🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you want a trip near Bangkok that won't drain your wallet, Paet Riu genuinely delivers. The best part is you don't need a car: just take the Eastern Line train from Hua Lamphong straight to Chachoengsao station. The fare is cheaper than a single cup of coffee, and the main sights — temples and markets — are an easy songthaew or motorbike-taxi ride apart within town. Both temples are free to enter, market food starts at well under 50 THB, and you can do the whole trip for a couple hundred baht per person.
Why Paet Riu is such great value on a budget
Three things make this trip genuinely cheap. First, it's only just over 60 km from Bangkok — about an hour and a half by train. Second, the railway station is right in the town centre, so a ride to Wat Sothon costs only a few baht. And third, the main attractions are temples and markets that are free to enter, so you're only paying for food and local transport — no pricey admission tickets like a theme park or museum.
- Cheap to get there — a third-class train from Hua Lamphong/Lat Krabang to Chachoengsao costs around 10–15 THB, far less than a van or driving yourself.
- Free temples — Wat Sothon and Wat Saman Rattanaram don't charge admission; you only pay for flowers and incense if you choose to make an offering.
- Cheap market food — Ban Mai is a 100-year-old market where food starts at well under 50 THB, with khao pak mo noodles from 40 THB a plate.
- No overnight needed — you can do it as a single day trip and skip accommodation entirely; if you'd rather take it slow, save some budget for one night.
Book the activities in your Chachoengsao trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
How to get to Paet Riu by train
The Eastern Line runs from Bangkok station (Hua Lamphong) through Makkasan and Lat Krabang to Chachoengsao Junction, with several trains a day — ordinary, rapid, and express services. The third-class commuter trains have the cheapest fares and suit a budget trip best. If you live on the east side of Bangkok, boarding at Lat Krabang is closer and saves time.
- Where to board — Bangkok station (Hua Lamphong) for commuter trains, or board at Lat Krabang if you're on the east side, which is closer.
- How long it takes — Hua Lamphong to Chachoengsao is about 1.5 hours; Lat Krabang to Chachoengsao is about 40–50 min.
- Ticket price — third class runs about 10–15 THB per trip; buy your ticket at the station counter, no advance booking needed.
- Check the timetable first — schedules can change, so check the latest at the State Railway site (railway.co.th) or snap a photo of the station timetable so you don't miss your train back.
Plan your return train carefully
Evening trains back to Bangkok are limited. Before you leave Chachoengsao station in the morning, take a photo of the return timetable so you can pace your day and don't risk missing the last train home.
Getting around town on the cheap
Once you arrive at Chachoengsao station, the sights are in different corners of town. The cheapest way around is the yellow songthaews that run fixed routes for just a few baht. Wat Saman is a bit outside town, so if you're in a group it's better value to charter a songthaew or split a motorbike taxi than to call a Grab.
- Station to Wat Sothon — a yellow songthaew costs about 8–10 THB and takes roughly 10 min.
- Wat Sothon to Ban Mai Market — a short hop by songthaew or motorbike taxi for a few tens of baht.
- Getting to Wat Saman Rattanaram — it's about 20–30 min outside town; if you're in a group, chartering a songthaew and splitting the cost is good value, or skip it for next time if you're on a tight budget.
A budget plan you can actually follow
We've laid out two options to suit your time and budget. The first is a single-day trip, out in the morning and back in the evening, with maximum savings. The second adds one overnight stay for anyone who wants to take it slow and catch the morning market the next day. One key point: Ban Mai Market only opens on weekends and public holidays, so if you want the full market experience, you'll need to go on a day off.
Morning out, evening back — maximum savings
Option: stay one night, take it slow
The real budget: what a full day actually costs
Here's an estimated per-person budget for a one-day return trip. These are rough figures and may shift depending on how much you eat and how many people split the rides, but the overall picture is clear: a full day in Paet Riu can genuinely be done for a couple hundred baht per person.
- Round-trip train — about 20–30 THB (third class, 10–15 THB each way).
- Songthaew/motorbike taxi in town — about 40–80 THB, depending on how many stops and whether you charter.
- Food for the day — about 120–200 THB (khao pak mo noodles, sweets, coffee, market snacks).
- Flowers and incense — about 30–60 THB, as you wish.
- Approximate total per person — about 250–400 THB for a day trip with no overnight stay.
How to push the budget even lower
If you're in a group, chartering a songthaew and splitting it beats calling rides one by one, and eating at market stalls instead of air-conditioned sit-down places saves more. As for offerings, a small set is plenty — you don't need the big one to earn the same merit.
Cheap eats to try at Ban Mai Market
The heart of this budget trip is Ban Mai Market, a 100-year-old wooden market on the Bang Pakong River. Food here is friendly on the wallet, starting at well under 50 THB, and you can graze your way through savoury and sweet Thai-Chinese dishes. These are the eats people come here specifically for.
Khao pak mo (steamed rice noodles)
Paet Riu's signature dish — thin wrappers with a generous filling. Famous market stalls offer several fillings; from 40 THB a plate, or a set around 70 THB with several pieces and broth.
Kuychai & charcoal-oven sweets
Fragrant Thai sweets baked in a charcoal oven, plus thin-skinned kuychai dumplings packed with filling. A few baht apiece, perfect for grazing as you walk.
Old-style riverside coffee
A long-running coffee shop in the market, brewed the old-fashioned way. Sip it while watching the Bang Pakong River for a few tens of baht a glass.
Tips to get the most for your money
- Go on a Saturday or Sunday, because Ban Mai Market only opens on weekends. On a weekday you'll only get the temples and miss the food highlights.
- Reach Wat Sothon before 10am to avoid the crowds and harsh sun, and get nicer photos of the ordination hall.
- Mango season runs roughly March–May, when Paet Riu is known for its nam dok mai mangoes — great to take home as gifts at orchard prices.
- Bring water and a hat or umbrella, since the temple and market walks involve a fair bit of sun, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- If you have budget to spare and want to keep going, there are cheap hotels in town for one night, so you can take the next morning slow.
See budget stays and all the things to do in Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao travel guide →