🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phichit is about 340 km from Bangkok, sitting roughly halfway between Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok. The town itself is small — you can drive a full loop of the municipal area in a few minutes. But the thing to know is that there's no local city bus service like you'd find in a bigger city, and several of the sights sit outside the town centre. Sorting out your transport before you set off makes the trip run a lot smoother. Let's start with how to get to Phichit, then get into the details of getting around once you're there.
Getting to Phichit by train
The train is what a lot of people choose, because Phichit station is right in the centre of town — you get off and walk straight to the market and your accommodation, no transfer needed like in some provinces. The station building is an old cream-coloured one with a classic feel, and it photographs well the moment you step off the carriage. Every northern-line train running through the Phitsanulok–Chiang Mai route stops at Phichit.
- Where you board — Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue) is now the main departure point for northern-line trains.
- How long it takes — the fastest special express takes around 4.5 hours; rapid and ordinary trains stop at more stations and take longer. Pick based on your budget and time.
- Rough price — a 3rd-class fan-cooled ticket starts at around THB 70-something; air-conditioned 2nd class and sleeper berths cost more depending on the class. Check prices and seats ahead through the State Railway app or website.
- How many runs — there are several trains a day, both daytime and overnight. The first leaves early morning. On long weekends seats fill fast, so book ahead.
Tip
If you want the scenery and want to keep it cheap, a daytime 2nd-class air-conditioned carriage is the sweet spot — you get long stretches of upper-central-plains rice-field views. If you're short on time and want a proper sleep, take an overnight sleeper berth and wake up just as you arrive.
Getting to Phichit by bus and van
If you'd rather not be tied to the train timetable, the bus is another easy option. It leaves from Mo Chit 2 bus terminal (Chatuchak) and drops you at Phichit Provincial Bus Terminal, which isn't far from the town centre. Operators such as Cherdchai Tour run air-conditioned coaches on the route.
- Rough price — air-conditioned coach tickets start around THB 300–350 depending on the seat class and operator.
- How long it takes — about 5.5 hours, close to a rapid train. Most departures run from afternoon into the evening.
- Where you arrive — Phichit bus terminal (BKS), from there take a hired ride or order a car on an app into town and to your accommodation.
- Inter-provincial vans — there are vans/minibuses linking Phichit with Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok, handy if you're coming over from a nearby province.
Know before you book
You can book coach tickets online in advance through the bus operator's ticketing website, so you get to choose your seat and don't have to gamble on the bus being full — especially over long weekends or around the boat-racing event in early September, when a lot of people are travelling.
Driving your own car
Driving yourself works best if you're travelling as a group or want to stop off along the way, because the Phichit sights are spread out and having your own car is far more flexible. Take the Phahonyothin route (Highway 1) north through Nakhon Sawan, then branch off onto the Phichit road. It's about 340 km from Bangkok, roughly a 4–4.5 hour drive if traffic is clear.
- Stops along the way — Nakhon Sawan is a popular rest stop, with large petrol stations, restaurants, and the headwaters of the Chao Phraya River to drop by.
- Parking in town — parking is easy in Phichit town; Wat Tha Luang, Bueng Si Fai, and the market all have lots.
- Fuel and food — fill up in Nakhon Sawan before entering Phichit. There are stations in Phichit town, but they're spread further apart than in a bigger city.
What to use to get around Phichit
This is the part you need to plan, because Phichit town has no local bus service and no metered taxis like a big city. For anyone arriving by train or bus, there are only a few main options — pick based on your group size and travel style.
Rent a motorbike
The most flexible and cheapest option for solo travellers or couples. There are rental shops in town and near the train station. You can ride around the temples, Bueng Si Fai, and the old market with ease, and parking is simple.
Rent a car
Good for families or groups, letting you cover both town and out-of-town sights without baking in the sun or getting caught in the rain. Some places need booking ahead as cars are limited — try a rental shop in Phichit, or pick up a car from Phitsanulok, which has more choice.
