trip to Kanchanaburi, or island-hopping south to Koh Samui. It’s long so you might want to grab a drink, as a librarian in a previous life I love knowing all the facts. If you are not like me, this next quick guide and the rookie tips might be all you need!
Quick Decision Guide
Which Bus Service Should You Choose for travelling between Bangkok and Hua Hin?
Just want the facts, here you go, these are the main bus services between Hua Hin and Bangkok ranked by comfort and reliability:
| Service | Route | Duration | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRC Bus (Roong Reuang Coach) | Hua Hin → Suvarnabhumi Airport | 3-5 hours | High, spacious leather reclining seats |
| Sombat Tour VIP Service | Hua Hin → Mo Chit BTS/MRT | 3-5 hours | Good leather reclining seats |
| Nore Neane Transport Mini bus Service | Hua Hin → Ekkamai Bus Station | 3.5-5 hours | Basic compact seating usually a 21-seater vehicle. |
| JPK Transport – Mini Van service | Hua Hin to Mo Chit bus station | 3.5-5 hours | Usually a 12 seater van with little luggage space |
If you are travelling to Don Meung Airport, RRC provides a shuttle bus service from Suvarnabhumi
So which bus should you get? Here are my recommendations:
Best for Airport Transfers: RRC Bus If you’re heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport, this is your best bet. The buses are new, the seats are spacious, and the service is reliable. Plus, it drops you directly at Terminal 4 – no taxi needed.
Best for City Centre Access: Sombat Tour: Heading to central Bangkok? Sombat Tour’s service to Mo Chit gives you direct access to the BTS system. The leather seats recline and it’s perfectly comfortable for the 4-hour journey.
Skip if You Can: The Minivan Service: Yes, it’s cheaper. Yes, it might seem faster. But after being crammed into one of these vans, I can tell you the savings in both time and money are not worth the stress.
Common Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
I made two of these mistakes, can you guess which ones?
- Booking Last Minute: Don’t assume you can grab a bus ticket on the spot. On a recent trip home from Singapore, I almost ended up waiting hours at Bangkok airport. Thankfully, a local mentioned that the afternoon buses, especially the 2:30pm airport bus, fill up quickly, and there’s no service between 12pm and 2:30pm. Tip: Reserve your seat a few days in advance.
- Underestimating Traffic: Expecting a smooth ride during peak hours or holidays can lead to missed connections. Tip: Always factor in extra travel time, especially if you’re catching a flight.
- Improper Seat Selection: Thinking any seat will do can result in an uncomfortable ride, especially in crowded minibuses. Tip: If available, choose your seat wisely—a single seat provides extra comfort.
- Lack of Snacks or Water: Assuming there will be stops or food on board can leave you hungry and thirsty. Tip: Bring your own snacks and drinks, bus delays are common.
- Ignoring Local Calendars: Failing to check for local holidays can lead to crowded buses and 5 plus hour travel times. Tip: avoid travelling to Hua Hin on the day before or during a long weekend if at all possible.
Armed with tips to avoid the typical rookie mistakes (if you’re wondering I made 1 & 5), let’s explore the specifics of the best bus services to Bangkok., starting with the Roong Reuang Coach Co (RRC Bus), here’s why it stands out as a preferred choice for travelers making their way to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Hua Hin Airport Bus: Best for Airport Transfers
Price: 325 THB I Duration: 3-5 hrs
Last week, I took the 2:30pm the Roong Reuang Coach Co (RRC bus), also known as the VIP Airport Bus, from Suvarnabhumi to Hua Hin.
Here’s exactly how it works: After landing at 12:15pm, I headed straight to the RRC counter with my online booking confirmation. The staff exchanged my email for a paper ticket and told me to return 15 minutes before departure. The whole process was seamless.
Essential Timing and Booking Information
Finding the RRC counter at Suvarnabhumi is straightforward. Head to Level 1 near Gate 8. But timing your journey right is crucial. You’ll need to book a bus departure at least 2 hours after your flight’s scheduled arrival. For my recent trip, I landed at 12:15pm and booked the 2:30pm bus, which gave me plenty of time to clear immigration and find the counter without rushing.
Don’t worry about filling time between your flight and bus departure. Right by the counter, there is a great food centre, Miracle Food Court, its inexpensive meals will make you forget you are in an airport!
