🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Nakhon Si Thammarat sits in the central-southern stretch of Thailand on the Gulf side, about 780–830 km from Bangkok depending on the route, and around 130 km from Surat Thani. There are four main ways to get there: flying, train, bus and self-driving. Each suits a different style and budget, so let's compare them first to see which fits you.
Getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat from Bangkok — 4 Ways Compared
Flying — Fastest and Most Popular
Fly from Don Mueang (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK) into Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST), about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air. Several airlines run the route — Nok Air, AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet and Thai AirAsia, mostly out of Don Mueang. Flights run from early morning around 6am through to evening, so it's easy to pick a time. Most travellers go this way because it saves the most time.
Train — Nice Ride, Sleeper Option
From Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal down to Nakhon Si Thammarat station, there are express and rapid trains that run straight into the city, taking around 13–15 hours. You can book an air-conditioned sleeper berth, leaving in the evening and arriving in the morning, which suits people who enjoy the journey and aren't in a rush. Another plus: the station sits right in town, so you can head straight to your hotel after getting off.
Bus — Cheap, Plenty of Departures
From Mo Chit 2 terminal (Chatuchak) and the new Southern Bus Terminal (Borommaratchachonnani Road), air-conditioned coaches run daily in both standard (Por.1) and VIP classes. Familiar operators include Nakhon Si Rom Yen Tour and Nakhon Si Racha Tour, plus Transport Co. partner buses. The trip takes around 11–13 hours, with most departing in the evening and arriving in the morning, which suits travellers on a budget who don't mind a long sleep on board.
Self-Driving — Good for a Multi-Province Trip
From Bangkok it's around 9–10 hours, passing Phetchaburi, Chumphon and Surat Thani, then turning off the southern highway into the city. It's a fair haul, so plan a break or two along the way rather than driving it in one go. This makes sense if you're stringing several southern provinces together, because once you arrive you already have a car for getting around the province — no need to rent.
Which One to Pick
Short on time and want a full first day? Flying is the answer — land in the morning and start sightseeing. · On a budget or don't want to lose a sightseeing day? Take an overnight sleeper train or evening bus, sleep on board and wake up in town. · Planning a long southern road trip across several provinces? Self-driving is the most flexible.
Getting from the Airport into Town
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) is a small airport about 15–20 km south of the city. Once you land, there are several ways into town depending on your budget and how much hassle you want to deal with.
- Airport bus / minibus into town — the cheapest option. Public shuttles connect the airport to the city centre, with fares from a few tens up to the low hundreds of baht depending on your drop-off point. Head out of the terminal toward the car park and you'll find the pick-up spot.
- Airport taxi — these wait in the lot out front, easy for a direct ride into town with no waiting for a shuttle. Good if you're in a group or have a lot of luggage. Agree the fare before getting in, or use the meter as arranged.
- Rental car pickup at the airport — if you're planning to cover several districts, picking up the car right at the airport counter is the most efficient. Drive straight out and start exploring without going into town first.
- Hotel shuttle — some places offer airport transfers. Check with your booking beforehand; some are free, some charge a small fee.
Getting Around the Province — Why You Should Rent a Car
A common rookie mistake is assuming you can land and hop on public transport to get around easily. In reality, Nakhon Si Thammarat has very little public transport within the province, and the headline sights are in separate districts dozens of kilometres apart. Trying to chain songthaews out to Ai Khai or Khanom yourself is a hassle and eats up a lot of time. That's why almost everyone who comes to seriously explore chooses to rent a car and drive themselves or hire a car with a driver.
Rent and self-drive
The most flexible and best value if you can drive. Rental companies operate at both the airport and in the city. Sedans start around ฿600–900 per day with plenty of models to choose from. Pick up at the airport and start exploring right away.
Car + driver
Don't want to drive yourself or aren't used to the roads? Hire a sedan or van with a driver by the day. Drivers know the routes and can take you to Ai Khai, Khanom and Kiriwong without trouble. VIP vans start around ฿1,800 per day.
Day tours to the temples
Travelling solo or don't want to charter a whole vehicle? There are day tours on a seat-booking basis that take you to Wat Phra That, Ai Khai and Wat Yang Yai. Cheaper than chartering if there are only a few of you.
Motorbike in the city
If you're only touring the old town, visiting Wat Phra That, walking the walking street and hitting cafes, a rental motorbike at a few hundred baht a day is enough. Not suitable for the longer runs out to Sichon or Khanom, though.