Ride-hailing app / hired car
In town you can sometimes order a car on an app, but there aren't as many around as in a big city, so you may have to wait. The other option is a local hired car or three-wheeler — agree the price before you get in. Best for short trips around town.
Charter a car with driver
If you want to see everything in a day without driving yourself, you can charter a van or sedan with a driver by the day. A local driver can take you to out-of-town spots like Wat Pho Prathap Chang and the pomelo orchards with no hassle.
Tip
If you arrive by train and plan to stick to the town area (Wat Tha Luang, Bueng Si Fai, the train station, the market), renting a motorbike for a single day is enough. But if you're heading out to Wat Pho Prathap Chang or the Tha Khoi pomelo orchards outside the town district, a car or a chartered ride is far more comfortable.
How to get to Bueng Si Fai
Bueng Si Fai is one of Thailand's large freshwater lakes, sitting west of the town centre, just a few kilometres from the train station and Wat Tha Luang. It's about a 5–10 minute drive or motorbike ride from the centre of town, with a lakeside road and a wide car park. The highlights are the big statue of Chalawan the crocodile-king, a lakeside cycling path running several kilometres, and a pavilion out over the water.
- Best time — late afternoon before sunset is cool and pleasant, good for a stroll or a cycle along the lake.
- Bike rental on site — there's a spot to rent bicycles to ride around the lake, handy if you didn't drive yourself.
- From town — a motorbike or car is the most convenient. If you don't have a vehicle, you can take a hired ride and get dropped at the lakefront plaza.
How to get to the Phichit Old City park
The Phichit Old City park is the remains of a town several hundred years old, with city walls, a moat, Wat Mahathat, the city pillar shrine, and Chalawan Cave, which is tied to the Krai Thong legend. It sits south of the present-day town, about a 10–15 minute drive from the centre. The grounds are a shady park, easy to walk around.
- Getting there — having your own car or a rental is the most convenient, since it's outside the train-station area. It's not far, but there's no public transport reaching it.
- Allow time — the grounds are large with several spots to walk, so set aside around 1–1.5 hours.
- Pair it with — you can do this alongside Wat Tha Luang and Bueng Si Fai in one day, since they're all within the same ring around town.
Know before you go
The sun in the park area gets fairly strong around midday, so morning or late afternoon is best. Carry water and wear comfortable shoes for walking, since you'll be on dirt paths and grass.
How to get to the Tha Khoi pomelo orchards
Tha Khoi pomelo is Phichit's most famous local product — a heritage variety that holds GI status, grown around Tha Khoi sub-district and nearby areas. The orchards sit outside the town district, so you'll need a vehicle to reach them. Drive out from town along the route towards Tha Khoi sub-district; it takes about 20–30 minutes depending on the orchard.
- When to go — pomelos are in season roughly from August to October; that's when you can buy them fresh from the orchard at good prices and pick your own.
- Off season — if you come at another time when the pomelos aren't fruiting, you can pick up som-o kaeo (four-flavour candied pomelo) as a souvenir from shops in town instead.
- Getting there — you'll need a car, motorbike, or chartered ride, as it's far out with no public transport reaching it. Call the orchard ahead to check whether they have fruit to sell.
Planning a route to save time
Because the sights are scattered in different directions, ordering them well saves a lot of time and fuel. We'd suggest splitting them into in-town and out-of-town zones. Here's a sample half-day in-town route that flows smoothly.
In-town zone
Lake and souvenirs zone
Travel things worth knowing
- No city bus in town — sort out your transport before you arrive. If you're coming by public transport, budget for a car rental or a chartered ride.
- Bring cash — small rental shops, hired cars, and some old-market stalls still take cash only.
- Allow time to reach the station — if you're leaving by train or bus, get to the station early, since ordering a ride in town can sometimes mean a wait.
- During the boat-racing event — early September gets busy, with both transport tickets and accommodation filling up fast, so book everything ahead.
Plan a full Phichit trip — see all the places to stay, eat, and visit
See the Phichit travel guide →