The Trip in One Sentence
Two nights in Bangkok to acclimatise, four nights near Hua Hin town to settle in, four nights in a private beach villa to truly recharge, one last night near the airport for a stress-free departure – all for around €1,250 per person, flights included.
Along for the ride: my parents. First time in Thailand. The whole plan was built around them.
Step 0: From Car to Plane – Parking at Zurich Airport
Before the trip even begins, the same question always pops up for us drivers: where to leave the car for two weeks? Taking the train to Zurich with four people and luggage wasn't an option.
We booked a parking spot at the Mövenpick Zurich Airport Hotel through Parkvia – €138 for two weeks, including shuttle to the terminal. Parkvia lets you compare all the parking providers around the airport and book a fixed price in advance, which is significantly cheaper than the official airport car parks.
Tip: The earlier you book, the cheaper it gets. We reserved our parking spot months in advance and got the best possible rate.
Step 1: The Flight – Keep Research and Booking Separate
We deliberately booked the flight in two steps, because that almost always gets you the better price:
- Research on Momondo. You get a clear overview of which airline is attractive on which dates – without the pressure of booking immediately.
- Booking on Trip.com. The final Etihad price there was lower than on the airline's own website.
We flew out on Tuesday, 24 February at 10:45 a.m. from Zurich, landing in Bangkok at 07:10 a.m. on Wednesday, 25 February – with a layover in Abu Dhabi. €550 per person, which is a really fair price for Zurich–Bangkok with a stopover.
Compare flights to Bangkok on Trip.com →
Honest note: We only used Momondo for research; the booking went directly through Trip.com. Both have become part of our standard workflow.
Step 2: Internet from Second One – eSIM with Airalo
Before every trip I get an eSIM – it's been our standard for ages, instead of wasting time wrestling with SIM cards at the airport.
We bought a 15-day eSIM with 20 GB for €16 from Airalo (the Maew plan for Thailand) for everyone in the family, installed it at home before departure, and simply walked off the plane in Bangkok – internet worked immediately.
Why eSIM instead of a physical SIM?
- Install before the trip, activate at your destination with one click.
- Your home SIM stays in – important for SMS-TANs from online banking.
- 20 GB for two weeks is more than enough for maps, translator apps, the Booking app and the occasional social post.
Step 3: Airport Transfer with GetTransfer – an Honest Review
We booked the transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Qiu Hotel in advance via GetTransfer. After 13 hours of travel, having a fixed price and a fixed pickup point is gold – no haggling with taxi drivers at half past seven in the morning.
What was good:
- Price: €42 for four people in an air-conditioned van – fair compared to taxis into central Bangkok.
- Almost-new vehicle, fully equipped.
- The driver was relaxed and patient even though we hit the morning rush hour and the drive took a full hour.
What wasn't ideal:
- The driver was 10 minutes late to the pickup point.
- The name on his sign was mine, not my parents', even though my parents were listed as the main contact on the booking.
Both small things, but worth mentioning. Overall, we'd book GetTransfer again.
Step 4: Two Nights in Bangkok – the Perfect Warm-up
Our Hotel: Qiu Hotel Sukhumvit
€310 for two rooms, two nights, four people, breakfast included – that's a really good price for Sukhumvit and an honest recommendation for families.
Location is the trump card: less than a five-minute walk to the On Nut BTS Skytrain station, with a huge shopping mall right across Sukhumvit Road. On both evenings we were there, a night market ran in front of the mall – perfect for grabbing something to eat after a long day and soaking up the atmosphere without going far.
See Qiu Hotel Sukhumvit on Booking.com →
Day 1 in Bangkok: Wat Pho
We arrived at Wat Pho around 10:30 a.m. – in hindsight, too late. Entry is 300 Baht (about €8) per person, and the temple grounds are genuinely large.
The main attraction, the Reclining Buddha, is impressively huge – but very touristy. Taking a photo without someone else's head in the frame was practically impossible. If clean shots matter to you, come before 9 a.m.
You'll find more tours and tickets for Bangkok on GetYourGuide.
Day 2 in Bangkok: Chinatown and the White Orchid Dinner Cruise
We went to Chinatown deliberately just for the decoration – the red lanterns, the signs, the atmosphere. We didn't eat there, because we'd booked the dinner cruise for the evening and wanted to save our appetite.
Tip: Getting to Chinatown can take a while depending on your starting point. We went by Skytrain and then Metro, which was convenient but time-consuming.
