🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Lopburi sits just about 150 km from Bangkok, so it's an easy day trip by train or car — out in the morning, back by evening. But to make the most of it, pick a time when the province's best stuff lines up, because the headline draws like the sunflower fields and the floating train only run in the cool season, not all year.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Lopburi
The best window is November to January. The weather is cool and comfortable, so walking the old town in the sun isn't a slog, and it's the one stretch where the sunflowers are in bloom and the floating train is running at the same time. Come now and you get everything in one trip.
- November–January (cool season) — the best. Sunflowers in bloom, cool air, the floating train running. Great for photos and daytime walking.
- February–April (hot season) — the sunflowers are past their peak and it gets very hot. Skip midday in the old town and walk in the early morning and evening instead.
- May–October (rainy season) — fewer crowds, Pa Sak dam is full, the views are lush and green, but build in a backup plan for rain.
Timing the bloom
Not every field blooms at once — some peak early in the month, others late. Before you go, check the Facebook page of the farm you're heading to (like Khao Jeen Lae or one of the farms in Phatthana Nikhom district) to see whether that round is in full bloom yet, so you don't show up to a field that was just planted or has already gone over.
Sunflower Fields — Which Farm, and What's the Entry Fee
Most of the sunflower fields are clustered in Phatthana Nikhom district, around Khao Jeen Lae and the Pa Sak Jolasid dam. Each farm charges a slightly different entry fee, but they're all in the tens of baht. Here's roughly what to expect.
- Khao Jeen Lae Sunflower Field — has a mountain backdrop, entry around 20 THB, with a café and photo spots on site.
- Khun Ramyong Farm (Manao Wan subdistrict) — entry around 30 THB, 40 THB for foreigners, 10 THB for older kids, little ones free.
- Sap Prayoon Farm (Nong Bua subdistrict) — has both sunflower fields and a giant fern garden, a good extra photo stop.
Golden hour
Most fields open around 6am to dusk, but sunflowers turn to face the light. From 7–9am the flowers face the morning sun and the heat hasn't built up yet — the best time for photos. By late afternoon the blooms close up and the light goes flat.
Pa Sak Jolasid Floating Train — Year-End Only
The floating train is a special service the State Railway runs only in the cool season, every Saturday and Sunday from roughly November to February. The highlight is the stretch where the train crosses the dam crest with water on both sides — it looks like the train is floating on the water. It also stops so you can get off and take photos at the viewpoint out on the dam.
- Departs Hua Lamphong (Bangkok station) around 6am — reaches the mid-dam viewpoint around 9-something, then arrives at Pa Sak dam in the late morning.
- Return leaves the dam around 3:30pm — back in Bangkok by evening. A one-day, out-in-the-morning, back-by-evening trip.
- Round-trip fares — 3rd-class fan car around 350 THB / air-conditioned car (OTOP / JR-West) around 620 THB.
- Buying tickets — at train stations nationwide, or through the State Railway's D-Ticket system, which opens for advance booking in early November.
Book early
This service is hugely popular and the air-con cars fill up fast. They go on sale in early November and sell out quickly for high-season weekends. If you want an air-con car, book the moment sales open. The 3rd-class fan cars are cheaper and you ride with the breeze — a different kind of atmosphere.
Mind the Monkeys — What to Know Before the Old Town
Lopburi is famous for the monkeys that live right in the heart of the old town. Recently the province moved most of them into managed areas, so walking around town is a lot easier now. But there are still troops around San Phra Kan shrine and Phra Prang Sam Yot, and that's where you need to watch your belongings.
- Keep loose items tucked away — monkeys can grab glasses, hats, plastic bags, water bottles, and phones in a flash. Carry a food bag and they'll make a run at you.
- Don't eat or open bags in front of them — the rustle of a bag draws monkeys instantly. If you want to eat, do it inside a shop or somewhere enclosed.
- Don't stare or bare your teeth in a grin — monkeys read it as a challenge. Just walk past normally; don't poke at them or get too close for photos.
- Use a small bag with a tight closure, or wear your pack on your front — it cuts the odds of having a zip pulled or something snatched from your back.
If a monkey scratches or bites you
Wash the wound right away with soap and clean water for several minutes, then go to a hospital or clinic to ask about a rabies shot. Don't let it slide. Lopburi has a hospital in town, so it's not far to get to.
How Much to Budget Per Day
Lopburi is a province you can do cheaply. Most attractions charge only tens of baht and the food is inexpensive, so an out-in-the-morning, back-by-evening day trip won't blow your budget. Here are some rough per-person, per-day numbers.
- Attraction entry — Phra Prang Sam Yot / King Narai's Palace are around 10 THB for Thais, around 50 THB for foreigners / sunflower fields around 20–40 THB.
- Three meals — around 200–400 THB if you stick to street food and local spots like boat noodles and Pik Poon desserts.
- Getting around town — the old town is walkable; for the dam and sunflower fields, your own car or a rental is easiest.
- Budget day total — around 500–800 THB for an out-and-back day, not counting accommodation or transport from Bangkok.
Save on transport
If you're not driving yourself, the Bangkok–Lopburi train is only around 100-something baht round trip. Get off at Lopburi station and walk straight into the old town — Phra Prang Sam Yot is right by the tracks. The sunflower fields and the dam are farther out, so you'll need onward transport for those.
What to Wear for an Easy Lopburi Trip
- Comfortable walking shoes — the old town involves a lot of walking on brick and dirt, so sneakers or proper walking shoes beat flip-flops.
- Breathable clothes plus a thin layer for the cool season — daytime sun is still strong, around 30°C and up, while the cool-season mornings and evenings get breezy. Pack a light jacket.
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen — the sunflower fields are out in the open with no shade and strong sun, but watch out for monkeys snatching hats and glasses in the old town.
- Modest clothing for temples — dress neatly for King Narai's Palace and the old-town temples; avoid spaghetti straps and very short shorts.
- A secure bag — in the monkey zone, use a front-worn pack or a closed crossbody bag rather than an open-top bag.
What Kind of Trips You Can Plan
Old Town + Monkeys (one day)
Sunflower Fields + Dam (cool season)
Want a full day-by-day Lopburi itinerary? Check out our complete Lopburi travel guide.
See the Lopburi guide →