Minibus Required

[python 27]

Guys,

 

I want to travel from Hua Hin to Pattaya, and back, at the end of Sep or early Oct.

 

I would like to get the boat/catamaran at least one way, or any means of going by sea should any service have started by then, but I am not very hopeful and not gonna depend on it.

 

A taxi return is a bit expensive, so.... are there many minibuse services to Patts from Hua Hin? what about departure and return times to and from Patts? Do any of you guys know or could you recommend any partcular company or driver? Finally, what could I expect to pay? I know the journey takes about four hours each way.

I need to book hotels now so I need to go firm on dates and know how I'm gonna travel .

 

Any advice is appreciated.

 

Regards,

[JohnnyK 28]

Guys,

 

I want to travel from Hua Hin to Pattaya, and back, at the end of Sep or early Oct.

 

I would like to get the boat/catamaran at least one way, or any means of going by sea should any service have started by then, but I am not very hopeful and not gonna depend on it.

 

A taxi return is a bit expensive, so.... are there many minibuse services to Patts from Hua Hin? what about departure and return times to and from Patts? Do any of you guys know or could you recommend any partcular company or driver? Finally, what could I expect to pay? I know the journey takes about four hours each way.

I need to book hotels now so I need to go firm on dates and know how I'm gonna travel .

 

Any advice is appreciated.

 

Regards,

Minibus station on SaSong Road almost right across from the big bus station has minibuses to Pats & Jomtien. Four hours is a bit optimistic, more like 5-6 depending on traffic etc.

Boat service was running but they stopped for low season. Go to huahinforum.com for more info about it.

Edited August 29, 2011 by JohnnyK

[mikee 0]

Minibus station on SaSong Road almost right across from the big bus station has minibuses to Pats & Jomtien. Four hours is a bit optimistic, more like 5-6 depending on traffic etc.

Boat service was running but they stopped for low season. Go to huahinforum.com for more info about it.

[mikee 0]

thanks, was looking for same info.

[python 27]

Johnny,

 

Thanks for your help.

I will get prices & times when there.

I just wanted to be sure there was a regular service.

 

Regards,

[python 27]

Just to inform any that be considering travelling to or from Pattaya to Hua Hin.

 

The minibus leaves Hua Hin every 2 hours from 0800 to 1800, and from Pattaya. I assume every day. No pre booking required and costs 400Tbt each way. Though I bought my return ticket at the same time as I planned to ask the driver to pick me up at the hotel on Soi 1 on return. He agreed to this and that was helpful. I later realised he would have collected me in Hua Hin as my hotel was passed enroute.

 

I set off from HH at 1200 on a Friday, a couple of weeks ago. Scheduled stops are Bangna, Chonburi, Bang Saen, Sriracha, Pattaya, Najomtien and then Sattahip. But, in addition the driver will have umpteen personal stops to make as the bus zig zags along its way. Delivering, collecting parcels, many unscheduled passenger pickups & drop offs, often entailing heavy traffic. The most frustrating thing though, where the frequent fuel stops. He stopped 3 times there and twice on the return. Once, we waited in line for 30 mins to get fuel! The minibuses are LPG with small tanks. JohnnyK was spot on regards times. 5hrs 30min there and 6 hrs back.

 

After the posts regarding a ferry or catamaran service I think I start to understand why that did not suceed. Both journeys I made, full bus. Outward, myself and one other falang. Return, I was only falang. All other passengers are Thai. I think maybe street traders carrying many bags and packages. I don't think these people would pay 1600Tbt each way if they can get a bus for 400Tbt! So, simply not enough falang.

I think a larger, much cheaper, ferry type boat sailing once a day, to say Laem Chabang would be popular. But, there are no port faciities at Hua Hin, just fishing pier and I doubt that would do.

 

Would I reccommend this service? 400Tbt for this bus or 2700Tbt in a taxi seem to be the only options, so, I think yes, I would. Just be prepared to be on the bus for 6 hours and not 4 hours like the guy that sold you the ticket promised!

 

Hua Hin is nice, great seafood and cheap. I would certainly reccomend a side trip to Hua Hin for a few days.

 

Regards,

[lovedog100 1,372]

Going to HuaHin from pattaya I would take the yellow bus to Koh Samet. you catch it at the north road bus terminal 180 baht. Going to Pattaya from Hua Hin, I took a van to a BKK bus terminal, and then the bus to Pattaya. There is also a train available, take the train to BKK then switch to a Pattaya or Hua Hin train. I understand it's slower, but at least you can get up and walk around, has food available, and toilets.

[biggles 509]

I happened to mention my interest in the same trip while in Big C and a local guy said there is a bus company in second road, outside TOPS that runs a bus service every day with mini vans.

[JohnnyK 28]

I've done the HH>>Pats minibus run but will not do it again. I was almost 6 hours in the van except for a pee break or two. I prefer my usual method of minibus HH>>Victory Monument then stretch my legs and a quick bite in the mall at VM. Vans from VM every 20 mins or so, no worries about schedules. A good 30-40 min. stopover helps the second half go better. My trips to Pats have never suffered from taking 40 mins. longer from HH.

[steamer 158]

just did the trip from Hua Hin to Patts and it was about 4 1/2 hours. Would do it again but I wouldn't sit on the back row again as they are the uncomfortable fold down type of seats.

 

The bus was full and was about a 50/50 mix of Thai to fallang.