The evening belonged to the White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise, booked through GetYourGuide.
What we liked:
- Departure 5 p.m. from IconSiam, no mass-tourism feel like with some other operators.
- Buffet included, decent selection, honest quality.
- Free beer for two hours – other drinks besides water cost extra.
- Musical entertainment on board from two genuinely funny older Filipino singers. One of the secret highlights of the evening.
What we liked less:
- The cruise was too early for me to photograph Wat Arun illuminated at night. If that's your main goal, look for a later tour.
Step 5: Bangkok to Hua Hin – Glassflower Luxury Van via 12Go
Instead of taking the train (slow) or the bus (not an option with four suitcases and four people), we booked the Luxury VIP Van 9 pax from Glassflower via 12Go.
- Departure at 10 a.m. directly from the Qiu Hotel.
- Travel time: just under four hours with a short break.
- Price: €92 for four people.
The driver was punctual to the minute, warm and – as is so often beautifully the case in Thailand – traditionally smiling, helpful and friendly. For four people with the comfort of a fully private vehicle, this was worth every euro.
Book private vans & transfers on 12Go →
Step 6: Four Nights at We by SIRIN – Hua Hin from the Local Side
For our first four nights in Hua Hin we paid €1,150 for five days / four nights. A genuinely lovely, spotlessly clean place with a saltwater pool, self-catering.
The location is a little away from the beach – and that was exactly right for the first days. Instead of the tourist strip, we got to experience local Hua Hin:
- We rented two scooters for 350 Baht/day each on the spot – the best decision for this stretch.
- A 7-Eleven less than two minutes away by scooter, another within three.
- A traditional market open daily from 2 to 8 p.m. – warm food, fruit, vegetables, clothes, everything at local prices.
See comparable stays in Hua Hin →
What We Explored on the Scooters
- Market Village and Bluport – the two big malls for air-conditioned breaks.
- The Hua Hin Night Market – visited multiple times, worth it every single one.
- The Fishing Pier – one evening with a night market and plenty of food stalls.
- Wat Khao Takiab – the temple hill with monkeys and a great view.
- Khao Kalok Beach – one of the quieter beaches south of Hua Hin, easy to reach by scooter.
Important safety note: When renting a scooter, never hand over your passport as a deposit – no matter how nicely you're asked. Make a colour copy of your passport at home before the trip and hand that over instead. This protects you from major trouble if anything goes wrong at rental or return time. Helmets are provided; nobody checks whether you wear yours – but you should. Traffic rules are interpreted generously, so drive defensively.
Step 7: Four Nights at Comehome Beach Villa – the Highlight
For the second leg of our Hua Hin stay, we deliberately moved away from the town buzz. €950 for five days / four nights in a private villa right on the beach, sleeping up to six people, with a beautiful large terrace table for everyone and its own pool. Self-catering.
Three things that made this villa unforgettable:
- Right on the beach. Five steps down and you're on the sand. For four nights, we had the beach almost entirely to ourselves.
- The pool flowed directly into the terrace. Salt water, lovely to swim in, no chlorine smell.
- Sunrise straight out the terrace door. Whoever got up between 6 and 7 a.m. and opened the door saw the sun rise directly in front of them over the sea. Nobody forgets that.
See comparable beachfront stays in Hua Hin →
What You Should Know Before You Book
Right next door to the villa stands a restaurant. It's handy during the day and not loud – but it can occasionally smell quite strongly of food and kitchen, depending on the wind. Not a problem for us, but worth mentioning for guests particularly sensitive to smells.
Step 8: Back to Bangkok – Glassflower Again, a Small Surprise
For the return transfer we again booked Glassflower via 12Go: €100 for four people, same vehicle category as on the way down.
What we hadn't expected: even though the category was identical, a standard van showed up – not quite as luxurious as the first. Driving comfort was still entirely fine, AC worked, seats were comfortable.
What was right again: the driver was punctual to the minute, super friendly and pleasant. Direct pickup at the villa, direct drop-off at our airport hotel. These two Glassflower runs were so reliable that we'd book them again – including the small risk that the second van might be a touch less luxurious.
Step 9: The Great Residence Suvarnabhumi – the Last Night, Honestly Reviewed
For the last night before flying home, only one thing mattered: a short way to the airport, no stress on departure day. The hotel's location is ideal for exactly that.
