🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The big plus with Chachoengsao is how close it is — roughly an hour from Bangkok by car or train and you're in the city. Most people come for the day and head back the same evening, no overnight needed. The one thing worth planning before you leave is that the well-known temples and markets are scattered in different directions: some sit right in town, others are 20–40 km out. If you don't have your own car, sort out how you'll connect between them in advance.
Getting from Bangkok to Chachoengsao — which option?
There are three main ways: train, van, and driving yourself. Each suits a different kind of traveler. The short version: if you don't have a car and only want to see the in-town sights, the train is the cheapest and the most fun. If you plan to hit several temples outside the city, driving yourself or hiring a car is far easier.
Eastern Line train
Departs Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) with several services a day, the first around 05:10. They run throughout the day, more frequently in the morning and evening, and take about an hour to reach Chachoengsao station. Third-class fares are dirt cheap — just tens of baht — so this is the most enjoyable option for anyone in no rush. From the station you can walk or hop a songthaew on to Wat Sothon.
Ekkamai vans
These leave from Ekkamai bus terminal, with vans running from before dawn (around 04:00) until about 20:30. The frequency is good, so you won't wait long, and the motorway run takes a little over an hour, dropping you in central Chachoengsao. Worth it if you live on the Sukhumvit side or want to set off earlier than the train allows.
Driving yourself
The smoothest route is Motorway 7, then Highway 314 into Chachoengsao — about 62 km from Bangkok. The other common option is Highway 304 through Min Buri, around 75 km. Having your own car is by far the most flexible, since you can cover every temple and market in a single day without waiting around for connections.
Straight talk
Train timetables change from time to time, and some services may be temporarily suspended. Check the latest times on the State Railway of Thailand app or website before you go so you don't miss your train.
Once you're in town, how do you get around?
Central Chachoengsao is walkable enough and has scheduled songthaews running, with fares around 10–15 THB a ride. Wat Sothon and Ban Mai Market are both in the city, a short hop from the train station — a quick songthaew or motorbike taxi gets you there. Ride-hailing apps work to a point, but there aren't as many cars as in Bangkok, so on weekdays you sometimes wait a while.
- Scheduled songthaews — run around the city and out to the edges, fares roughly 10–15 THB, good for short in-town hops
- Motorbike taxis — found at the train station and markets, handy for the short ride to Wat Sothon or Ban Mai Market; always agree the price before you get on
- Ride-hailing apps — available in the city but fewer cars than Bangkok; expect a wait on weekdays, so leave a buffer
- Chartered songthaew/van — the easiest way to reach several spots outside town; agree a per-trip price with a driver at the station or in front of Wat Sothon
How to get to Wat Sothon
Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan (home of Luang Pho Sothon) is the number-one stop for anyone visiting Paet Riu, and the easiest to reach since it's right in the city on the bank of the Bang Pakong River. If you come by train, get off at Chachoengsao station and take a short songthaew or motorbike-taxi ride and you're there. By van, you land in town and connect the same way. Driving yourself, there's parking on site — but on long weekends and festival days it gets very busy, so allow time to find a spot.
Tip
Wat Sothon and Ban Mai Market are close together, so you can easily pair them in a half day — pay your respects in the morning, then wander the market for food mid-morning.
How to get to Ban Mai 100-Year Market
Ban Mai Market is an old riverside market more than a hundred years old, and it only really comes alive on weekends. It sits in the city, not far from Wat Sothon, so you can take a songthaew or motorbike taxi from the train station. Driving yourself, there's parking nearby, but Saturday and Sunday get crowded and spots are tight. Go in the morning — it's easier to walk and the food stalls are all open.
Plan your day
Ban Mai Market runs Saturday–Sunday only. If you come on a weekday it's very quiet, so save the market for a weekend trip.
How to get to Wat Saman Rattanaram
Wat Saman Rattanaram (home of the giant pink reclining Ganesha) is out of town toward Bang Khla district, a fair way from the city. This is the main reason a lot of people choose to drive themselves or hire a car, since there's little public transport going straight there. Without your own vehicle, the realistic option is to charter a songthaew or car from the city for the round trip — agree a per-trip price with the driver — or rent a car from Bangkok, which works out better if you're visiting several temples.
- Own car / rental — the easiest and best value; drive on from the city to Bang Khla and take in Wat Hong Thong and Bang Khla Floating Market on the same route
- Chartered car / songthaew — if you came by train or van and want Wat Saman, agree a per-trip charter from town; better value split among a group
- Join a group tour — on weekends there are one-day merit-making tours running Wat Sothon–Wat Saman–Wat Hong Thong, good if you'd rather not drive
How to get to Bang Pakong / dolphin-watching boats
Bang Pakong district sits at the mouth of the Bang Pakong River before it meets the Gulf of Thailand, and it's the spot for seasonal dolphin-watching boats (your chances are better from late in the year into the early months). Bang Pakong is right by the motorway, so driving yourself is easiest — coming from Bangkok you can stop here before heading into the city. For the boat trip, book with an operator ahead of time, especially on busy holidays.
Honest note on the dolphins
Seeing dolphins depends on the season and water conditions — there's no guarantee you'll spot them on every trip. Check the timing with the operator before you book so you're not disappointed.
Car hire vs driving yourself vs public transport
Train/van, sightseeing in town only
Cheap and no parking worries — you can cover Wat Sothon, Ban Mai Market and the old town, connecting on short songthaew rides. Good for a relaxed pace with no rush.
Car hire/self-drive, multiple temples
Best value if you want Wat Saman, Wat Hong Thong, Bang Khla and Bang Pakong in one day, with no waiting for connections. Ideal for a group or family.
Chartered car locally
The middle path — arrive by train/van, then charter a songthaew or car from town to reach the out-of-town temples. Good value when split among several people.
Sample one-day plan with no car
By train, sightseeing in town
By rental car, temple run out of town
Plan a full day in Chachoengsao
See the Chachoengsao guide →