Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan

Last updated on May 27, 2023

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Thailand has countless beautiful islands and beaches and many of those are frequented by Western tourists. If you’re looking for the beach life, but don’t want to visit a place that’s packed full of sometimes rowdy visitors, head instead to Prachuap Khiri Khan. This coastal town in Central Thailand is frequented by Thai tourists, with thousands of them traveling down from Bangkok to stay in second homes for their vacations. The beaches are gorgeous, and the atmosphere is quieter and more refined, plus there are ample other things to do too, such as visiting nearby national parks, playing golf, shopping, spas and more.

Read about:
Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by Van
Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by Bus
Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by Train
Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by Taxi

Travel Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan

How to Travel from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan

If we’ve caught your attention with that introduction, you’re going to want to know how to get from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan. The good news is that it’s not too far to travel from the capital city. By road it’s a little under 300 kilometers (about 185 miles), and as well as the usual road options of buses, vans, and taxis, you can also get to Prachuap Khiri Khan by train. The even better news is that it’s incredibly affordable to travel this route, especially if you go by van, and with no ferries or changes to worry about, the trip is also nice and easy!

From Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by Van

Van Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan
Vans in Bangkok © Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.com

We’ll start with the cheapest option for travel to Prachuap Khiri Khan from Bangkok, and that’s by van. Call it a van or minibus, they are incredibly affordable and depart from Sai Tai Mai Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, and are operated by Malee Van. There are eight departures per day, spread out across the day from 06:00 until the last departure at 17:30, and the journey takes around 4.5 hours.

Being a van/minibus, you’re basically buying a seat and nothing else, except you do get air conditioning, but, compared to some journeys in Thailand, this one is relatively short, so for the bargain price you probably wouldn’t care!

One thing to be aware of with the vans and buses is that they do not drop you right in the center of Prachuap Khiri Khan, but about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) outside the center, on the highway. This can be very inconvenient if you’re arriving late at night but at most times you should be able to get a tuk-tuk or motorbike to take you into town, especially from the 7-Eleven store.

Bus from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan

Bus Bangkok to Hat Yai
Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok (Sai Tai Mai). © Settawat Udom / Shutterstock.com

Similar to the vans, buses are a very affordable way to travel from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan, and cost just a little more. Tour company, Bang Saphan, operates this route, departing from the Southern Terminal in Bangkok, and arriving (as mentioned above) on the outskirts of Prachuap Khiri Khan. There are numerous departures throughout the day, starting as early as 07:30, with the last one leaving Bangkok at midnight.

Be aware that the advertised scheduled travel time is 3 hours, however, it will take longer than this, even with light traffic, so bear this in mind if you’re planning onward travel and allow yourself several hours extra, to be on the safe side.

The buses are all Express service, so they have air conditioning as well as snacks and a steward, plus there are washrooms onboard.

Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by Train

Aerial view of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and surrounding office buildings under a twilight sky in Bangkok, Thailand
Twilight Aerial View of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Bangkok

Taking the train from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan is a good choice if you like to have a little extra space to spread out in. The train does cost more than the bus, but is still a reasonably priced option. Thai Railways serves Prachuap Khiri Khan via a single route departing from the brand new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. There’s a morning train at 8 AM, followed by six additional trains departing every two hours from 1 PM until 10 PM. Even though none of these trains are overnight, sleeper cabins are available, allowing you to relax in comfort. The scheduled travel time is between 5 and 6 hours.

The benefit of the train over the buses and vans is that it arrives in central Prachuap Khiri Khan, making it easier to get to a hotel or other place without having to worry about catching a tuk-tuk.

By Taxi to Prachuap Khiri Khan from Bangkok

Taxi Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan
Taxi in Bangkok © ferdyboy / Shutterstock.com

The final option for travel from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan is also the most expensive: taxi. Two taxi companies provide services between these two cities, BangkokTaxi24 and Thailand Limo by Datum. Prices are quite comparable between these two, so which one you choose may come down to personal preference over the cars they are operating, or their availability.

For example, you could get a comfort sized sedan, an SUV, or for something larger there are 7-seater minivans, and 8 and 9-seater vans. Obviously, the larger the vehicle, the more you will pay but this also means that you can fit more passengers in and split the cost between you – a great idea if you’re traveling with a group of friends, or with your family. Some of these vehicles even go so far as to provide wifi and TV onboard if you want a high-class service.

The other great advantage with a private taxi over any of the other travel options from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan, is that it’s a door-to-door service. The taxi will collect you from your hotel in Bangkok, and drive you all the way to your hotel (or wherever else you want to be) in Prachuap Khiri Khan. So, it costs more but it’s great for convenience!

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Kamolchat Thanaditsayakun
About Kamolchat Thanaditsayakun

My name is Kamolchat - a writer with a passion for travel who loves sharing stories of new destinations and unforgettable adventures. I was born and raised in Thailand and I have always been captivated by the beauty and diversity of my homeland which inspired me to venture out and discover the world.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of contributing to various travel publications and websites, such as Lonely Planet and Viator. I strive to provide an authentic representation of the places I visit, get into the heart of local cultures and finding authentic experiences that nourishes the soul.

As I continue to journey across the globe, I want you to join me in experiencing the wonders of our world through my stories. Together, we can learn, grow, and be inspired by the incredible people, places, and cultures that make our planet such an extraordinary place to explore.