With Hua Hin being one of the most popular tourist travel destinations in the world, people often perceive it to be an expensive city to live in and as such often wonder how much it would cost to spend a day, two, or even a week in this beachside town.
For a solo traveler, the average cost of a cheap 7-day trip to Hua Hin is 438 USD which is the equivalent of 15,000 Thai Baht, and 876 USD (31,294 Thai Baht) for a couple.
For a family of four, it will cost an average of 1,752 USD (62,570 Thai baht) per week.
A 7-day budget trip to Hua Hin will cost an average of 504 USD (18,000 Thai Baht) per person, 1,008 USD (35,993 Thai Baht) for a couple, and 2,016 USD (72,011 Thai Baht) for a family of four.
While a comfortable 7-day trip to Hua Hin will cost an average of 665 USD (23,750 Thai Baht) for a solo traveler, 1,330 USD (47,539 Thai Baht) for a couple, and 2,660 USD (95,125 Thai Baht) for a family of four.
Furthermore, a luxurious 7-day trip to Hua Hin will cost an average of 3,000 USD (107, 283 Thai Baht) for a solo traveler, 6,000 USD (214, 623 That Baht) for a couple, and 12,000 USD (429,246 Tha Baht) for a family of four. Do note that these prices do not flight costs.
Accommodation services in Hua Hin are quite affordable with hotel establishments having an average cost of $48 per night. One can also find hotel room prices ranging from 25 USD – 141 USD per night. Some of the best vacation rentals in Hua Hin cost around 110 – 510 USD for the whole home per night.
The cost of worldwide flights to Hua Hin accounts for the largest percentage of the overall cost (flight cost inclusive) of a 7-day trip. For example, economy flights to Pattaya, a neighboring city to Hua Hin have an average cost ranging from 1,904 USD to $2,829 (68,080 – 101,155 Thai Baht) per individual. The cost of first-class flights begin from 5,975 USD to 8,877 USD (213,633 – 317,392).
Below are detailed Expenses, Prices, and typical costs of visiting Hua Hin
Transportation
The cost of getting around Hua Hin entirely depends on your preferred medium of transportation. If you prefer to go with public transportation systems the cost of moving around will be remarkably lower as compared to tuk-tuks and taxis. These public transportation systems include the likes trains, songthaews, etc. Songthaews is the cheapest and can be found in almost every corner, their set routes are usually in circles and because they do not have any official spots you will have to flag one down to get on board. The majority of public transport drivers do not speak English, they nod to confirm they can get you to your destination once you say the name of where you are going.
When you arrive at your desired destination, ring the bell on the cover to signal a stop. Rides with songthaews are priced at 0.33 USD (10 Thai Baht) at sunrise and 0.50 USD (15 Thai Baht) at sundown.
Compared to Songthaews and trains, the cost of getting around in taxis is more expensive. Oftentimes, taxi drivers may not want to use the meter so as to inflate the usual price. If you must use a taxi always ensure your cost is being calculated by the meter, meter costs in taxis usually begin at 1.15 USD (35 Thai Baht), with the cost of short trips being around 1.65 USD to 2.62 USD (50-80 Thai Baht). The most expensive are tuk-tuks, with prices ranging from 3.30 USD (100 Thai Baht) and can cost more with far destinations.
Food and Drinks
There are plenty of food and drink choices in Hua Hin and as such how much you spend on them is entirely up to you. The least expensive meal in Hua Hin is a bowl of noodle soup from a roadside food vendor which costs about 1.64 USD and comes with a bottle of soda. If you are all about the fancy lifestyle you can always go for a meal of lobsters and steak with a shiny bottle of western wine at a seaside restaurant which could cost you about 230 USD (7000 Thai Baht). In Hua Hin, western dishes often cost more than the local ones, and most restaurants often price their meals from 5 USD to 13 USD (150 – 400 Thai Baht) range.
