Cha-Am to Hua Hin in 3 Days
A Coastal Drive Across Phetchaburi

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

A lot of people only think of Hua Hin when they plan a trip to this area. In reality, if you leave Bangkok and head south on Phetkasem Road, you'll pass through Phetchaburi town and Cha-Am before you ever reach Hua Hin — so it makes more sense to string the whole route together in one trip than to skip past it. This plan starts in Phetchaburi town because it's the northernmost point, then works its way down to the sea stop by stop until it finishes in Hua Hin. Driving yourself is the easiest option since the sights are spread out along the coastal road, but if you don't have a car you can take a Bangkok–Hua Hin minivan and then rent a motorbike or hire a local car to get around.

Trip overview: 3 days, and how to get around

The rough shape is this: day one you explore Phetchaburi town (Khao Wang and its famous sweets), then drop down to Cha-Am and visit Mrigadayavan Palace in the afternoon, sleeping a night in Cha-Am. Day two you run down the coast to Hua Hin and cover the railway station and town centre. Day three you head to Khao Takiab and a night market before driving back. If you've only got 2 days, you can merge days one and two together.

• From Bangkok: take Phetkasem Road or the motorway via Pinklao down to Phetchaburi, about 160 km and 2–2.5 hours · Hua Hin is around 196 km, roughly 2.5–3 hours.
• Phetchaburi → Cha-Am: about 40 km along Phetkasem, a little over half an hour.
• Cha-Am → Hua Hin: about 25 km along the coast past Khao Tao, around half an hour.
• No car: minivans and buses run frequently from Bangkok (Southern Terminal) to Hua Hin · or take a Southern Line train to Hua Hin station, then rent a motorbike to get around town.

Day 1 — Phetchaburi town + Mrigadayavan Palace, Cha-Am

On the first day, leave Bangkok a little early and stop in Phetchaburi town before heading to the coast. Phetchaburi is an old town with Phra Nakhon Khiri — known locally as Khao Wang — a royal palace sitting on a hilltop, with a cable car so you don't have to climb. Come back down for Phetchaburi's famous custard and traditional sweets, then drive down to Cha-Am for the seaside teak palace of Mrigadayavan in the afternoon. Finish the day with sunset over Cha-Am beach.

Day 2 — Down the coast to Hua Hin and around town

Today you cross from Phetchaburi into Prachuap Khiri Khan, running along the coast from Cha-Am down to Hua Hin — just about 25 km, passing Khao Tao on the way. Once in Hua Hin, tackle the town landmarks first. Hua Hin railway station is the town's icon: a red-and-yellow wooden building with the royal pavilion of King Rama VI, and everyone stops here for a photo. Then wander Chatchai Market and the walking streets in town.

Day 3 — Khao Takiab + Cicada Market before heading home

On the last day, cover the southern end of Hua Hin. Khao Takiab is a small hill by the sea with a temple and a viewpoint, looking out over the long curve of Hua Hin beach back toward town. There are lots of monkeys around the hill, so mind your things. Come back down for seafood at one of the beachfront spots near Khao Takiab, known for fresh catch — and if you happen to be travelling on a Fri–Sun, stop by Cicada Market before you head home.

Rough budget per person

These figures assume an easygoing trip rather than anything luxe — they're the main costs on top of accommodation and fuel. Hotel prices depend on the level you pick and your travel dates.

• Khao Wang (Phra Nakhon Khiri): admission around 150 THB (foreigners; cheaper for Thais) + cable car around 100 THB
• Mrigadayavan Palace: adults around 90 THB, open Fri–Sun only
• Food: street/market meals 60–150 THB · seaside seafood 300–600 THB per meal depending on what you order
• Phetchaburi sweets: mor kaeng custard, thong yip and foi thong, 50–150 THB per box
• Sheep farm / Santorini (if you stop): entry and activities start in the low hundreds per person, an optional extra

When to go

The Upper Gulf is good to visit almost year-round. The cool season, Nov–Feb, brings pleasant weather and clear water, but it's also the busiest, with high room rates that fill up fast over long weekends · Mar–May is very hot, though the sea is still swimmable · Jun–Oct is the rainy season, with rain in spells rather than all day, lower room rates and fewer people — if you don't mind the odd downpour, it's a good window for cheaper prices. Remember Mrigadayavan Palace and Cicada Market only open Fri–Sun, so plan your trip across a weekend to catch them both.