The honest impression:
- Location top – very close to the airport, restaurants and a 7-Eleven about 10 minutes away.
- Price fair for the purpose.
- However: the hotel has clearly seen better days. Scratches and scuffs on furniture and walls, very minimal room furnishings.
- The pool looks bigger in the Trip.com photos than it actually is.
Our clear recommendation: a maximum of one night before departure – as a pure sleep-and-leave stop. For a longer stay we wouldn't choose it.
On departure morning we took a Grab to Suvarnabhumi – 150 Baht, about €4 for the short ride. It doesn't get much more relaxed than that. If you'd like to see the stay itself: The Great Residence Suvarnabhumi on Trip.com.
The Real Total – Nothing Glossed Over
| Item | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich Airport parking (Parkvia, 2 weeks) | €138 | €34.50 |
| Flight Etihad ZRH–BKK (via Trip.com) | €2,200 | €550 |
| Airalo eSIM 15 days / 20 GB (Maew plan) | €64 | €16 |
| GetTransfer airport → Bangkok | €42 | €10.50 |
| Qiu Hotel Sukhumvit (2 nights, breakfast included) | €310 | €77.50 |
| Wat Pho entry | €32 | €8 |
| Glassflower van Bangkok → Hua Hin (12Go) | €92 | €23 |
| We by SIRIN (4 nights, self-catering) | €1,150 | €287.50 |
| Comehome Beach Villa (4 nights, self-catering) | €950 | €237.50 |
| Glassflower van Hua Hin → Bangkok (12Go) | €100 | €25 |
| The Great Residence Suvarnabhumi (1 night) | €41 | €10.25 |
| Grab to the airport | €4 | €1 |
| Total (excl. meals, tours, scooter rental) | €5,123 | ≈ €1,281 |
Those are the real numbers from our trip. Meals at the self-catering stays, scooter rental, dinner cruise and souvenirs come on top depending on lifestyle – we ended up at around €1,500 per person all in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the best time to travel to Hua Hin?
November to March. Dry, warm days around 30 degrees, barely any rain. We went late February to early March – ideal.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
For Swiss and EU citizens, visa-free stays of up to 60 days as a tourist currently apply. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining on entry.
Is Hua Hin suitable for older travellers?
Yes, very much so. Unlike Phuket or Koh Samui, Hua Hin is more relaxed, less party, more "royal seaside retreat". Low stress, good hospitals, plenty of Western restaurants. My parents didn't feel overwhelmed for a second.
Is a private van Bangkok → Hua Hin worth it over bus or train?
For four people with luggage, definitely yes. €92 for the whole group in a private van, door to door, no transfer – barely more expensive than four bus tickets, and far more comfortable.
Which airport transfer Suvarnabhumi → Bangkok City?
We used GetTransfer and would do it again – €42 for four people, fixed price, no haggling after a long flight. The driver was 10 minutes late, but everything else was great.
Renting a scooter in Hua Hin – is it safe?
If you ride defensively, yes. 350 Baht per day. Crucial: never hand over your passport as a deposit – take a colour passport copy from home and leave that instead. Helmets are provided. We had two scooters for four people, which worked perfectly.
Is the White Orchid Dinner Cruise worth it?
For us, yes – not a mass-market feel, good buffet, fun music. Just one thing: if you want to photograph Wat Arun at night, the 5 p.m. departure is too early. Look for a later cruise.
Ready to Plan Your Own Trip?
This trip – flexible to adapt, with the same tried-and-tested providers – can be put together in just a few clicks:
- Parking at Zurich Airport → Compare Parkvia
- Compare flights → Trip.com
- eSIM for Thailand → Airalo Maew plan
- Airport transfer from Suvarnabhumi → GetTransfer
- Hotels in Bangkok → Qiu Hotel Sukhumvit
- Stays in Hua Hin → near town or on the beach
- Hotel near Bangkok Airport → The Great Residence Suvarnabhumi
- Private van Bangkok ↔ Hua Hin → 12Go
- Tours & tickets (dinner cruise, Wat Pho) → GetYourGuide
Got questions about the route, the hotels or the timing? Get in touch via our contact form – we reply within 24 hours.
Disclosure: Some of the booking recommendations linked in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, we receive a small commission – at no extra cost to you. That's how we fund db-travels.com and keep writing honest, personal travel reports for you. All prices and impressions in this post reflect our actual trip in February/March 2026 and may vary depending on season and time of booking.
