🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Lampang sits right on the northern route, so you have plenty of options. If you like the atmosphere and aren't in a rush, the train is the popular pick — Nakhon Lampang railway station is a beautiful old wooden building in the city centre, and you can walk straight to your hotel once you arrive. If you want to get there faster, plenty of buses run direct from Bangkok. And if you want to explore the outlying spots like Chae Son or the elephant centre, driving yourself or renting a car is the most flexible by far.
Getting to Lampang by train
Every train on the Bangkok–Chiang Mai northern line stops at Nakhon Lampang railway station. The station itself is an old Lanna–European wooden building that's lovely for photos, sitting in the Sob Tui side of town with easy onward transfers to hotels. The Khun Tan–Lampang stretch runs through mountains and the Khun Tan Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in Thailand, and the views on both sides are gorgeous — especially early morning.
The most popular service is the Uttaravithi special express (trains 9/10), a new air-conditioned sleeper. It leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in the evening around 18:10 and reaches Lampang in the pre-dawn to early morning hours, roughly 10–11 hours in total — sleep on board and you wake up right as you arrive. There are also other express and rapid trains at lower fares to suit your budget.
Uttaravithi special express (new sleeper)
New air-conditioned sleeper carriages, clean and comfortable to sit or sleep in. Best taken as an evening-to-morning run so you wake up in Lampang. Seats fill fast on weekends, so book ahead.
Express/rapid, 2nd class AC
Cheaper than the new sleeper, with both daytime and overnight runs. Good for travellers on a budget who want to catch the mountain views on the Khun Tan stretch.
3rd class fan
The cheapest option, good for backpackers or anyone who wants the classic old-school train experience. But it takes a long time and the seats are hard, so it's not ideal for an overnight long haul.
Booking train tickets
Book online through the State Railway's D-Ticket (dticket.railway.co.th) several days ahead. Sleepers sell out very fast over long weekends, so if you've made up your mind, book the moment it opens — don't wait to buy at the station.
Getting to Lampang by bus
The bus is a little faster than the train and there are plenty of departures. Buses run direct from Mo Chit 2 bus terminal (Bangkok) to Lampang bus terminal, taking around 8–9 hours. Several operators cover this route, including Sombat Tour and the state-run Transport Co. (BKS), plus buses that carry on to Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai and stop in Lampang along the way.
- Overnight buses — the most popular. They leave in the evening and reach Lampang in the morning, saving you a night's accommodation. Around ฿430–650 depending on seat class (first-class special / VIP).
- Daytime buses — fewer of these, but good if you want to see the scenery along the way and dislike riding overnight.
- From Chiang Mai — Lampang is only about 100 km from Chiang Mai, with frequent minivans and buses taking roughly 1.5–2 hours. Easy to add Lampang before or after Chiang Mai.
Driving yourself
Driving from Bangkok, take Highway 1 (Phahonyothin) straight north through Nakhon Sawan–Kamphaeng Phet–Tak, then into Lampang — about 600 km in total, roughly 7–8 hours including stops. The Thoen–Lampang stretch climbs through some winding mountain road, so daytime driving is safer. Having your own car really pays off if you're set on Chae Son, the elephant centre or Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, since those sit outside town and aren't easy to reach by public transport.
Car rental in Lampang
There are rental services around the bus terminal and in town — handy if you arrived by train or bus and want a car for exploring further out. Prices start around ฿800–1,200 per day depending on the model.
Motorbike rental
In-town shops have options at about ฿200–300 per day, nimble for getting around the city and nearby temples. But Chae Son is a long mountain ride, so only go that far if you're confident on a bike.
Getting around town by horse cart
Lampang is the only province in Thailand that still runs horse carts for visitors in town — which is how it earned the nickname the city of horse carts. The carts seat 2–4 people, and the driver takes you through the old quarter, past the old wooden houses along Thipchang Road, the Wang River, and the old commercial district. It's a slow, easygoing way to see the city, and the atmosphere is wonderful — especially in the morning or evening when the sun isn't harsh.
Short city loop
Circles the old quarter near the pick-up point, passing the wooden houses and Thipchang Road. Takes about 20 minutes — good for a first try or if you're short on time.
Long city loop
Builds on the short loop, adding the Wang riverside, the market and the clock tower. About 40 minutes, so you see more of the city.
Hire by the hour
Tell the driver to stop at temples, Ratsadaphisek Bridge or ceramic shops as you like. Good if you want to sightsee properly and shoot photos at several spots.
Where to catch a horse cart
The main pick-up points are in front of the old city hall and outside the historic hotels in town, such as Thipchang and Wienglakor. The prices above are the rates set by the horse-cart association, but always agree on the price and the route clearly before you get on. During festival crowds you may have to wait in line.
Songthaews and getting around the city
In central Lampang, blue songthaews run along the main routes, and fares are very cheap — starting around ฿10–15 a ride for in-town distances. To go somewhere further out or charter one, you can agree on a price. Lampang isn't big, and many spots in the old quarter and Kad Kong Ta are within easy walking distance of each other. Ride-hailing apps work too, but there aren't as many drivers as in bigger cities, so build in some waiting time.
- Blue songthaews — run around the city from about ฿10–15. Flag one down along the route and tell the driver where you're getting off.
- On foot — Kad Kong Ta, the old quarter and the Wang riverside are close together, pleasant to wander by day or in the evening.
- Motorbike/car rental — the most flexible if you're heading out of town or to temples further away.
Getting to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center and Chae Son
The question people ask most is how to reach these two without a car. The Thai Elephant Conservation Center is on the Lampang–Chiang Mai road in Hang Chat district, about 30 km from town. Chae Son National Park is in Mueang Pan district, about 70 km out — hot springs and waterfalls where people go to soak in the mineral water. The two are in opposite directions, so it's easier to plan them on separate days.
Lampang–Chae Son bus (to Chae Son)
A public bus you board on Talat Kao Road in town, running all the way to the Chae Son park headquarters. The fare is around ฿50, with daytime departures, but runs are limited — check the return times carefully before you set out.
Charter a songthaew/private car
The most flexible — covers both the elephant centre and Chae Son on your own schedule. Good for groups splitting the cost. A round-trip charter to Chae Son starts around ฿1,500 depending on distance and waiting.
Drive/rent a car yourself
Best value if you're visiting several spots. The elephant centre is toward Hang Chat, Chae Son is toward Mueang Pan, and the final approach to Chae Son climbs into the hills — daytime driving is safer.
Planning the out-of-town trips
Buses to Chae Son don't run often and head back early. If you're going without your own car, allow extra time and confirm the return times so you don't get stranded. The most reassuring option is to rent a car or charter a songthaew for the whole day.
Which option to pick
- Want the atmosphere + save on a night's hotel → the Uttaravithi special express, evening to morning.
- Want to get there fast with lots of departures → an overnight bus from Mo Chit 2.
- Set on Chae Son, the elephant centre and out-of-town temples → drive yourself or rent a car in Lampang.
- Only doing the old quarter and Kad Kong Ta → horse carts, blue songthaews and your own two feet are plenty.
Keep planning a full Lampang trip
See the Lampang travel guide →