Bangkok has two beach towns within three hours, on opposite sides of the gulf, with opposite personalities.
At a glance#
| Pattaya | Hua Hin | |
|---|---|---|
| From Bangkok | 2h (Ekkamai bus) | 2.5–3h (bus or train) |
| Beach | Average; Koh Larn is the good one | Long, clean, calm |
| Feel | Loud, international | Relaxed, Thai, royal |
| Families | Daytime yes | Yes |
| Nightlife | Walking Street, the lot | Night markets, bars, quiet |
| Attractions | Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch, islands | Cicada market, Khao Takiab, vineyards |
| Best for | Day trips and nights out | A calm weekend |
Pattaya#
What Pattaya is actually like, a day trip from Bangkok, nightlife, honestly, in November.
Hua Hin#
A long beach you can ride a horse on, Khao Takiab's monkey temple at the south end, Cicada and Tamarind night markets on the weekend, a train station that's a postcard, vineyards and water parks inland. Hua Hin is where Bangkok families go for a quiet weekend, and it feels like it.
Decide#
Quiet beach, families, older couples: Hua Hin. Islands, attractions, nights out, a quicker trip: Pattaya. More day-trip options from the capital: best day trips from Bangkok.
Ask someone who lives there#
A Pattaya Local Friend knows which Koh Larn beach is empty and where the seafood is on Naklua. They set their own rates and message you before you meet.
Do the coast with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local Friend in PattayaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Hua Hin nicer than Pattaya?
Quieter and more Thai, with a longer beach and a relaxed night market scene. Pattaya has more to do, more hotels and the nightlife. Which is nicer depends on what you want from a weekend.Which is closer to Bangkok, Pattaya or Hua Hin?
Pattaya, about 2 hours by road from Ekkamai. Hua Hin is 2.5 to 3 hours by bus from Sai Tai Mai or by train from Hua Lamphong (the scenic, slow option).Is Pattaya family-friendly?
The daytime version is: Koh Larn, the Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch, Jomtien beach. The nightlife is concentrated and easy to avoid. Hua Hin is the easier family choice overall.Which has better beaches, Pattaya or Hua Hin?
Hua Hin's beach is longer and cleaner than Pattaya's; Koh Larn, off Pattaya, beats both. Neither compares with Phuket, Krabi or Samui.Which is cheaper, Pattaya or Hua Hin?
Similar. Pattaya has more budget rooms; Hua Hin has more mid-range resorts. Food and transport cost about the same.