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🚗 Cross-province road trip

Phetchaburi–Prachuap
Cha-am to Hua Hin in 3 Days, 2 Nights

Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan sit right next to each other on the same Phetkasem highway, and Cha-am is only about 25 km from Hua Hin, so you can drive straight through without backtracking. That makes for a really tidy cross-province trip. You start in Phetchaburi town for Khao Wang and the local sweets, drift down to Cha-am beach, then carry on to Hua Hin and Pranburi. We've laid it out as 3 days and 2 nights, with the times, distances, and food and sleep stops you can actually follow.

🚗 One highway, no backtracking🏖️ Two beaches, one trip🍮 Phetchaburi + Hua Hin
Phetchaburi–Prachuap Cha-am to Hua Hin in 3 Days, 2 Nights

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The beauty of this route is that it connects without any doubling back. You leave Bangkok on Phetkasem, hit Phetchaburi town first (about 2 hours), do the culture and dessert stops, then drift south one stretch at a time: Cha-am, Hua Hin, Pranburi. The whole trip is under 90 km, but the scenery changes from a hill in the old town to long sandy beaches and night markets. It works really well if you have a car, or rent one to drive yourself over a long weekend.

Read this before you set off

This trip is built around having a car, which is by far the smoothest way to do it, because the sights are spread out along Phetkasem. If you don't have a car, you can take a van or coach down to Hua Hin and rent a motorbike or grab a ride around town, which is workable. But the Phetchaburi town side and Maruekhathaiyawan are harder to reach without your own wheels.

The 3-day route at a glance

  • Day 1 — Phetchaburi town + down to Cha-am Khao Wang, Khao Luang Cave, mor kaeng custard, then a night by the sea at Cha-am
  • Day 2 — Cha-am to Hua Hin Maruekhathaiyawan, Suan Son Pradiphat, into Hua Hin town, the night market
  • Day 3 — Hua Hin–Pranburi Khao Takiab, Wat Huay Mongkol, markets, then the drive home
  • Total distance Phetchaburi→Cha-am ~41 km · Cha-am→Hua Hin ~25 km · Hua Hin→Pranburi ~25 km
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Day 1 — Phetchaburi town, then drift down to Cha-am

Day one is about making the most of Phetchaburi before you hit the beach, because the culture stops and the sweets are all in town. Then in the late afternoon you drive down to Cha-am and check in by the sand.

Day 1

Phetchaburi town → Cha-am Beach

08:00
Leave Bangkok, head down PhetkasemYou'll reach Phetchaburi town around 10am. Stop for breakfast or coffee in the old town first if you like.
10:00
Up to Khao Wang (Phra Nakhon Khiri)A hilltop palace from the reign of King Rama IV, with a funicular up and down. Park entry is a few tens of baht for Thais. The view over Phetchaburi is lovely in the late morning.
11:30
On to Khao Luang CaveAbout 5 km from Khao Wang. The highlight is the shaft of light that drops through the cave's opening in the late morning. Go before 10–10:30am for the best light.
13:00
Lunch + buy mor kaeng custardPhetchaburi is a town of sweets, and the famous mor kaeng custard shops sell fast. Buy in the morning or early afternoon and you'll have a fuller selection.
15:00
Drive down to Cha-am ~41 kmAbout 40–50 minutes. Check in to your spot on Cha-am beach.
17:00
Evening stroll on Cha-am beachA long sandy beach. Sit by the water, rent an umbrella and deckchair. The cool breeze in the evening is just right.
19:00
Cha-am seafood dinner + night marketPlaces like Krua Je Nong Seafood or the beachfront restaurants have fresh blue crab, prawns and shellfish. Finish with a wander through the Cha-am night market.

Day 1 tip

If you'd rather not rush, drop Khao Luang Cave and keep just Khao Wang, which leaves time to wander Phetchaburi's old town at an easy pace. The town is a pleasant mix of temples and old cafes to stroll around.

Day 2 — From Cha-am into Hua Hin

The stretch between Cha-am and Hua Hin is the heart of this cross-province trip. Along the way you've got Maruekhathaiyawan Palace and Suan Son Pradiphat sitting right on the route, so you can stop without going out of your way. Then in the afternoon you head into Hua Hin town for a long evening of market-walking.