If you want a quiet spot to work, make your way to the lower ground floor where there are two coffee shops with free wifi. There is also a 7 Eleven on the lower ground floor.
Booking options: You can book online directly on their website. Book a few days in advance if you can, especially if you want a solo seat.
What Happens If Things Go Wrong?
Missing your bus means a forfeited ticket – there’s no automatic transfer to the next service. However, you are asked for your flight detail and if you followed their suggestion of booking 2 hours after landing and your flight is delayed, you are covered.
Head straight to the RRC counter, and the staff will try to get you on the next available bus. Just remember this only works if there’s at least 2 hours before the last departure of the day.
Journey Duration and Traffic Reality
The normal journey takes 3.5 to 4 hours, but Bangkok’s traffic sometimes has its own ideas. During weekends and Thai holidays, the same trip can extend to 5-6 hours. I’ve learned this lesson from personal experience travelling into town on King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday. On today’s trip mid-week in the early afternoon our bus took 3 hours and 10 minutes. The bus was full.
If you’re travelling to Bangkok to catch a flight from Suvarnabhumi, always choose an earlier bus than you think you need. RRC isn’t responsible for missed flights, so it’s better to have extra time at the airport than to be anxiously watching the clock in standstill traffic. Locals usually book a flight in the late afternoon to be safe.
Pro Tip: Before booking, check the Thai calendar. Long weekends and holidays can significantly impact your journey time, and it’s worth planning around these if you can.
Luggage and Boarding
When it’s time to depart, a staff member will collect you from the counter and escort you to the bus. This avoids the confusion of determining which one is yours!
Your ticket includes one 20 kg checked bag and one small carry on bag (although no one weighs it on our journey).
You need to store your large bags underneath and you may want to leave any large backpacks here too, as the overhead storage compartments are quite narrow. If you’re keeping a bag with you, be prepared to use some of your legroom, or better yet pack a smaller day bag for essentials.
If you have more luggage than this, show them at the counter and they will charge a little extra. I took my large laptop backpack on board and no one said anything, but it really reduced my leg room and made reclining my seat difficult, so it’s not ideal.
Onboard Comfort
The bus itself is modern and well-maintained, with good air-conditioning. If you feel the cold, you may want a jacket. It features a spacious seating layout. While it’s a full size vehicle, there are only 24 seats, meaning more room than your typical coach.
Instead of the standard 2-2 configuration, you’ll find single seats on one side and doubles on the other, with a small gap between the paired seats for extra comfort.
A staff member handed out bottles of water shortly after we boarded, and then we set off on time. There were no stops along the way either which is a common complaint about some of the other buses. People often mention drivers picking up deliveries along the route with some other companies.
The bus has lap style seatbelts that should be worn for the journey. I am pleased to say our driver was competent and I felt safe the entire way, something I can’t say for my last minibus adventure.
There is a toilet at the rear but I have never used it. I did see make their way down to use it so it was definitely operational.
Seating Strategy
I recommend that solo travellers grab a single seat in the middle section. You’ll get privacy, easy aisle access and you’ll be far enough from the toilet at the back. Don’t worry if you miss these, the double seats, while side by side, have separate arm rests with a small gap between them.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a booking, you may need to wait several hours after landing in Bangkok for a seat to Hua Hin.
Arrival in Hua Hin
The bus terminal is on the edge of the city. RRC offers a shuttle service to your hotel for 100 Bah. Once you get off the bus, the attendant will ask you if you want to use the service. There is no need to make a reservation in advance.
Alternatively, you can walk 500m to the start of the Songtaew Route (green bus) where 15 baht will get you to the centre of town.
A further 15 baht will get you all the way to Khao Takiab. I decided on a grab which cost me about 105 baht to my condo just near Bangkok Hospital.
Hua Hin Airport Schedule as at 1 November 2024
Departure from Hua Hin at: 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:10 and 18:00.
Departure from Suvarnabhumi at: 7:30, 09:30, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:30.
Confirm these times on their website.
Pro Tip: Bring your own food when departing Hua Hin, as there is nothing near the terminal and the bus does not stop on route. It’s fine on a three hour trip, but if it blows out to 5 hours it’s a challenge for some of us!