Book Your Car Ahead in High Season
During long weekends and festivals, rental cars at Nakhon Si Thammarat airport sell out fast, especially the well-priced ones. · Book online ahead through a rental company or booking platform for a better rate, and to avoid the risk of arriving to find nothing available.
How to Reach Ai Khai, Khanom and Kiriwong — The Sights Are in Different Directions
The key to planning a Nakhon Si Thammarat trip is understanding that the main sights split into separate zones. Ai Khai and Khanom are both to the north in the same direction, so you can chain them in one go, while Kiriwong is to the west, a different way entirely. Pair them on the wrong day and you'll end up driving back and forth for nothing. Here are the routes and rough distances from the city.
- Ai Khai, Wat Chedi (Sichon district) — north of the city, around 60–70 km, about an hour's drive along the coastal road. It's the province's most famous luck-and-fortune temple. · On the way you can stop at Wat Yang Yai (Ta Phran Bun), which is closer to the city.
- Khanom (Khanom district) — the northernmost part of the province, around 100–116 km from the city, roughly an hour and a half to two hours' drive. It's the same direction as Ai Khai, so you can continue on from Sichon. Here you can take a boat to see the pink dolphins and visit quiet beaches.
- Kiriwong–Khao Luang (Lan Saka district) — to the southwest of the city, around 25–30 km, about a 40-minute drive. It's a village in a cool mountain valley. · The closest of the headline sights to the city, but in a different direction from Ai Khai–Khanom, so set it aside for a separate day.
- Krung Ching Waterfall (Nopphitam district) — inside Khao Luang National Park, to the north-northwest, around 70 km from the city. It's a fair walk in to the falls. · Check park announcements first; the late-year rainy season often closes the trail during flooding.
Plan Routes So You Don't Backtrack
Temple-and-sea day: head straight north — city → Ai Khai in Sichon → Khanom, since they're all in a line. · Nature day: keep Kiriwong–Khao Luang for a separate day because it's to the west. · Don't pair Ai Khai and Kiriwong on the same day, because you'd have to cross back and forth through the city, wasting both time and fuel.
Distances from Bangkok and Surat Thani — For Planning Routes
If you're planning to drive yourself or connect to other provinces, these distances help you gauge timing. The figures are rough ranges based on actual routes.
- Bangkok → Nakhon Si Thammarat — around 780–830 km, about 9–10 hours' drive, passing Phetchaburi, Chumphon and Surat Thani.
- Surat Thani → Nakhon Si Thammarat — around 130–134 km, about 2 hours' drive. This route is very popular because many people fly into Surat Thani and continue by car, or tour Surat Thani first before looping over to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat → Khanom — around 100–116 km, about 1.5–2 hours' drive. The farthest within the province, so allow extra driving time.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat → Sichon (Ai Khai) — around 60–70 km, about an hour's drive.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat → Kiriwong — around 25–30 km, about a 40-minute drive. The closest to the city.
- NST Airport → city centre — around 15–20 km, about 20–30 minutes' drive.
Flying into Surat Thani Works Too
When tickets into Nakhon Si Thammarat are pricey or sold out, try checking flights into Surat Thani and renting a car from there. It's only around 130 km, a two-hour drive. · This works especially well if you're mainly heading for Khanom, since Khanom sits to the north already near the Surat Thani border.
Sample Itineraries — Pick by How You Arrive
It's easier to picture once you map it out for real. These two are the routes people tend to follow — adjust them to your flights and the hotel you've booked.
Fly into Nakhon, Rent a Car, Three Days of Sightseeing
Overnight Train/Bus, Budget Trip
Good to Know Before You Set Off
- Check the rainy season before booking — Nakhon Si Thammarat is on the Gulf side, with heavy rain from October through December. Some years bring flooding in the city and disrupted flights. Avoid this window if you can; January to April has clearer, more comfortable skies.
- Fill up before long drives — petrol stations are spread out on the routes to Khanom and Krung Ching Waterfall, so fill up before leaving the city or a major district town.
- Book holiday flights in advance — the Bangkok–Nakhon route is busy, and fares climb fast over long weekends. Booking early gets you a better price.
- New to the roads? Go with a hired car — if you're not confident driving in an unfamiliar place, a car with a driver is more relaxing. Local drivers know the way and where to park at the popular temples.
Now that you know how to get around, see the full Nakhon Si Thammarat guide, or sort out a well-located place to stay before you set off.
See the full Nakhon Si Thammarat guide →