Day 2

Cha-am → Maruekhathaiyawan → Hua Hin

08:30
Breakfast by the beach, check outNo need to rush — today's a short hop.
09:30
Maruekhathaiyawan PalaceA teakwood palace from the reign of King Rama VI, by the sea between Cha-am and Hua Hin. The Thai–European architecture is beautiful. Dress modestly.
11:30
Suan Son PradiphatA quiet pine-lined beach in a military zone, about 7 km from central Hua Hin. Good for sitting by the sea away from the crowds.
12:30
Lunch, head into Hua HinPick a beachfront seafood spot in Hua Hin, like one of the old wooden houses near the beach. Crab-roe chili dip with steamed blue crab is a standout.
14:00
Check in to your Hua Hin stay + an afternoon breakSkip the harsh afternoon sun. Take a swim in the pool or a quick nap.
16:30
Chatchai Market / old-town Hua Hin walkA historic market with its seven-arch curved roof, over 80 years old, packed with food and souvenirs.
18:30
Hua Hin night marketThe dinner highlight — grilled seafood, noodles, desserts, buzzing every night. You can graze your way down it.
Optional

Sam Phan Nam Floating Market

A Victorian-style floating market where you can take a boat past the shops. Good for photos if you have time to spare on Day 2 afternoon.

Retro

Plearn Wan

A retro market recreating an old-time vibe, with sweet shops, vintage toys and an outdoor cinema. Nice for an easy evening stroll.

Day 3 — South Hua Hin down to Pranburi, then home

On the last day you cover the southern side of Hua Hin that a lot of people skip, both Khao Takiab and Wat Huay Mongkol, then dip a little way down to Pranburi before turning back. We've set it up to finish in the early afternoon so you can drive back to Bangkok without wearing yourself out.

Day 3

Khao Takiab → Wat Huay Mongkol → drive home

08:00
Breakfast, check outLeave your bags at the resort first if they allow it.
09:00
Khao TakiabThe temple on Khao Takiab hill by the sea south of Hua Hin, with a lovely bay view. Watch your belongings around the troop of monkeys.
10:30
Wat Huay MongkolA giant Luang Pho Thuat statue, nearly 10 metres across the lap, inland to the west of Hua Hin. There's a souvenir market in the temple grounds.
12:00
Lunch around Pranburi / south Hua HinIf you want to carry on to Pranburi, it's another 25 km or so down, with seafood places to choose from at Pak Nam Pran.
13:30
Pick up souvenirs before heading backMor kaeng custard, Hua Hin pineapple, dried squid, processed seafood — there are plenty of souvenir shops along Phetkasem.
14:30
Set off back to BangkokTry to leave before 4pm on a Sunday — the inbound traffic backs up in the evening.

Stay in Cha-am or Hua Hin?

For this trip we have you spend a night in each place, so you get a feel for both towns. Cha-am is quieter, and beachfront rooms tend to be cheaper, which suits the first night after a tiring drive down. Hua Hin is livelier, with more markets, restaurants and cafes, so it suits the night you want to be out walking around. If you'd rather save on check-ins and check-outs, you can base yourself in Hua Hin alone and run over to Cha-am and back, since they're only about 25 km apart.

Accommodation budget

Cha-am ranges from beachfront stays in the low thousands of baht up to big resorts, while Hua Hin has a much wider spread, from in-town guesthouses to luxury beachfront hotels. Over long holidays, book ahead because rooms fill up fast.

Tips for driving this route

  • Phetkasem is the spine Almost every sight is on or near Phetkasem, so you don't need to head deep into the back lanes.
  • Avoid Sunday evening The return leg between 4 and 8pm gets long, slow traffic heading into Bangkok. Leaving before 2pm is much easier.
  • Fill up in town There are stations all along Phetkasem, but some gaps between sights are long. Topping up early gives peace of mind.
  • Parking Khao Wang and the temples have parking. The Hua Hin night market is hard to park near on weekends, so allow time to walk a bit.

Want a plan for just one province? See our full Phetchaburi guide

See the Phetchaburi guide →

FAQ

How many days is ideal for Phetchaburi–Prachuap, Cha-am to Hua Hin?

Three days and two nights is about right. Day one covers Phetchaburi town and down to Cha-am, day two crosses into Hua Hin, day three covers south Hua Hin and Pranburi before you head back. If you're short on time, you can trim it to 2 days and 1 night by cutting Phetchaburi town and Pranburi.

How far apart are Cha-am and Hua Hin, and is it an easy drive?

About 25 km on the Phetkasem highway, roughly a 30–40 minute drive. It's a straight, easy road, which is exactly why a cross-province trip in one go works so well here.

Can you do this route without your own car?

Yes, but it's less smooth. We'd suggest taking a van or coach down to Hua Hin as your base, then renting a motorbike or grabbing rides around town. Spots like Maruekhathaiyawan and Phetchaburi town are harder to reach without a car, so you may need to charter one for those legs.

When's the best time to do this route?

November to February has the best weather — clear skies, cool breezes, calm seas. Long holidays get crowded and rooms fill up fast, so if you can go on a weekday it's easier on both accommodation and traffic.

When should you buy Phetchaburi mor kaeng custard?

Morning to midday is best, since the famous shops sell quickly and run out fast. If you're buying it as a gift to take home, buy it on the last day on the way back so it's fresher.

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