Self-Guided Cycle Tour of Thailand - A Scenic Bike Ride Along the Coast to the Islands
*This tour was previously called: Thailand Self-Guided Cycle Tour
Sun, sand, sea, and cycling - an idyllic blend creating exactly what cycling vacations should be about! Travel from the Gulf of Thailand to the islands, biking along quiet back roads to lesser-known gems and unspoiled beaches yet to be touched by the tourism surge.
If you love cycling traffic-free roads along beautiful coastline, rural back roads with the occasional dirt road, fueled by Thai food, this tour is for you!
Wheels
Overview
Southern Thailand is a cyclist’s paradise, offering smooth, traffic-free roads and breathtaking coastal views. This tour will take you along the Gulf of Thailand to the islands, exploring quiet back roads through photogenic countryside and sleepy shorelines.
Your adventure begins in Hua Hin with a warm-up ride on charming backroads. Pedal past Pranburi, marvel at the stunning Phraya Nakhon Cave, and soak in the gorgeous coastal scenery. Discover hidden gems like playful Langur monkeys and serene beaches in Ban Krut, then cycle through lush fruit plantations to a cozy resort in Bang Saphan Noi.
Wrap up your journey with a scenic ride to Chumphon, where you can choose to sail to the islands, unwind, or catch a flight back to Bangkok.
Relish the freedom of setting your own pace—one of the pure joys of self-guided cycling—backed by Grasshopper’s seamless logistical support.
With your luggage transfers sorted, hotels booked, and navigational aids at your fingertips, all you have to focus on is the ride (and maybe where to find the best pad thai).
Our mobile app has got you covered with audio commentary, insider tips on the best food spots, and precise route maps. Plus, you’ll be riding top-quality bikes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable adventure throughout.
Craving more?
Extend your adventure with our Bangkok (pre-trip) and Phuket or Samui (post-trip) for a well-rounded Thai experience.
What's the riding like?
This tour covers 358km (222mi) , primarily navigating scenic rural back roads, with a few stretches on dirt and a brief unavoidable highway segment. Expect a mix of flat terrain and gently undulating hills, making it a rewarding ride for cyclists who are comfortable with the distances. This tour is perfect for those looking to push their limits while enjoying the beautiful and varied landscapes of Southern Thailand.
Unsure about the challenge? Reach out to our guest support team to inquire about optional van support upgrades.
For an extra boost, upgrade to a pedal-assist E-bike for $175.
Single Room Option: +$285
Traveling with companions but prefer your own space? Choose this option to have a private room while sharing the tour with fellow travelers.
Solo Rider Option: +$990
Traveling alone? This option ensures you have a private room to yourself and covers all the extra costs of solo travel.
Highlights
- Pedal along the coast and then back roads through the countryside to the charming beach town of Pranburi.
- Visit the “monkey temple” of Prachuap Khiri Khan full of Langurs and stunning views of the bay and countryside.
- Bike to secluded Phaya Nakon Cave and its vast illuminated chamber
- Eat fresh crab on the beach in Hua Hin
- Learn about local aquamarine life with a stop at the Waghor Aquarium.
INCLUSIONS
- 6 nights in comfortable hotels
- All breakfasts
- Quality bike, and a helmet
- Navigational device loaded with GPS routes mounted to your bike
- Self-guided app and navigation equipment
- A bike fitting & briefing with a Grasshopper representative on Day 1
- Luggage transfers and on-call support
- Memento cycling jersey and water bottle
What our Guests Say
Day to Day
Your adventure begins fresh and early in Bangkok where you'll board a van to Hua Hin, a charming seaside resort town about 3.5 hours away. A Grasshopper Self-Guided representative will meet with you onboard. The representative will deliver your equipment, conduct a briefing on the road and travel conditions in Thailand and explain how to use the technology provided. From there you can take a warm-up ride inland along secondary roads to get comfortable with your bike. Tonight, you can go to the night market in Hua Hin and enjoy some delicious Thai food!