At most bars, cocktails usually cost around 5 USD to 10 USD (150 – 300 Thai Baht), while the cost for a bottle of wine can be 33 USD (1000 Thai Baht), and 2.30 USD to 3.28 USD (70 – 100 Thai Baht) for a large bottle of beer. The price of alcoholic beverages varies with different establishments, the majority of them are fond of offering two for one or happy hours deals.
Accommodation
You can find affordable accommodation throughout Hua Hin. You can find guesthouses offering two rooms for just 10 USD (300 Thai Baht) per night, rooms with these prices are usually equipped with a fan instead of an air-conditioner, and shared bathrooms, and are situated in basic locations. For 20 USD per night, you can get a more comfortable room in an even better location, serviced apartments can also go the same price. 33 USD per night can get you moderate luxury apartments and hotel rooms with modern-day facilities and amenities to keep you comfortable. Full-scale luxurious apartments can go for 100 USD (3,000 Thai baht) per night, with some establishments charging as high as 755 USD (23,000 Thai Baht).
Below is a list of the best places to get accommodation in Hua Hin.
Khao Takiab
This is a luxurious resort town solely meant for travelers seeking a relaxing and quiet travel destination, it is located just 10km south of Hua Hin. The nightlife and dining options here are relatively low, although these activities are more likely to be provided in your resort. However, you can find a soothing white sand beach, not within the reach of too many backpackers. Khao Takiab is more focused on supporting the course of people who just want to leave behind the chaos of life to appreciate nature and have a quiet time, and as such there are great comfortable accommodation options for people of different social stratification.
City Center
Here is where you can find all the action in Hua Hin, it has a proximity to all the bars, nightlife, and restaurants. If these are the sort of experiences you are after, then the city center is the place you want to stay whenever you visit Hua Hin, however, you may get to spend a little extra for amenities as compared to other locations on this list (compared to Phuket, a neighboring city, these costs are way lower). The city center is the most preferred town for a lot of travelers because it is equipped with all the necessary amenities needed for a fully functioning small town, it is also home to many attraction hot spots and provides easy accessibility to these destinations. You can either decide to move around the city center with public transportation mediums or rent a motorcycle.
Pranburi
For travelers who are seeking to interact with nature, Pranburi is the right destination for you. It is situated in the southern part of the city center in Hua Hin. It also has proximity to the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Pranburi is where you can find some of the most breathtaking scenery in Hua Hin. This is the perfect area for a romantic getaway, exploration, and adventure. Unlike the city center, there’s a scarcity of nightlife, ideal dining, and shopping experiences, however, the absence of these activities is responsible for its reserved nature.
Cha-Am
Cha-am is the town for mainly beachside experiences. Although there are many bars and restaurants it is quieter than Hua Hin and cheaper. It is convenient for a lot of backers as it is situated in the northern part of Hua Hin and has proximity to the country’s capital, Bangkok, Thailand. The beaches in Pranburi are nicer and cleaner when compared to some other towns in Hua Hin, and also have fewer tourists who come to chill here, or be a part of certain festivals.
Budget Recommendations
You will need between 98 USD to 115 USD (3000 – 3500 Thai Baht) per day if you desire to stay in moderate luxurious accommodation, dine two times a day at a fancy restaurant, get around Hua Hin in a taxi during the day and then settle for a few bottles of beer at sundown. A cheap stay in Hua Hin can cost you 33 USD per day.
What Are The Best Money Saving Tips when Visiting Hua Hin?
You will be surprised at how much you can save whenever you find yourself in Hua Hin. It will never be a crime to be a tourist on a budget, and there’s no shame in that. Having all the fun in the world while saving up has to be one of the most productive lifestyles. Below are a few money-saving tips you can always adhere to whenever you visit Hua Hin.
Carry Out Money Exchange in Thailand
Under no circumstances should you exchange your local currency for Thai Baht in your home country. In Thailand, you will get about 15% more. On arrival at the international airport in Bangkok, you will also get the opportunity of making exchanges at an even better rate compared to your home country. Do note that defaced or torn bills are likely to be rejected.
