π Updated 21 Jun 2026
Kamphaeng Phet and Phitsanulok are an easy pair to visit together. The distance between the two cities is roughly 100β110 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes of driving along Highway 12 (the TakβPhitsanulok road). It's a straight, easy run with few sharp bends, ideal if you want both a history fix and a temple visit in one trip.
This plan starts in Kamphaeng Phet first, because its highlight is a historical park you walk through in the open sun, so it's best to catch the cooler morning hours. Then you move over to sleep on the Phitsanulok side for one night and wake up early to see Phra Buddha Chinnarat before the tour buses arrive.
The 2-day, 1-night trip at a glance
- Day 1 β Explore the old town of Kamphaeng Phet: Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Chang Rop, the Arunyik forest-monastery zone, then a bowl of noodles and some egg bananas before hitting the road.
- Evening, Day 1 β Drive about 1.5 hours into Phitsanulok, check in to a riverside hotel on the Nan River, and stroll the riverfront after dark.
- Day 2 β Pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Yai in the morning, continue to Wat Chulamani or Khao Samo Khaeng, then eat the famous "dangling-leg" noodles before heading home.
Before you set off
Both cities get hot at midday, so pack a hat and water, and bring a shawl or knee-covering trousers for entering the Phra Buddha Chinnarat hall β it's a temple that takes the dress code fairly seriously.
Book the activities in your Kamphaeng Phet 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 β prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 1 β World Heritage Kamphaeng Phet
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park has been a World Heritage Site since 1991, inscribed together with Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai. The draw is its reddish-brown laterite ruins, still remarkably intact, scattered across the old walled city and the Arunyik forest-monastery zone on the hills to the north. It's open daily 08:30β16:30; entry is 10 THB for Thais and 30 THB for foreigners. If you want to drive into the Arunyik zone, there's a small extra vehicle fee.
Walk the old town, then move to Phitsanulok
On where to stay
Phitsanulok has city hotels across a range of budgets, from riverside guesthouses to larger hotels near the train station. If you're set on an early temple visit, choosing somewhere close to Wat Yai means under a ten-minute drive.
Day 2 β Phra Buddha Chinnarat, Phitsanulok
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, which everyone just calls Wat Yai, enshrines Phra Buddha Chinnarat, a Sukhothai-era Buddha in the subduing-Mara posture that many regard as the most beautiful in Thailand. The flaming halo around the image and the carved arch behind it are where people come to pay respects and take photos the most. The temple opens early, around 06:00; aim to arrive before 09:00, before the tour buses reach it, so you can pay your respects in peace.
Wat Yai, then catch the sights around town
Food stops you shouldn't miss on this trip
The two cities eat well in different ways. Kamphaeng Phet shines with bold-flavored noodles and egg bananas, while Phitsanulok is known for its riverside "dangling-leg" noodles and food along the Nan River. These are the spots locals actually go to.
Dangling-Leg Noodles by the Nan (Jae Daeng)
A legendary shop beside Wat Yai where you sit with your legs dangling over the Nan River. The standout is the rich, Sukhothai-style tom yum noodles, plus nam tok mu. The river-view setting is a Phitsanulok signature that everyone passing through ends up trying.
Kamphaeng Phet Noodles (municipal area)
Thin rice noodles in a thick, bold broth with braised pork and meatballs β the city's signature noodle, found at several shops around the Kamphaeng Phet municipal area. A good fill-up before you set off.
Kamphaeng Phet Egg Bananas
The province's signature treat β small, dense fruit that's sweet and fragrant. Eat them fresh, or buy candied or crisped egg bananas to take home. Find them at souvenir shops along the main roads.
Vegetarian Food on Khao Samo Khaeng
A vegetarian eatery up on Khao Samo Khaeng, on the Phitsanulok side. Easy food at easy prices, a good stop on the way up to pay respects and take in the city view.
Riverside Restaurants on the Nan
In the evening, the Nan riverfront in Phitsanulok city has restaurants and snacks with a cool breeze. A good pick for dinner on the first night after checking in.
The route and getting around
- Self-drive β by far the easiest for this trip, since the ruins are spread out and you're switching cities. Take Highway 12 to link the two provinces.
- Bus / minivan β there are daily services between Kamphaeng Phet and Phitsanulok, but once you reach each city you'll need a local ride from there. Good for those who don't drive.
- Inside Kamphaeng Phet park β the city zone is walkable, but the Arunyik zone is farther out, so driving or renting a bicycle in is more comfortable than walking in the sun.
- Around Phitsanulok city β Wat Yai, the Nan riverfront, and the markets are close together; you can walk or take a city tuk-tuk.
Pacing the time right
If you only have one day, trim it to Kamphaeng Phet in the morning and drive over to see Phra Buddha Chinnarat in the afternoon β but it'll feel a bit rushed. Spending one night in Phitsanulok lets you do an early temple visit without fighting the tour crowds for space, which is well worth it.
See recommended hotels in Kamphaeng Phet before you start the trip
See Top 10 Kamphaeng Phet Hotels β