Bangkok to Hua Hin on Train 261 Ordinary Train service
The train from Bangkok to Hua Hin is an easy way to get to this beach city near Bangkok. Even though the main train station of Bangkok has moved to Bang Sue, it’s still possible to get a train from the old Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong).
This article is a review of Train 261 that from Hua Lamphong to Hua Hin.
[Hua Lamphong / Bangkok Station.]
Hua Lamphong is officially known as Bangkok Station, though you can call it both. If you are arriving by taxi then make sure they take you to Hua Lamphong and not the new station at Bang Sue.
Most train services have moved from Hua Lamphong to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, but there are some service that still run here.
Train 261 departs Bangkok at 9.20 and there are no reserved seats, so you just buy a ticket on the morning of departure. You can confirm it is operating on the official website at railway.co.th/Station/StationList.
Ordinary Trains are the cheapest trains in Thailand. The ticket cost 44 THB ($1.25 USD) as of 2023.
I arrived early to get a ticket, and then had a coffee at Black Canyon Coffee overlooking the main hallway.
You can board the train about 30 minutes before departure, and for unreserved seats I prefer to arrive early to secure a seat.
The seats are padded bench seats, and there is no A/C. The carriages have fans and the windows are left open unless it is raining. This is a nice change of pace to travel on a train with open windows and to have an unobstructed view. I have seen photos of the carriages that have wooden bench seats, but the train I was on didn’t have wooden seats.
The train stops at Bang Sue Junction, which is opposite the behemoth Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (the new main station of Bangkok).
[Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.]
Train 261 stops at smaller stations, so it’s slower than the express train. The train also stops at passing loops while waiting for opposing trains to pass. This will soon be a thing of the past when the double tracking project is complete.
The train has toilets of the squat and seated variety.
There is no restaurant section, though there are many food and drink vendors that board the train during the trip.
I have taken the bus and minivan to Hua Hin numerous times, and the road is a big highway through urban blight. I didn’t realise that the province of Petchaburi was so scenic.
I appreciated having the open windows to get a clear view.
The train is scheduled to arrive at Hua Hin at 13.35, though expect delays. The station is near the city centre, so it is walkable to the best areas to stay in Hua Hin.
[Train 261 arrived at Hua Hin.]
There a new station being built next to Hua Hin Station, and an elevated line is being built in Hua Hin along with the double tracking project.
Overall this was an enjoyable way to get to Hua Hin. Even though the minivan is a faster option, this is a far more relaxing way to arrive. I think the morning express train is better as you arrive at lunch time, but this is a good way to go if you can’t get an express ticket.
The return leg is Train 262, departing Hua Hin at 14.10 and arriving in Bangkok at 19.00.
If you are new to Hua Hin, then read my trip report for Hua Hin.
Read train travel is part of a series of train travel in Southeast Asia.
for me the highlight of this train is somewhere at one of the small stations midway an elderly lady would get on and sell the most wonderful noodles wrapped in a banana leaf – used to be 10 baht. Can not remember where she got on and off but I have never seen her on the expresses and rapids
I have wondered about these vendors and if you get to know them by the stations
Yes James. Most of these vendors that jump on and off the train have regular routine where they get on and off and seem to have plan b for late trains. Just as at the stations the vendors are regulars and the food offered day to day does not vary. Every now and again you will find vendors selling something different at a station- for instance at Ban Phachi junction you always get iced drink
Being a local from Bangkok, I agree with your comment.
Will definitely try on the way back from HH to Bangkok. Thanks James
Thanks for the review, James. My wife and I are in our mid 70s and are planning a trip to HH in Apr/May 2024. With the opening of the dual track there has been a revision in the Southern Line timetable train 261 is the obvious choice – it leaves a little later than the express and arrives around hotel check in time..
Can you recall how crowded it was at this time of year?
Also, I have seen pics of this train as a loco pulled train with wooden seats, Do you know if it is now always a DRC or were you just lucky.
Again, thanks for the review.
Cheers
Patrick In my experience the train has never been too crowded (may be different if you travel around Songkran).
My memory of this train is DRC but the trains out of Thonburi were all loco hauled with mix of wooden and cushioned seats
Thanks Alistair
Thanks Patrick. I haven’t taken the trai enough to know if it gets crowded. If you are getting on at Bangkok at least you can arrive a bit earlier to get a seat (that was my experience when I got the train to Pattaya, which fills up).
I will go to Hua Hin in the next month so i will update posts about travel times to the new station.
Thanks again James
hi, can i take this 261 train from Thon Buri train station?
261 departs from Hua Lamphong. Trains 255 and 177 depart from Thon Buri.