🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The best thing about Nakhon Pathom is how close it is to Bangkok — an easy day trip there and back — with several ways to travel depending on your budget and style. If you want a slow, scenic ride that feels like a proper outing, the train is the answer. If you're in a hurry and want to head straight into town, the van is faster. And if you want to hit several spots in one day, driving yourself or renting a car is the most flexible, since many sights are spread out beyond the town centre.
Getting there by train — the option people love most
Nakhon Pathom sits on the southern railway line, and almost every southbound train stops at Nakhon Pathom station. The station is right in the centre of town, and you can walk to Phra Pathom Chedi in just a few minutes — which makes the train the most convenient and cheapest choice if you don't have a car.
- Where to board — you can catch the train from either Bangkok station (Hua Lamphong) or Thonburi station (Bangkok Noi). The Thonburi side is closer to Nakhon Pathom and runs plenty of local trains.
- How long it takes — around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the type of train.
- Price — third-class local trains are very cheap, starting in the low tens of baht (around 14–20 THB), while rapid/express trains with air-conditioned carriages cost a bit more.
- Tickets — for local trains you can just buy at the station counter; no advance booking needed. For rapid/express trains you can book online through the State Railway's D-Ticket system.
Tip for train travellers
Timetables get adjusted from time to time, so check the latest departures on the State Railway website (railway.co.th) before every trip, and leave a buffer for the return leg — evening trains tend to get crowded.
Getting there by van — fast and straight into town
Vans are the choice for people who want to arrive quickly and leave often, with departures roughly every 30 minutes. There are two main boarding points on the Bangkok side: Pinklao pier and the new Southern Bus Terminal (Taling Chan).
Pinklao–Nakhon Pathom van
The most popular boarding point. The van stand is in a side soi near Central Pinklao mall, about 200 metres' walk from the front of the mall. It runs straight into central Nakhon Pathom and drops you near Phra Pathom Chedi.
New Southern Terminal van (Taling Chan)
Board at the new Southern Bus Terminal on Borommaratchachonnani Road. Several routes pass through Nakhon Pathom — for example the one running via Phutthamonthon–Nakhon Pathom–Dan Chang — handy if you're on the western side of Bangkok.
You can connect from the Red Line
If you're in central Bangkok, another trick many people use is to take the SRT Red Line to Taling Chan station, then transfer to a commuter train into Nakhon Pathom — a good way to dodge city traffic.
Driving yourself / car rental — the most flexible if you'll make several stops
Many of Nakhon Pathom's sights lie outside the town centre, especially around Sam Phran, Nakhon Chai Si and Phutthamonthon. Having your own car or a rental is convenient if you want to cover several places in one day. The main routes from Bangkok are Borommaratchachonnani Road or Phetkasem Road, and the drive takes around an hour on a day without heavy traffic.
- Self-drive rental — there are car-rental services in Nakhon Pathom, and you can also pick up a car at the airport or in Bangkok. Good if you're comfortable driving yourself.
- Car with driver — ideal for families or groups who'd rather not drive, since the driver knows the local temple and market routes well.
- Parking — Phra Pathom Chedi, Wat Rai Khing and Don Wai Floating Market all have parking, but it gets busy on weekends, so go early.
Getting around within Nakhon Pathom town
If you don't have a car, getting around the town centre is easier than you'd think. The main in-town sights aren't far apart — Phra Pathom Chedi is right in the middle and within walking distance of the night market, the morning market and the famous red-pork rice shops. Sanam Chandra Palace is a few kilometres further out.
- Motorbike taxi — the handiest option in town for short hops, with fares from the low tens up to around 40–50 THB depending on distance.
- Songthaew — these run in town and out to the surrounding districts; fares are cheap, starting in the low tens of baht, but you'll need to wait for one and know the right route.
- Walking — the area around Phra Pathom Chedi is easy to explore on foot, with markets and restaurants close by.
How to get to Don Wai Floating Market
Don Wai Floating Market is in Sam Phran district, on the banks of the Tha Chin River. It's an old riverside market that Bangkokians love coming to eat and stroll on weekends, and it sits outside the Nakhon Pathom town centre. There are a few ways to get there.
- Private car — the easiest. Take Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road, turn off toward Wat Rai Khing, then follow the signs to Don Wai a few minutes on.
- Van / air-con bus from Pinklao — air-conditioned buses from around Pinklao run toward Don Wai–Wat Rai Khing; fares are about 40 THB and the trip takes roughly 20–40 minutes.
- Boat from Wat Rai Khing — if you're already at Wat Rai Khing, there's a shuttle boat to Don Wai along the Tha Chin River, taking about 20 minutes, with riverside life to watch on both banks along the way.
Go in the morning
Don Wai Floating Market is liveliest from late morning into the afternoon on Saturday–Sunday. Arrive before noon and it's easier to walk around with the food stalls still in full swing — by late afternoon some stalls start packing up.
How to get to Wat Rai Khing
Wat Rai Khing (Wat Mongkhon Chindaram) is in Sam Phran district, close to Don Wai. It's a well-known temple where people come to pay respects to Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing year-round, reachable by both private car and public transport.
- Private car — same route as Don Wai: Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road, then turn into the Wat Rai Khing soi. The temple sits right on the Tha Chin River.
- Bus / van — there are air-con buses and route 556, which has a depot near Wat Rai Khing; get off and take a songthaew or motorbike taxi into the temple.
- Pair it with Don Wai — Wat Rai Khing and Don Wai Market are very close together. Many people pay their respects at Wat Rai Khing first, then take the boat or a short ride over to stroll Don Wai Market on the same trip.
How to get to Phutthamonthon
Phutthamonthon is in Phutthamonthon district — a large Buddhist park centred on Phra Sri Sakyathotsaphonyan, a big walking Buddha image. It's a nice place to stroll, cycle and pay your respects, and it's actually closer to Bangkok than the Nakhon Pathom town centre.
- Private car — the easiest. Drive in via Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road; the grounds are spacious with plenty of parking.
- New Southern Terminal van — several vans running from the new Southern Terminal to Nakhon Pathom pass through the Phutthamonthon–Salaya area; just tell the driver to drop you near Phutthamonthon.
- Connect from Salaya — if you come via Salaya (near Mahidol University), you can take a songthaew or motorbike taxi into Phutthamonthon.
So which should you pick?
Visiting the town and the great chedi
Take the train to Nakhon Pathom station and walk straight to Phra Pathom Chedi and the markets. Cheap, and you get the atmosphere.
Want Don Wai, Wat Rai Khing and Phutthamonthon in one day
Drive yourself or hire a car with driver — far more flexible, since these spots are outside town and spread apart.
In a hurry, want to arrive fast
Take the van from Pinklao — frequent departures every 30 minutes, running straight into the town centre.
Plan a full-day Nakhon Pathom trip and see all the sights and places to eat
See the Nakhon Pathom travel guide →