🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Mention Lampang and the first thing most people picture is the horse carriage, because this is the one city in Thailand where carriages still carry passengers and take visitors around town to this day. Carriages arrived in Lampang back in the reign of King Rama VI, around 1915–1916. At first they were transport for nobles and officials before becoming the everyday public transport of locals. Once cars took over, every other city dropped them, and only Lampang held on, until the carriage became the symbol of the province.
These days the Lampang carriages are run by the Lampang Horse Carriage Association, with set queues parked at fixed points around town. Prices are fixed rates, so there's no haggling to waste your time. You can ride by day to see the old town, or at night to take in the lights along the Wang River.
Routes and prices
The association sets three standard rates based on distance and time. The prices below are per carriage (seating roughly 2–4 people), not per person, and may shift a little depending on the time of day or if you charter it. Always confirm with the driver before you climb aboard.
Short city loop
The popular pick if you're short on time. You set off from the old provincial hall, roll down Thip Chang Road with its rows of old shophouses, circle the clock tower roundabout in the city center, then turn onto Boonyawat Road through the commercial district. It runs about 15–20 minutes, just enough to get a taste of it.
Long city loop
Similar to the short loop but it carries on further, adding a stretch along the Wang River on Wang Khwa Road, past Khelang Nakhon Park and Atsawin Market. You see more sides of the city and get easy riverside photos. It runs about 30–40 minutes and is the best value if you want to soak up the city.
Hourly charter (your own route)
Charter the carriage by the hour and just tell the driver where you want to go. Good if you want to stop at temples, take your time with photos, or bring the family along without rushing. Most drivers are locals and will tell you stories about the city along the way.
Ask the price before you get on
Lampang carriage prices are association rates, posted on signs at several queues, but you should still confirm with the driver before boarding which loop it is, how much, and how many people can ride, so there are no surprises when you pay. If you're chartering for a while or stopping at several spots, agree on the time and total price clearly up front.
Want more out of Lampang? Book tours & activities
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.
Where to catch a carriage
Carriages have regular queues at several points around town, mostly near the old town and along the Wang River. They're an easy walk from accommodation in the city center. The spots that are easy to find and almost always have carriages waiting include:
- In front of the old provincial hall — the city's main queue, plenty of carriages, the starting point for both the short and long loops. Daytime service runs roughly 6am–4pm.
- In front of Wienglakor (Wiengtong) Hotel and Thip Chang Hotel — roadside queues, easy to find, and some carriages here run into the evening for night rides.
- Near Kad Kong Ta and Ratsada Bridge — the riverside old town district, great for pairing a carriage ride with a stroll along the walking street.
- At well-known temples such as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang — carriages sometimes wait here, though it's less reliable than the city queues.
Daytime vs. nighttime rides
You can ride the Lampang carriages by day or by night, and the mood is clearly different. Just pick the style you like.
Daytime ride
You see the old town clearly and can photograph the shophouses on Thip Chang Road and the pretty clock tower roundabout. Best in the morning or late afternoon when the sun isn't harsh and the air is comfortable.
Nighttime ride
Take in the city lights and Ratsada Bridge along the Wang River. The mood is romantic and the air is cool, perfect for pairing with a walk through Kad Kong Ta on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Pair it with the walking street
If you come on a Saturday or Sunday, try an evening carriage loop around the city and then hop off to walk Kad Kong Ta (the old town walking street). You get the carriage ride and the street-food atmosphere all in one trip.
About the horses and riding thoughtfully
Many of the horses pulling the Lampang carriages are smaller native horses, and the drivers and association treat it as a trade passed down over several generations. If you want to ride with a clear conscience, choose the morning or evening when it isn't too hot, avoid loading more people than the driver says is allowed, and don't push the horse to go fast. Let it walk at its own pace and you'll get a better ride for it.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Take the long loop if you have time — it's only 50 baht more but adds the Wang River stretch and shows you more of the city. Better value than the short loop.
- Split the fare with a group — the price is per carriage, not per person, so with 3–4 people it works out very cheap each.
- Bring cash — drivers mostly take cash, so keep small notes handy for easy change.
- Tell the driver if you want to stop for photos — especially at the clock tower roundabout and by Ratsada Bridge. Drivers are usually happy to pull over.
- Avoid the midday sun — between 11am and 2pm it's hot on both you and the horse. Morning or evening is far more comfortable.
Plan a full day in Lampang
See the Lampang travel guide →