🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
From Bangkok, Chanthaburi is about a 3-4 hour drive, and from Chanthaburi town it's only another hour or so to Trat town along Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3), a distance of roughly 70 km. The whole loop comes to around 330-400 km. A private car makes this trip far easier, because the heart of it is driving the coastal road that public transport simply can't reach. Day one covers Chanthaburi's old town, day two follows the coast into Trat, and day three picks up Laem Ngop, Black Sand Beach and some local gifts to take home before you head back.
Know the route before you set off
The prettiest stretch is Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, the long coastal road of the east, passing Chao Lao Beach, Laem Sadet and the Nern Nang Phaya viewpoint before it loops back onto the main Sukhumvit Road to Trat. If you let GPS take an inland shortcut, it may push you onto the highway and you'll miss the sea views entirely. Set 'Nern Nang Phaya Viewpoint' as your destination first, then set the next leg to Trat.
The 3-Day Route at a Glance
- Day 1 — Chanthaburi old town Chanthaboon riverside community, the Cathedral, the gem market, then overnight in Chanthaburi town
- Day 2 — Phlio Waterfall + coastal drive into Trat Phlio Waterfall in the morning, the Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit coastal road past Nern Nang Phaya, seafood at Laem Sing, then cross into Trat and stay in town
- Day 3 — Laem Ngop + Black Sand Beach Ban Nam Chiao, Laem Ngop, Black Sand Beach, pick up gifts, then drive home
Book the activities in your Chanthaburi 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 — Chanthaburi Old Town
On the first day, cover everything in Chanthaburi town first. All three stops are close enough to walk between, so there's no rush to drive off anywhere — save your energy for tomorrow's long coastal drive.
Chanthaboon Riverside, the Cathedral, the Gem Market
Time your day around the gem market
If you want to see the gem market truly busy, line up your first day with a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, since it's quiet on weekdays. The riverside community and the Cathedral are open every day, so you can visit those whenever.
Day 2 — Phlio Waterfall, the Coast, into Trat
Today is the highlight of the trip. Catch Phlio Waterfall in the morning, then follow the Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit coastal road past Nern Nang Phaya before turning onto Sukhumvit Road to cross into Trat in the afternoon. It's the day with the most driving, so leave room to stop for photos and seafood.
Phlio Waterfall → Nern Nang Phaya → Trat
About the driving time on day two
Today is the most driving of the trip, and if you leave too late you may reach Trat after dark. We'd suggest leaving Chanthaburi before noon, which leaves room to stop for coastal photos and seafood and still get into Trat right around the cool of the evening.
Day 3 — Laem Ngop, Black Sand Beach, Gifts
On the last day, take in the charm of the Trat side before heading back: the Ban Nam Chiao community, Laem Ngop (the gateway to Koh Chang), and Black Sand Beach, which is hard to find anywhere else. Then pick up some gifts and drive home — Trat to Bangkok is about 315 km, roughly a 4.5-5 hour drive.
Ban Nam Chiao → Laem Ngop → Black Sand Beach → home
Tweak the Plan to Your Style
Only 2 days, 1 night
Combine Chanthaburi's old town with Phlio Waterfall on the first day, then follow the coast into Trat for Ban Nam Chiao and Black Sand Beach on day two. Just one night, in either Chanthaburi or Trat.
Add on Koh Chang
Trat is the gateway to Koh Chang. With 4-5 days, take the ferry from Laem Ngop to stay on Koh Chang, swim at Klong Plu Waterfall, or carry on to Koh Kood and Koh Mak where the water is clearer, then loop back.
For fruit lovers
If you come in April-June, work fruit orchards into the route. Both Chanthaburi and Trat are durian country — durian, mangosteen, rambutan — and there are several orchard fruit buffets along the way.
Rough Budget Per Person (3 Days, 2 Nights)
- 2 nights' accommodation — 1 night in Chanthaburi + 1 in Trat, from around 1,200-2,000 THB per night for a mid-range place; split it between two of you
- 6-7 meals — around 900-1,500 THB, depending on how hard you go on the seafood
- Phlio Waterfall entry — around 40 THB for adults, 20 THB for children
- Fuel + tolls — the Bangkok-Chanthaburi-Trat-return route runs around 1,500-2,200 THB per car, split among everyone
- Gifts — Chanthaburi gems, Laem Ngop shrimp paste, seasonal fruit, up to you
- A mid-range total comes to around 2,500-4,000 THB per person (driving with 2-4 people makes it cheaper still)
Can You Do It Without a Car?
You can, but you'll miss the best part of the trip — the coastal road. Take a minivan or bus from Bangkok to Chanthaburi and get off in town, where the old town and gem market are within walking distance of each other. From there, catch a Chanthaburi-Trat minivan into Trat town, then use songthaews or motorbike taxis to reach Laem Ngop and Ban Nam Chiao. Phlio Waterfall and Nern Nang Phaya are off the regular bus routes, so you'd need to charter a vehicle or rent a motorbike. Without a car, this trip suits people who care more about the old towns and the food than the coastal sea views.
Best timing + driving safely
The best season for an easy, clear-skied coastal drive is November-February, when it's cool and the coastal road photographs beautifully. April-June is fruit season, when Chanthaburi's durian, mangosteen and rambutan are at their peak. The rainy season, May-October, brings frequent rain and the coastal road's tight curves get slippery — drive slowly, watch for cars pulled over for photos, and fill up before the coastal stretch since stations are far apart.
Want a seaside hotel sorted before you set off?
See Chanthaburi hotels →