10 Places You Can Visit During Your Road Trip to Hua Hin from Bangkok

Need some Thailand travel inspo? Don’t just spend your whole trip in Bangkok—there’s so much more to explore in the Land of Smiles than places just in its capital city. If you’ve got a day to spare on your holiday, better hit the roads and go on a road trip to see the rest of the marvelous country.

One of the shortest Thailand road trips you can go on is from Bangkok to Hua Hin. The direct drive usually takes two hours, but where’s the fun in that? With all the great stops along the way, you can stretch this Bangkok to Hua Hin road trip into a whole day adventure. 

If you’re looking for a quick beach escape from the city, it’s a great alternative to Pattaya! The once-sleepy beach town has become a fave for its pristine coastlines and lush national parks. If you love nature, better plan your Bangkok to Hua Hin trip from October to February when the weather is cool and dry!

First things first: your chariot. 

Tick it off your checklist by booking top car rental brands on awesome deals with Klook! You can arrange the car's pick-up and drop-off virtually anywhere in Thailand. Plus, you can conveniently cancel your booking as long as it's made before pick-up!

Pumped to start your Bangkok to Hua Hin trip? Load up your road trip playlist — here are 10 stops you should make when you drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin by car!

But first, here are things you can do in Bangkok before you begin your trip!

Start your Bangkok to Hua Hin road trip at Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple complex on Rattanakosin Island. Known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho (also spelled as Wat Po) is one of the oldest temple complexes in the country. It is a well-known center for wellness and traditional massage. Pop in for a soothing body massage before you proceed with your journey.

As you drive south to Hua Hin, make a pitstop by the coastal province of Samut Sakhon and its temples, including Wat Luk Si Raja Samosorn (main City Temple), Wat Chong Lom in Tha Chin River, and the Wat Pa Chai Rangsi. You can also learn about the place's significance during the Ayutthaya era at the Pan Thai Norasing Historical Park. If you need help with directions, ask where Maha Chai is — this is what locals call Samut Sakhon!

Stop by Samut Songkhram to see the iconic Chang-Eng Siamese Twins Memorial. This tribute statue in the middle of a flower garden is dedicated to the famous conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, born in the city. Samut Songkhram is also home to a Boat Museum that showcases life on the Mae Klong River and to Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram, which is said to be King Rama II's birthplace.

Drive through vast fields and wilderness until you reach Khao Yoi Cave, another possible pitstop on your Bangkok to Hua Hin drive. If you need a break from being behind the wheel, this cave provides a great nature escape for nature lovers. It is a Buddhist site holding a variety of religious relics. It is also said to be where King Rama IV meditated when he was ordained as a monk.

Another resting place midway between Bangkok and Hua Hin is Thanon Khao San. This urban area is famous as the backpacker's haven — with a wide range of lodging and cheap yet decent dining options. Looking for authentic Pad Thai or missing hamburgers and pizza? Thanon Khao San is lined up with street food — you’ll find one vendor every 50 meters! It's also a great spot if you're looking for fellow travelers since there's a prominent foreign crowd in the area.

Can't wait to hit the beach? Sink your feet into the sand at Chaosamran Beach! During King Rama VI's reign, Chaosamran was considered the most remarkable beach in Thailand before Pattaya, Patong, and Krabi became popular beach destinations. Before heading here, you might consider buying snacks at Phetchaburi Market.

As you drive through the scenic province of Phetchaburi, you'll be embraced by endless views of verdant nature. Drop by Uncle Thanom Palm Orchard to find yourself amidst rows of towering palm trees. It's the only palm plantation that tourists can visit. You'll learn how the palms of Thailand are grown and transformed into palm sugar.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park is also in Phetchaburi, and it's the perfect spot if you're fishing for Insta-worthy pics. This magnificent park is home to cobblestone streets, temples, landscaped spaces, and the Phra That Chom Phet Chedi, a bone-white palace with a spire that stretches into the sky. Make sure to bring your camera and flash your best poses!

Can’t get enough of Thailand's natural beauty? Visit Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park or Khao Chao Lai Yai before driving straight to Hua Hin! Here, you’ll get a view of the iconic limestone hills that look divine during sunset. You can also stretch your legs by taking on a quick walking trail through the park and discovering a variety of species that live in the area.

Beat the heat at your last stop — the Vana Nava Waterpark. This jungle-themed waterpark is packed with pools, slides, and a whole lot of fun! Some thrilling slides that you can't miss during your visit are the Master Blaster, Abyss, and Superbowl. But, if you're not down for the thrill, they also have the 350-meter-long Lazy River that should take you on a relaxing float around some parts of the attraction. Once you're done with all the pools and slides, feel free to take on some dry activities as well like the Ropes Course and Climbing Wall!

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