Blyish if you are worried about the hospital viz you might also be worried about the speed of the van, the devil may care attitude of the driver/s and up to 17 other passengers crammed in with you. Good luck it is the fastest and most convenient means. I must admit however the bus to the sth'n terminal and taxi into town was no problem and more comfortable!

No, I wish. It's been a hell of a week.

The reason I'm still thinking about the big bus is mostly because I have an issue with personal space and I'm pretty sure it's pretty tight in the small vans.

If personal space is a problem and money in no problem get a door to door taxi. 1800Bht one way

I'd love to, but money IS a problem. Like I said, it's been a hell of a week. My whole life is all upside down right now (and not in a fun, happy kind of way). I'm going to Bangkok on Wednesday, so I need to make a decision soon. If I choose the big bus, I want to buy my ticket in advance. They don't leave that often.

I've travelled 4 times in the minivans HH - BKK - HH and it is very cramped inside, makes sardines in a can look spacious, mind you I am 6' tall - GF had no problem though. They are fast albeit the driving is pretty hairy on occasions.

HT

I have only had to use the mini bus once, and to be honest, I would not allow my dog to travel on the things. Leave Hua Hin a bit earlier and travel on the big bus.

The big blue air-con buses should be much safer than the vans and depart approximately every hour and you can book up to one day in advance.
Four of the daily departure times (including 9am?) also stop at Mo Chit bus station which, unlike the Southern Bus Terminus, is about a 10 minute walk or short taxi ride to a Skytrain station (Mo Chit)

Thank you, guys. I really appreciate all the help.

I've been on the mini vans maybe 100 times and had only one cowboy driver.

Generally they're not too bad, but one of the drivers from the new operator almost got the thing airborne at one point when we were heading up to try and get a flight home in April.
I remember saying to my partner, " I really need to get a flight today, but I would be a lot happier if it was in an aeroplane!"

We almost always use the minivans. I'm pretty good size so if the front seat is open I get placed there a lot. A couple times I've been crammed in the back and not great, but bearable.

We have had no problems with the bigger buses, but the minivans tend to be where we look first.

Ok, an update. I bought tickets for the big bus. When I showed up to take it at 9am, I was told the bus "was lost" and would show up here in about 2 hours. The clerk then insisted I should take a mini-van. Seemed a little odd, but I couldn't wait two hours (if it was true), so I took the mini-van. I didn't have to pay again, just in case anybody's wondering. There were only three other people inside. I sat on one of the single seats so I was fine. I slept the whole way to Bangkok, so if I was near death, I didn't notice.

For my way back, I went to the bus station so I could get on the big bus. It was a nightmare. Not only was the bus falling down to pieces, but it was hot as hell. I mean, HOT. It got better once it was dark, but the first two hours of the trip were absolutely horrible.

I think I'm taking the mini-van next time.

Funny you should say that the bus station redirected you to the minibuses. The same happened to me some years ago. However, they didn't use the excuse of a lost bus that time. It happened because they couldn't/didn't want to change my 1,000 THB note. Ir was an early departure, but you'd think that a bus station would have change at any time.
I gave up and went the next day with approximately the right money.

Hi,
July seems to be the last time this subject was spoken of.

I'm planning to be in HH in late September.

My question is - are the buses still leaving from the usual place in the Victory Monument area.

Thanks.