How to Get Around in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Before we visit a new city, we like to do some research into how to get around once we’re there. Is there an effective public transportation system? Can we use Uber or Grab? Are taxis easy to find? In Prachuap Khiri Khan, the unfortunate answer to all of those questions is “no.” But there’s good news: you may not even find yourself missing them! Here are our top recommendations for getting around Prachuap Khiri Khan.
For short distances: walking
Much of the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan is within easy walking distance. From the train station to the main pier in the heart of downtown is under 10 minutes. It’s even less from the pier to the base of Khao Chong Kra Chok (the temple-topped hill overlooking the town) or many of the area’s restaurants, hotels, and guesthouses.
For medium distances: rent a bike
Because Prachuap Khiri Khan is such a relaxed and quiet town, it’s easy to get around by bike. (And I say that as someone who has no bike-riding skills and refuses to ride them on streets with any real traffic at all.) If you’re going to nearby destinations like Khao Ta Mong Lai Forest Park, Ao Manao, or to visit the dusky langurs, a bike is probably all you need!
You can rent bikes at several stalls on the main street along the waterfront. From the pier, just walk south for a block or so and you’ll see lines of bikes for rent on the sidewalk. Expect to pay about 50 baht ($1.50 USD) per bike per day.
Your hotel might also have bikes for you to use, either for free or for rent, so check there before heading out to rent one!
When you’re carrying luggage, it’s super hot, or you just feel lazy: hire a tuk-tuk
Sometimes you just don’t want the exercise involved in walking or even biking. And that’s totally fine. (There have been times that we’ve been so lazy that we’ve taken a tuk-tuk for just a few blocks to avoid walking in the blazing sun!)
You’ll see tuk-tuks pretty often on the main streets in town, especially along the waterfront and between the waterfront and the train station. If they don’t offer you a ride (which they likely will, if you look like a tourist), you can just flag one down like you would a taxi.
Keep in mind that many of the tuk-tuks in Prachuap Khiri Khan aren’t actually for hire, but instead are for transporting things around town. Some of them are even little mobile street food stalls! So don’t be surprised if some of them don’t stop to pick you up.
Prices are pretty arbitrary as far as we can tell, but we’ve never been asked for more than 100 baht total/50 baht per person (about $3 total/$1.50 per person) for a ride within the town. Of course, expect to pay more if you want your tuk tuk driver to wait for you while you shop, eat, sightsee, etc.