This morning, try to check-out not too late as the activity at the end of the day closes at 3 pm. It's time to saddle up for the first leg and set off from Hua Hin on a short, coastal ride to Pranburi. There is a small section to ride along the main road before you turn off to pedal pleasant backroads with small and picturesque hills through the countryside and along the waterfront. Pranburi is a small beach town with some holiday homes and coconut farms. Our ride this morning will continue after Pranburi to reach Sam Roi Yot National Park, home to the unique Phraya Nakhon Cave. If you arrive on time for lunch, you can have it on the beach not far from the start of the short trek that takes you to the cave. Cycle back to the hotel after the visit, which is a lovely place to spend the night.
Special Information:
Get ready for a smooth start with a 46.1 km (29 mi) ride featuring a gentle 189m elevation gain throughout the day—ideal for warming up on mostly paved paths.
For those up for an adventure, there's an optional ride extending 14 km (8.7 mi) to the stunning Phraya Nakhon Cave. From there, enjoy a short 3 km (1.9 mi) hike to explore the cave's beauty.
After being woken up by the cool sea breeze, you’ll begin your second day of cycling in paradise. The riding today is on flat terrain, and by mid-morning you will pass through a particularly beautiful stretch where you will have towering limestone karsts off to your right and the sea to your left. The riding concludes in Prachuap Khiri Khan, home to a Royal Thai Air Force base that was invaded by the Japanese in WWII. You will get to see a colony of Langur monkeys and hike the mountain nearby! Your Self-guided App will hold all the recommendations for this day's picturesque ride. It’s up to you to choose which tickles your fancy.
Special Information:
Today's route takes you from Dolphin Bay to your hotel, covering 77.5 km (48.2 mi) with a 332m elevation gain throughout the day on paved paths. Enjoy plenty of opportunities to stop, take in the views, and savor local treats like coffee, exotic fruits, and refreshing Thai milk tea. Explore as much or as little as you like—our app will highlight the must-see spots, giving you the freedom to ride and explore at your own pace.
From Prachuap Khiri Khan, it is just a short ride to another point of interest, the Waghor Aquarium, which showcases the local aquatic life of this area. The cycling today features many turns and a variety of roads, making for an interesting day on the bike. There’s plenty of riding along the coastline, with just a short section on the highway to help you really appreciate those back-roads! Ban Krut is a serene little beachside town with just a handful of guesthouses and hotels.
Special Information:
You'll ride from hotel to hotel today, covering 64.3 km (39.9 mi) with a 378 m elevation gain throughout the day. Expect mostly paved paths with occasional unpaved sections.
From Ban Krut, you will ride along more beautiful coastlines and along some low hills through fruit and rubber plantations. You’ll park your bikes for the day in Bang Saphan Noi, a transit town where the south of Thailand begins. You will check in at a delightfully secluded resort for the evening - the perfect place for a rest with an ocean view.
Special Information:
Cycle to a beach resort in Saphan Noi, covering 57.7 km (35.8 mi) with a 265 m (869 ft) elevation gain throughout the day. It's the perfect day to rest, relax, and recharge before the longer rides ahead. Enjoy the coastal scenery and ease into your evening at the beachside resort.
Today is the longest day of cycling for this tour. Starting from the hotel, we spend the first part of the day riding along the shoreline with lovely ocean views. The scenery changes quite a bit throughout the day, as we pass through the deep green shade of rubber plantations, where we will stop and see the process of harvesting and drying the rubber. The ride concludes in Chumphon where you have reached your beach resort for the night.
Special Information:
Get ready for the longest and most challenging day on the tour, as you tackle 116.3 km (72.2 mi) with an elevation gain of 896m throughout the day. The route is mostly on paved paths, with a few unpaved sections. It's the last cycling day, so you can comfortably push your limits and finish strong!
This morning, after enjoying the last breakfast on the mainland, we will transfer you to the Pier in Chumphon where the boat for the islands awaits. Once you arrive at your destination, we can recommend an elegant resort or assist with further transport bookings if required. If you would prefer to fly back to Bangkok, there are flights from Chumphon and we can assist with the booking and further arrangements. Tour concludes.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
The beauty of a self-guided tour is that, though the exploration is on your own, we’ve taken care of all the details for you. This means that the route is planned out and programmed into a GPS system and app and your luggage will be waiting for you at one of our chosen accommodations. This bike exploration of Thailand combines all the fun of an independent adventure with our expertise and knowledge of the area, the must-see sights and best places to eat in order to make your experience more directed and enjoyable.
