Getting to Phetchabun
Bus, self-driving, up to Khao Kho & Phu Thap Boek

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

First, a quick word on Phetchabun's geography. Phetchabun town sits in a valley, while the big-name spots like Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek are up in the high mountains, in a totally different zone from town. So once you reach Phetchabun you still have to keep going up the mountain. That's why your transport plan matters from the moment you leave home.

Quick answer: how to get to Phetchabun

• No train — Phetchabun has no train station. If you want to go by rail you'd have to get off at Phitsanulok or Lopburi and transfer onward, which isn't very convenient.
• No regular flights — Phetchabun Airport does exist, but right now no commercial airline flies in on a regular schedule, just occasional charter flights. Don't plan on flying.
• Bus — the easiest and cheapest option if you don't have a car. Departs from Mo Chit, with fares starting around 300-something THB.
• Self-driving — the most comfortable way to tour Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek, since the sights are spread out and public transport on the mountain is sparse.

Taking the bus to Phetchabun

Almost all buses leave from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) and run straight to Phetchabun Bus Terminal in town, taking around 5–6 hours depending on the service and stops. There are both government (BKS) buses and private joint-service operators.

• Fare — from around 300-something THB up to 400-plus THB depending on the class (1st class / VIP). You can book online in advance to choose your seat.
• Schedules — departures run from early morning through to late-night services. The overnight buses are handy if you want to arrive in the morning, ready to head up the mountain.
• Booking — book through sites like 12Go, BusOnlineTicket or busandvan. On long weekends and through the cool season (Nov–Jan) seats fill up fast, so book ahead.

One thing to know: the bus only takes you as far as town — it doesn't go up to Khao Kho or Phu Thap Boek. Once you reach town you still have to arrange onward transport up the mountain (more on mountain transport below).

Driving yourself: which route, how far

From Bangkok to Phetchabun town is roughly 340–350 km, around 4.5 to 5 hours of driving without stops. The main routes people use are:

• The Saraburi–Lopburi route (Highway 21) — take Phahonyothin (Highway 1), pass Saraburi, then turn onto Highway 21 at Phu Khae, through Chai Badan–Si Thep–Wichian Buri into Phetchabun town. This is the popular route: easy driving on good roads.
• The Phitsanulok route (Highway 12) — better if you're coming from the north or want to hit the Camp Son–Wat Pha Sorn Kaew side of Khao Kho before reaching town, turning off at Wang Thong–Lom Sak.
• Stop at Si Thep on the way — on the Highway 21 route, the ancient city of Si Thep (a World Heritage Site) is right by the road before you reach town, a good stop just before heading up the mountain.

The road up Khao Kho — is it steep? Can a car make it?

Good news first: Khao Kho is easier to drive than you'd think. The road up is well-maintained asphalt with a manageable gradient — an ordinary car handles it easily, no four-wheel drive needed. Locals and tourists drive regular cars up here every single day.

• Use low gear on the way down — the climb up is rarely a problem, but on the way down use engine braking (gear L or 2 / S mode). Don't ride the brakes the whole way — they'll overheat and lose grip.
• Lots of curves — the road is fairly winding, so anyone prone to car sickness should bring medicine. Drive slowly and watch for oncoming traffic.
• Small cars with small engines make it too — you'll just need to drop into a lower gear on some of the climbs to give the car some power. No need to worry about it not being able to handle it.

The road up Phu Thap Boek — this is the real one

Phu Thap Boek is a whole different story from Khao Kho. This is the part everyone worries about, and they're right to. The road up Phu Thap Boek is noticeably steeper than Khao Kho, with some sections steep enough that a small, low-powered car may struggle to drag itself up. And what's scarier is the way down.

• Going up — a regular car can make it, but with a small engine (1.2–1.5) you'll need to drop into low gear and rev high. Some sections the car will clearly bog down — keep it pulling and don't let it stall on a steep stretch.
• The way down is the dangerous part — long, continuous steep descents. If you use only the foot brake it'll fade (overheat until it stops holding). You have to use low gear to hold the car back the whole way down — this is exactly why people say the descent on Phu Thap Boek is scary.
• Check your brakes and tyres before going up — if your car isn't in good shape or the brakes are weak, don't risk driving up yourself.

Bottom line: a regular car can make it up Phu Thap Boek if it's in good shape and the driver keeps their head and knows how to use the gears. But if it's a very old car, the brakes are soft, or you've never driven a steep mountain road, we'd recommend using a local vehicle for peace of mind.

No car? How to get up: songthaews and charters

If you've come by bus or just don't want to drive up the mountain yourself, Phetchabun does have local services that'll take you around — but you need to plan ahead. Don't expect to flag down a ride on the spot up on the mountain the way you would in a big city.

Flights and trains — do they actually work?

People often ask whether you can fly or take the train. The honest answer is: not conveniently, for now.

• Flights — Phetchabun Airport exists, but no commercial airline flies in on a regular schedule, just occasional charter flights. Don't plan on flying in as your main option. If you want to fly, land at Phitsanulok and drive on to Phetchabun, about 2 hours.
• Train — no rail line runs through Phetchabun. The nearest stations are Lopburi (Northern Line) or Phitsanulok, then transfer by bus/van into town. All in, it's usually slower than taking a direct bus.