🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Nonthaburi sits right up against Bangkok — you barely feel where one ends and the other begins. And ever since the Purple Line started running through the center of town, getting here without a car has become much easier. The line connects to the Blue Line at Tao Poon station, so if you're in central Bangkok you just take the Blue Line, change at Tao Poon, and hop straight onto the Purple Line.
What makes the Purple Line handy for day-trippers is that several stations have walkways leading straight into a mall, or it's only a few minutes on foot to a market or an old riverside temple. So we've split this into three half-day plans, each taking about 4–5 hours. Do just one for a relaxed outing, or string two together for a full day — everything sits on the same line, so it all connects.
Know the Purple Line before you set off
- 16 stations — from Khlong Bang Phai (PP01) on the Bang Yai side to Tao Poon (PP16) on the Bangkok side. The full line is around 23 km and takes roughly 35–40 minutes end to end.
- Connects to the Blue Line at Tao Poon station — you change lines inside the station, no need to exit the system.
- Connects to the Red Line (Bang Sue–Taling Chan) at Bang Son station, for anyone coming off the Red Line.
- Operating hours are roughly 05:30–24:00. Trains come every few minutes during rush hour and a little less often outside those times.
- Fares are distance-based, starting in the tens of baht and topping out in the low-to-mid 40s THB end to end. Keep some coins or a card handy for convenience.
Planning tip
If you're heading to a big mall like Westgate, weekday mornings are far quieter than weekends. For riverside temples, go in the morning before the sun gets harsh and before the larger tour groups arrive.
Book the activities in your Nonthaburi trip ahead
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.
Plan A — Shopping: Westgate + IKEA (get off at Talat Bang Yai)
If you're in the mood for big air-conditioned malls and an easy afternoon, head to the far end of the line on the Bang Yai side. Talat Bang Yai station (PP02) is the closest stop to Central Westgate. The mall itself is huge, and Thailand's first-ever IKEA sits right next door — you can walk between the two entirely indoors.
Shopping (half-day afternoon)
Straight talk
Talat Bang Yai station doesn't have a direct bridge straight into Westgate the way some downtown malls do — you'll need to walk a bit further or take a short ride. It's not far, but if the sun's strong, plan for it. Also, the name 'Talat Bang Yai' here is just the station name; it doesn't mean there's a fresh market right by the station.
Plan B — Eating & strolling: Esplanade + the Khae Rai area
The middle of the line is Nonthaburi's government-office area and a densely residential stretch. Khae Rai (PP10) and Government Complex Nonthaburi (PP11) stations sit next to each other, within easy walking distance of Esplanade Ngamwongwan–Khae Rai and Lotus's Rattanathibet. It's a good fit for a day when you want to eat at a relaxed pace, catch a film, and stroll without going far.
Eating & strolling (half day)
Plan C — Temple visit: Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat by the Chao Phraya
Nonthaburi has several old temples along the Chao Phraya River. The standout — and the easiest to reach from the Purple Line — is Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan, a temple from the reign of King Rama III with Thai-Chinese architecture, set right by the water with a cool, shady feel. Get off at Saphan Phra Nang Klao station and walk on from there, or for a more riverside arrival, take the cross-river ferry from Tha Nonthaburi pier.
Temple & riverside (half-day morning)
Before the temple
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat is still an active place of worship, so dress modestly, keep noise down, and check the ordination hall's opening hours before you go, as it's only open at certain times. The walk from the station has some stretches with no shade, so an umbrella or hat makes it more comfortable.
String all three plans into a full day
Because every stop sits on the same Purple Line, chaining them into a full day is easy. We'd suggest starting with the temple in the morning (Plan C) while the sun is still gentle, then moving indoors to the malls in the afternoon when it's hot outside.
Morning — riverside temple
Start at Saphan Phra Nang Klao and head to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat for a little merit-making and Chao Phraya riverside calm before the heat sets in.
Midday–afternoon — eat and stroll
Shift over to Khae Rai / Government Complex, have lunch at Esplanade, and browse the malls to escape the heat.
Evening — finish with shopping
End at Talat Bang Yai at the far end of the line for a long wander through Westgate and IKEA before riding back.
What to bring & rough costs
- Round-trip train fare for the day — roughly 60–120 THB per person, depending on how many segments you ride and how far.
- Meals in the mall — food court dishes start around 40–70 THB, while sit-down restaurants run from a hundred-plus THB.
- Temple entry is free (donate as you wish), and the cross-river ferry is in the tens of baht.
- Budget for motorbike taxis / taxis on the short hops from the station to a mall or temple — a few tens of baht each time.
- Worth packing — an umbrella or hat, drinking water, and coins or a stored-value card for fares.
Want a full-day Nonthaburi plan and where-to-stay picks?
See the Nonthaburi travel guide →