Getting to Bangkok City: Sombat Tour
Price: 291 THB I Duration: 4-5 hrs
If you’re heading into central Bangkok rather than the airport, Sombat Tour offers a reliable and comfortable service to Mo Chit (Chatuchak). This provides easy access to both the Bangkok MRT and BTS systems.
I really couldn’t see a difference between these buses and the RRC vehicles. They also have leather reclining seats, an onboard bathroom, air-conditioning etc. Our trip using this service was seamless with a good driver and clean bus but the reviews from other riders are mixed and the buses have a reputation for running late.
Essential Timing and Booking Information
Booking your Sombat Tour bus is easy enough and, if you have time, it is best done in person. You will need to bring your passport or ID and cash for your ticket.
I’ve found it’s better (and often cheaper) to buy tickets directly at the station, although you can book online. If you have an online ticket arrive early to exchange it at the ticket office.
During peak times and holidays, it is wise to book a day or two in advance as seats can sell out fast.
Journey Duration and Traffic Reality
The journey time is about 4 hours. It’s often slightly longer than the airport bus as they are arriving into a busy part of the city, but it’s comparable when you consider the trip from the airport into the city centre.
Luggage and boarding
The luggage and boarding process is smooth. Store as much as you can underneath for a more comfortable ride. In our experience, they are not particularly strict about it.
Onboard Comfort
Air-conditioning is usually set at about 20-22 degrees, so if you are not used to that temperature, bring a jacket. Shortly after boarding, you are given a bottle of water. Otherwise the experience is pretty much the same as the RCC Airport bus service. Check the website for what is offered on this service.
Arrival in Hua Hin or Bangkok
When you arrive in Hua Hin, you are on the songtaew route, so you can easily transfer to that, just walk out onto the footpath and hail the next one that passes. Alternatively a rideshare should appear in minutes of booking.
There are currently two stops in Bangkok, the Southern Bus Terminal and Mo Chit BTS Station.
Schedule as at 1 November 2024
There are two buses a day: a morning service at 9:30am and an afternoon one at 1:30pm.The bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin departs at 8:50am and 2:50pm.
Where to catch the Sombat tours bus
The terminal is located halfway between Market Village and BluPort shopping malls on the main road.
Pro tip: If you want to eat before you head out, Thi Baan Bistro next to the bus station offers delicious, inexpensive meals. The nearest espresso is from My Honeypie a 300m north. They are open 6 days (closed Sunday). They also sell home made biscuits and other yummy things, including vegan and gluten free options.
Ekkami to Hua Hin – cheapest bus trip to Hua Hin
Price: 291 THB I Duration: 4-5 hrs
If you are heading to Sukhumvit Road and don’t have much or any luggage, then the service from Hua Hin to Ekkamai might be a valid choice.
These are operated by Nore Neane Transport and can be vans or mini buses that seat 18 -21 passengers.
I have not taken one but feedback from locals is that they are not very comfortable and the driving is sometimes not the best. There are lots of reviews mentioning the drivers using their phones while driving.
There are also reviews mentioning that these buses make lots of stop along the way often meaning this journey stretches to 4.5 hours. Others say they are fine so it seems like a but of luck which way things will go.
The only real benefit I can see in taking this bus is if you are staying near Ekkamai and are only using a backpack. To be honest I would still take the Sombat bus and jump on the BTS up to Sukhumvit Road.
Schedule as at 1 November 2024
Departure from Hua Hin is at: 04:00, 05:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00
Departure from Ekkamai Bangkok: 05:00, 07:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00
Where to Catch It
BluPort Shopping Centre – see below for details.
Key Bus Station in Hua Hin
There are four main bus stations in Hua Hin. We have listed these below and included some tips for each. Mini buses/vans do depart from other areas, like Soi 51 and the HTP office on Song Sa Road but we have no experience using these. Apparently one of them goes directly to Khao San Road.
RRC BUS STATION HUA HIN (Roong Reuang Coach)
The RRC bus station, located 10km north of town, is very clearly signposted and cannot be missed. It is 500m outside the songtaew route, so most people, especially those with luggage, catch a Grab or Bolt rideshare.
The bus station is an open air facility. The waiting room is modern and clean with a roof to keep out the weather and several fans.