Do Not Use Expensive Taxis
Instead of tuk-tuks and expensive taxis, you could go for songtaews whenever you have the opportunity, they are fun to ride in and you can easily understand how they operate. Renting a motorcycle is a good alternative as they cost the same price as a single tuk-tuk trip, however, this is only recommended if you are really good at riding motorcycles. Always wear a helmet!
Avoid Ringing Bells at the Bar
Ringing a bell in Hua Hn when you walk into a bar for a drink in the evening indicates that you’ve decided to buy drinks for every customer present. Depending on the number of persons, this can be very expensive and can cost you somewhere around 50 USD (1,789 Thai Baht). The best decision is to stay far away from it.
Live Off Street Food
Street foods cost between 40-50 Thai Baht. There are as delicious, if not better than the meals served in fancy restaurants, and offer the same nutritional value. The best way to easily spot good street food vendors is by observing where the locals love to eat, this is a sign of good food. The majority of these street food vendors offer free drinking water.
Avoid Using the ATM
The unavoidable ATM charges on foreign cards in Hua Hin are scandalous. It cost around 7.25 USD (220 Thai Baht) for each ATM transaction, not to mention the sub-par exchange rate and extra fee that will be issued by your bank at home. Possibly, you could lose a total of 20 to 30 USD whenever you use an ATM in Hua Hin. There are a handful of ways one can avoid these extra costs, make sure to do some research before deciding to use the ATM. An alternative would be bringing enough cash and saving it in your hotel room.
Don’t Be Afraid to Bargain
There’s no harm in being a decent haggler. You can always bargain at the markets and with tuk-tuk drivers, but not in restaurants or shops. Try not to begin your bargain at a very low price that you unintentionally insult the seller, always begin your bargain at 50% or lesser.
What Can I do in Hua Hin without Spending a Fortune?
The activities in Hua Hin that are budget friendly are mostly outdoor activities which include visiting the markets, scenic spots, cultural sites, and chilling at the beach. Whether you are a solo backpacker, a couple on a romantic travel spree, or a family on a holiday, Hua Hin offers lots of budget-friendly activities to engage in, and below are some of them.
Visit the Rajabhakti Park
This is a large urban park built to preserve the history of the 7 greatest kings in the history of Thailand. There you will find the statuses of these great kings about 14 meters high into the sky, and behind them is also a scenic hill. Here you can learn a lot about the history of Hua Hin, you can also find out more about the king who is regarded as the founding father of today’s Thailand, or another king who fought for and gained independence from Burma for the country.
Access to the park is free of charge and so are the cycles you can find in this space.
Chill at the Suan Son Pradipat Beach
Also known as Sea Pine Tree Garden Beach, it offers crystal clear waters, pine forests, and white sand perfect for family bonding and romantic dates. Here you can engage in some classic beach experience that involves sunbathing, swimming, building sand castles, and other adventurous outdoor activities. As a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, you can ride on jet skis, hire a boat to explore the water, or engage in horse riding. You can also find affordable restaurants and other quick eats and drinks establishments at the beachside.
Access to this public space isn’t free but the cost is affordable.
Feel Like Royalty at Queen Sirikit Park
The queen’s park is a public beach built in honor of the famous queen Sirikit. Its surroundings are beautiful and serene and feature turquoise waters and soft white sand. This is among the perfect spots for relaxing in Hua Hin while taking the time to appreciate nature. The Queen Sirikit Park also has a romantic ambiance and allows for a variety of activities such as building a sandcastle, sunbathing, and swimming. This park is usually scanty during weekdays which presents the perfect opportunity for a visit to observe some quiet time.
You can also find close by eateries to explore, the majority of which offer a variety of dishes to choose from which including both local and international cuisines.
Conclusion
Truth is, you don’t necessarily need to have quite the fortune or win a lottery before you can have a great time in Hua Hin for at least a week. Compared to other cities in Thailand, Hua Hin is very affordable and has a lot to offer to make your 7-day trip a memorable one, the restaurants are quite affordable and the possibility of finding one that serves your favorite home meal is high. Tour guides are also affordable and the best way to effectively explore Hua Hin. You can follow the above-listed money-saving tips when visiting Hua Hin on a budg