🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The good thing about these two provinces is how close they are. Chachoengsao sits just above Chonburi, and driving from central Paet Riu down to Bang Saen takes about an hour if you go via the motorway. That makes for a trip that flows smoothly, with no doubling back. Day one covers everything in Paet Riu, both Luang Pho Sothon and Wat Saman on the Bang Pakong River, then you drift down to the sea and stay overnight at Bang Saen. Day two is all about the coast.
This trip suits people with a car, since the sights are spread out and hopping between provinces by public transport is a lot more of a hassle. You can still do it by van or coach without your own car, but driving is by far the easiest. We'll start with the route, then go into the day-by-day plan.
Driving route: Chachoengsao to Chonburi
There are two main routes from central Chachoengsao down to Chonburi. The popular one takes Highway 314 (Chachoengsao–Bang Pakong) to link up with Motorway 7 (Bangkok–Chonburi), then runs straight down to Bang Saen. This route is fast with few traffic lights. The other goes via Phanat Nikhom into central Chonburi city: slower, but you get the small-town feel along the way.
- Motorway route (fastest) — leave Paet Riu on Highway 314 toward Bang Pakong, join Motorway 7 heading for Chonburi, and exit at the Chonburi/Bang Saen toll. Roughly 1 hour from the city, with tolls in the tens of baht.
- Phanat Nikhom route (for the scenery) — take Highway 315 through Phanat Nikhom into central Chonburi. About 1.5 hours, with a chance to stop at Phanat Nikhom market or a roadside restaurant along the way.
- Long weekends — Motorway 7 gets very busy during holidays, especially the inbound Chonburi–Pattaya direction. Leaving early helps you dodge the worst of it.
- Fuel and rest stops — there are gas stations and rest areas along the motorway before the Chonburi toll, handy for the restroom and a quick stock-up before you reach town.
Pick a base that matches your plan
If you're staying in Bang Saen, choose a place in the Bang Saen beach or Wonnapha beach zone so you can walk straight down to the water and reach the seafood restaurants easily. If you want it quieter, the Bang Phra or Ang Sila areas work too, but you'll have a slightly longer drive to the beach.
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.
Day 1 — Temples in Paet Riu, then down to the sea
Day one covers all of Chachoengsao before you cross provinces. Start early at Luang Pho Sothon while the crowds are thin, then head to Wat Saman Rattanaram for the pink reclining Ganesha. Have lunch by the Bang Pakong River, then drive down to Bang Saen in the afternoon in time for sunset on the beach.
Temples in Paet Riu + drive down to Bang Saen beach
Bang Saen gets crowded on weekends
On weekends and long holidays Bang Saen beach is packed and parking is hard to find. If you're coming on a weekend, check in at your stay first and walk down to the beach so you don't have to circle for a spot. On weekdays the beach is far more open.
Day 2 — A full beach day: Khao Sam Muk and Ang Sila
Day two is all about the sea and the views. Start at the Khao Sam Muk viewpoint, where you can see both Bang Saen beach and the Ang Sila coast on either side. Stop at the Institute of Marine Science if you've got kids, then finish at Ang Sila to buy fresh and dried seafood to take home before driving back in the afternoon.
Khao Sam Muk views + seafood at Ang Sila
The sights worth catching on this side of Chonburi
The Bang Saen–Ang Sila side of Chonburi is an easy seaside escape near Bangkok: you get the full beach atmosphere without having to take a boat over to an island. These are the stops worth making on this trip.
Bang Saen Beach
A long sandy beach you can swim at, with deck chairs to rent by the shore and seafood restaurants lined up along it. Great for the evening breeze and watching the sunset.
Khao Sam Muk
A low viewpoint looking out over Bang Saen and Ang Sila on either side, with the Chao Mae Khao Sam Muk shrine to make a wish. Watch out for the monkeys.
Ang Sila
An old fishing district with a fish pier and a market for fresh and dried seafood. Known for granite stone mortars, it's the town's go-to souvenir spot.
Wat Khao Bang Sai
An old hillside temple with a white Buddha's Footprint pavilion and a viewing terrace overlooking the community and the coastal bridge. An easy stop on the way to Ang Sila.
What to eat throughout this trip
The two provinces have clearly different food. Paet Riu is strong on local dishes and souvenirs, while the coastal side of Chonburi is all fresh seafood. Come hungry, because several of these are full meals.
Sea bass fried in fish sauce / steamed with lime
A seafood dish the beachside spots in Bang Saen and Ang Sila do well. The fish is fresh and firm; order it crispy-fried in fish sauce, or steamed with lime for a sharper kick.
Boiled prawns and blood cockles, Ang Sila
Ang Sila is a source of fresh seafood, with spots boiling blood cockles and grilling prawns straight off the fish pier. Eat them with a punchy seafood dipping sauce.
Paet Riu noodles
Chachoengsao is known for its noodles, easy to find around the in-town markets and the station area. Good for breakfast or before you leave Paet Riu.
Nong Mon sticky rice in bamboo
A Chonburi souvenir staple. The Nong Mon area on the way to Bang Saen has khao lam (bamboo sticky rice), khanom chak, Chinese sausage and dried goods from many vendors. Stop and stock up before you head home.
Paet Riu mango
Chachoengsao is mango country. In mango season you'll find both fresh fruit and processed versions, with sweet fish-sauce dip ready to go — a seasonal souvenir.
Paet Riu mu yo
A Paet Riu souvenir staple that people never stop buying. Find it at souvenir shops in town and in front of Wat Sothon.
Rough costs for 2 days, 1 night
The budget for this trip is flexible, depending on your accommodation and group size. Splitting a car and room among more people brings the per-person cost down. Here's a rough per-person framework for those driving themselves.
- Fuel + tolls — round trip from Bangkok plus driving around the area, roughly 600–900 THB per car, split among your group.
- Beachfront stay in Bang Saen — roughly 800–2,500 THB per night, depending on the hotel level and whether it's a holiday.
- Seafood meals — a main meal by the sea runs about 250–500 THB per person; sharing dishes brings it down.
- Offerings + entry fees — temple offerings in the low hundreds, and the Institute of Marine Science has an entry fee. Budget a few hundred per person.
- Souvenirs — mango, mu yo, Nong Mon sticky rice, dried seafood from Ang Sila, however much you carry back.
Prep before a cross-province trip
- Dress modestly for the temples — day one takes in Wat Sothon and Wat Saman, so bring a top with sleeves and knee-covering pants or a skirt.
- Book your stay ahead on holidays — Bang Saen fills up fast on weekends and long holidays. Booking early gets you a better rate and location.
- Carry cash — small seafood spots, the Ang Sila market and many offering stalls still take cash mainly.
- Watch the monkeys around Khao Sam Muk — don't wave a bag of food or snacks around, and keep valuables tucked away.
- Check what's in season — Paet Riu mango is seasonal, while fresh seafood is available year-round, though during the monsoon the waves pick up and beachside restaurants may close on some days.
- Allow time for the drive back — Sunday evening sees heavy return traffic to Bangkok on the motorway. Leaving in the early afternoon flows better than waiting until evening.
Wondering where to stay overnight by Bang Saen beach? Check the hotels before you lock in the trip.
See the Top 10 Chachoengsao Hotels →