There are clean bathrooms and a small snack bar for drinks and packaged snacks. There were plenty of helpful staff around to answer questions and overall it’s a decent spot to wait.
There is also a stop in Cha-am at the Government Savings Bank. Buses stop here 30 minutes after leaving Hua Hin.
Drop-off location: The bus will go directly to Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Departure Terminal Level 4.
Sombat Tour Hua Hin Bus Station
The Sombat Tour terminal is conveniently located halfway between Market Village and BluPort shopping malls on the main road, making it easy to access for travelers in the area. The terminal features an air-conditioned waiting room, providing a comfortable space to relax before your departure.
Nearby Amenities: For coffee lovers, My Honeypie is a 300m walk north, providing great espresso along with homemade biscuits and treats, including vegan and gluten-free options. Note that it’s closed on Sundays.
Before departure, grab a bite at Baan Bistro next door, which offers delicious and affordable meals.
Market Village Bus Station
This relatively new bus station, which opened in March 2024, is in the car park of Market Village shopping centre. The buses that depart from here are mini vans, usually 12-14 seaters and are operated by JPK Transport.
They will take you to a number of locations including:
- Mo Chit or Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok
- Kanchanaburi
- Rangsit
- Nakhon Pathom
Vans depart about every 30-60 minutes, starting as early as 3:30am and the last bus to Bangkok at 6:30 pm.
Along with a booking office, there is a coffee shop and clean bathrooms. With the mall entry adjacent you will have plenty of places to buy snacks.
BluPort Bus Station
BluPort Bus Station is not so much a “station” as a counter outside the southern exit of BluPort Shopping Mall.
Pro Tip: The centre officially opens at 10am but the doors are usually open earlier If you find yourself at BluPort with time to spare before you bus departs, make your way to the lower ground floor where six massage chairs await.
These chairs are a perfect haven if you have time to spare before your bus departs. Slide your arms into the slots, and you’ll experience a sensation somewhere between a comforting bear hug and the snug fit of a straitjacket—your call! The massage is surprisingly satisfying, and the chairs are in great condition. For just 20 baht, you can enjoy a rejuvenating 10-minute session, or opt for one of the longer sessions with 20 or 50 minutes also available.
The food court here has all your favourite fast food chains as well as a Gourmet Market for salads and sushi.
Buses depart from the side entry just by Fuji Restaurant
Hua Hin Lomprayah Office
If you are planning a trip to the gulf islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, you might want to consider booking the Lomprayah transfer service that includes the bus from Hua Hin and the ferry to whichever island you are heading to.
The office is on the main road in the centre of town, between Soi 64 and 65. Your ticket includes a bus ride to Chumpon Pier and the ferry ticket.
Pro tip: Blum Coffee is a 250m walk south and does fantastic espresso. You can stock up on snacks at 7 Eleven or Villa Market both across the road.
Beyond Bangkok: Other Destinations you can reach by bus from Hua Hin
- Pattaya – From RRC Terminal
- Kanchanaburi – from Market Village
- Chumpon – From Lomprayah Office
- Pretchamburi – from Market Village
- Pranburi & Cha Aam – BluPort
Alternatives: When Buses don’s fit your needs
Sometimes the bus schedule won’t work if you have a very early or very late departure. We have taken a 5am train for a 1pm flight rather than risk the bus. It’s an easy process to transfer to the airport train on arrival in Bangkok.
When you have a lot of luggage, the most popular option is to book a private driver. There are many drivers offering this trip.
We have used four different companies, and they have charged similar amounts and all have been clean and comfortable, so I am not going to recommend a particular one.
Expect to pay 1800 for a sedan or older car and 2000-2500 for a new car or SUV. If there are more than 2 of you, get an SUV so you have room for your luggage without needing to put it on your lap.
Bon Voyage – Safe travels
Navigating the routes between Hua Hin and Bangkok can be a breeze with a little preparation. I hope with this guide, you’re equipped to choose the best bus service for your needs, avoid common mishaps, and make the most of your journey.
As you plan your travels, keep in mind that things change and while this article is accurate as at November 2024 and will be regularly updated unexpected changes may surprise you. Feel free to share your own experiences and tips in our Facebook Grouo. Your insights could make future journeys even better for fellow travellers.
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