🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The Phichit-Phitsanulok route is an easy one for anyone who loves temple trips, because the two towns sit on the same line. Highway 117 runs straight for about 70 km and takes a little over an hour from downtown Phichit to downtown Phitsanulok. If you drive your own car or rent one it's a breeze, and if you don't have a car, northern-line trains pass through both provinces every day.
We've slotted day one and the morning of day two on the Phichit side, ticking off Wat Tha Luang, Bueng Si Fai and the Old City Park, then shifting base over to Phitsanulok for the last two nights. Phitsanulok town has more choice for hotels and restaurants, and you can do the Wat Yai temple cluster at an easy pace without driving back and forth.
Day 1 — Phichit: Luang Pho Phet + the Chalawan legend
Phichit: Wat Tha Luang · Bueng Si Fai · Old City Park
Tip for the faithful
At Wat Tha Luang you can pick up flowers, incense and candles in front of the temple. Many people come to ask for blessings on work and health. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in the morning before 10am while the crowds are still thin.
Book the activities in your Phichit 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.
Day 2 — Cross over to Phitsanulok for Phra Phuttha Chinnarat
On the morning of day two, pack up and leave Phichit, drive north on Highway 117 for about an hour and you reach Phitsanulok town. The highlight is a cluster of three temples beside the Nan River that sit next to each other within walking distance: Wat Yai (Phra Si Rattana Mahathat), Wat Nang Phaya and Wat Ratchaburana. It makes for a very worthwhile half-day temple trip.
Phitsanulok: Wat Yai · Wat Nang Phaya · Wat Ratchaburana
Good to know
Photography inside the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat viharn is allowed, but dress modestly — no shorts or spaghetti-strap tops. On religious holidays and around New Year it gets very crowded, so allow extra time to find parking.
Day 3 — Wat Chulamani + Chan Palace before heading back
On the final day, tick off the historical sites around Phitsanulok that aren't far out before you drive back. If you started from Bangkok or the central region, you can head south back through Phichit and it lines up nicely.
Phitsanulok: Wat Chulamani · Chan Palace
The main temple stops on this trip
Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, Wat Yai, Phitsanulok
A Maravijaya-posture principal Buddha that many call one of the most beautiful in Thailand, in the town's signature viharn beside the Nan River. The main anchor of any lower-northern temple trip.
Luang Pho Phet, Wat Tha Luang, Phichit
A Chiang Saen-style bronze Buddha in the Maravijaya posture seated in the diamond cross-legged pose, Phichit's signature image beside the Nan River. People come to ask for blessings on work and health.
Wat Nang Phaya, Phitsanulok
The temple where the famous Phra Nang Phaya amulets originated, right next to Wat Yai and walkable in the same round.
Wat Ratchaburana, Phitsanulok
An old temple several hundred years old, next to Wat Yai and Wat Nang Phaya, with historical structures and a principal Buddha to pay respects to.
Wat Chulamani, Phitsanulok
A temple predating the Sukhothai era, about 5 km from town, with a Lopburi-style prang and history tied to King Borommatrailokkanat.
Getting around and where to stay
- Self-drive — the most convenient. Phichit to Phitsanulok is about 70 km on Highway 117, roughly 1 hour, and the temples within Phitsanulok town are all close together.
- Northern-line train — trains pass through both Phichit and Phitsanulok stations every day, good if you don't have a car. Use local hired transport once you're in town.
- Where to base — we recommend the first night in Phichit, then moving to Phitsanulok for two nights, since Phitsanulok town has more hotels and restaurants to choose from.
- Phitsanulok hotel location — near Wat Yai or near the train station, handy for walking to the temples and finding food.
You can tweak the plan
If you only have 2 days, drop day three and roll Wat Chulamani and Chan Palace into the morning you head back instead. Or if you want to focus on Phichit alone, check out the 1-day and 2-day, 1-night Phichit plans for more options.
Want to start in Phichit first? See the whole province's sights and hotels
See the Phichit travel guide →