Getting To & Around
Uttaradit

The train is the way to Uttaradit that many travelers like best, because the city has long been a junction on the Northern Line railway. Every Bangkok-Chiang Mai train passes through and stops at Uttaradit station, with options ranging from rapid and express trains up to special express trains with sleeper cars. Departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (Bang Sue), it takes roughly seven to nine hours heading north depending on the train. The clear advantage is that Uttaradit station sits right in the town center, in the Tha It area — step off the train and you can catch a songthaew or hired ride to your accommodation in just a short distance. It suits travelers who aren't in a hurry and want the journey itself to be part of the trip.

What makes the train especially appealing is the overnight sleeper service. Board in the evening in Bangkok, sleep through the night, and wake up in Uttaradit ready to start exploring — saving both a night's accommodation and travel time at once. Prices range from very cheap 3rd class fan-cooled seats up to more comfortable air-conditioned 2nd class sleepers. During long holidays and festivals, sleeper tickets sell out quickly, so book ahead through the railway's app or website. The limitation, as with every method, is that once you reach Uttaradit you'll still need to arrange onward transport. There are songthaews and hired rides in town and out to Laplae, but if you're heading to Sirikit Dam or Phu Soi Dao, you'll need to arrange a rental or chartered car in advance.

Buses and vans are a budget-friendly way to reach Uttaradit with more flexible scheduling than the train. Services depart from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok and arrive at Uttaradit's provincial bus terminal in town. Operators include both well-known major companies and affiliated lines, with both daytime and overnight departures. The ride takes roughly seven to eight hours; choosing an overnight departure means boarding in the evening and arriving in the morning, saving a night's accommodation just like the sleeper train. Seat classes range from standard air-conditioned up to VIP buses with seats that recline further and fewer seats per row for extra comfort. This suits travelers who missed booking a train ticket or want a departure time that better fits their plans.

One thing to keep in mind is that not everyone sleeps well on a long ride. If you choose an overnight departure, pick a more comfortable reclining seat class if your budget allows, and book ahead during winter or long holidays since seats fill up fast. Vans may be a bit quicker but have tighter seating and less legroom, which can be uncomfortable for taller travelers or those with a lot of luggage. As with the train, once you reach Uttaradit you'll still need onward transport — songthaews and hired rides cover the town and Laplae, but far-flung spots like Sirikit Dam or Phu Soi Dao require a rental or chartered car, so plan this in advance before you set off.

If you're planning to see all of Uttaradit's highlights, having a vehicle is almost essential, because the province's main attractions are spread far apart and public transport barely reaches them. Laplae town is about eight kilometers from the city — a hired ride still works there — but Sirikit Dam in Tha Pla district is dozens of kilometers away, and Phu Soi Dao with the Giant Teak Tree National Park in Nam Pat district is over a hundred kilometers further along mountain roads. With a car, you can go anywhere on your own schedule without waiting. There are two options: the first is driving yourself from Bangkok, a distance of roughly four hundred eighty-five kilometers taking about six to seven hours, or if coming from Phitsanulok it's only about an hour and a half — ideal for travelers who want their own vehicle for the whole trip. The second is taking the train or bus first and then renting a car in town, charged by the day plus fuel; the more people in your group, the cheaper it works out per person. If you'd rather not drive yourself, chartered cars with a driver are also available to take you around the main sights.

One thing to be upfront about is that the distances between attractions really are significant, so plan to split your trip across separate days — one day for Laplae and the town, another for Sirikit Dam, and a full day set aside for Phu Soi Dao and the Giant Teak Tree, which are furthest away. The roads into Nam Pat district and up to Phu Soi Dao are winding mountain roads that get steep in places. If you're prone to motion sickness, take medication before the climb and sit in the front seat. Make sure the car is in good condition with working brakes and tires, and fill up on fuel before entering far-out districts, since gas stations along the way are scarce. Remember too that Phu Soi Dao National Park is only open from 1 July to 10 January — reaching the pine meadow still requires hiking and often a porter service, so check the park's conditions before you go. If renting a car, photograph or video the vehicle before pickup and choose full insurance coverage. Anyone driving a long distance from Bangkok should take turns driving and stop to rest periodically.

For travelers without a car who only want to see the town center and nearby Laplae, songthaews and hired rides in town are a workable option. Local songthaews run within Uttaradit town for a fare of just a few tens of baht per ride, convenient for reaching the market, the Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Monument, in-town temples, or residential areas. Laplae town, known for its legends, the Long-Lin durian variety, and its old-town atmosphere, is about eight kilometers from the city center — a hired ride or songthaew charter gets you there in no time — but be sure to agree on the price and set a clear pickup time for the return trip, since return rides from Laplae aren't frequent.

The limitation to be upfront about is that this option only covers short distances. Uttaradit has almost no Grab or metered taxis you can hail on demand, and songthaew schedules aren't as frequent as in big cities — miss a run and you may have a long wait. Far-flung attractions like Sirikit Dam in Tha Pla district, or Phu Soi Dao and the Giant Teak Tree in Nam Pat district, are dozens to over a hundred kilometers away on roads that public transport barely reaches, so you can't get there by in-town songthaew or hired ride. You'll need a separate rental or chartered car for the days you head out to those spots. In short, local transport suits sightseeing in town and a stop in Laplae, but should be paired with a rental or chartered car if you want to see the whole province.