🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The handy thing about Phitsanulok is that it's a junction town — whether you're heading north, going south, or crossing over to Isan via Phetchabun and Loei, it's an easy place to break the journey. It's about 370 km from Bangkok, and you can pick anything from a one-hour flight to a long, scenic train ride. We've broken down each option so you can see who it suits.
Which way to Phitsanulok — the short version
Flying (Bangkok–Phitsanulok)
The fastest option — about 55 minutes from Don Muang into Phitsanulok airport, which sits just 4–5 km from downtown. Great if you're short on time or coming up for work and tacking on a trip.
Northern train line
Comfortable, and you arrive at a station that's walkable to Wat Yai and the markets. There are overnight special-express sleepers and daytime rapid trains. Best if you like the atmosphere and aren't in a rush.
Coach / minivan
The most frequent departures, all leaving from Mo Chit 2 with several operators and runs throughout the day. You arrive at Phitsanulok's bus terminal, then connect into town. Best if you want flexibility on travel times.
Self-driving
The most freedom — take Highway 32 onto 117 and you're heading straight up. Best if you're set on Nakhon Thai and Phu Hin Rong Kla, or pairing it with Phetchabun and Sukhothai, since the sights are spread out and public transport doesn't reach them.
How to pick what's worth it
If you're only doing the city (Wat Yai, the markets, the cafes along the Nan) — a flight or train straight downtown is easiest, no car needed. But if you're set on Phu Hin Rong Kla and Nakhon Thai, or rolling Sukhothai and Phetchabun into the trip, driving yourself or renting a car is far better value, because those sights are out of town and up in the hills.
Flying — into Phitsanulok airport (PHS)
Phitsanulok airport mainly handles domestic flights from Bangkok (Don Muang). The regular carriers are Nok Air and Thai Lion Air, with a flight time of around 55 minutes. Fares swing with the season — book ahead and you might catch around 700–900 THB/leg, while long weekends or last-minute bookings can push past 1,500 THB.
- The airport is very close to town — just 4–5 km out, so it's a 10–15 minute ride into the hotel district.
- Getting into town — there are several car-rental desks at the airport, you can call a Grab, or use a taxi / hotel shuttle.
- Check the schedule before booking — some days only have a handful of flights, so if you're planning an evening return, look carefully at the last departure.
- Who it suits — Bangkokers with a short break, anyone coming up for work and adding a trip, or people who'd rather not face a long road journey.
Cheap-ticket tip
Low-cost fares climb fast as the travel date nears, so if your plans are firm, booking 2–4 weeks ahead usually lands a better price. And don't forget to check whether the fare already includes checked baggage.
Northern train line — straight downtown
Phitsanulok sits on the northern railway line (Bangkok–Chiang Mai), and nearly every train on this route stops here. The big draw is that the station is right downtown — you can walk to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai), the markets and the Nan riverside without a long transfer. Fares start at around 226 THB and go up depending on class and train type.
- Overnight special express — leaves Bangkok in the evening, and you wake up in Phitsanulok in the morning, saving a night's accommodation. Great if you don't mind sleeping on the train.
- Daytime rapid / express — you get views of the upper central plains' rice fields, taking around 5–7 hours depending on the train.
- Book ahead — you can reserve online through the State Railway's D-Ticket system. Sleeper berths fill quickly over long weekends, so book early.
- Walkable on arrival — it's about 1–1.5 km from the station to Wat Yai and the markets, or you can grab a songthaew or a Grab.
Coaches and minivans — frequent and flexible
If you want to pick your own departure time, coaches run the most frequently. Several operators work the Bangkok–Phitsanulok route from Mo Chit 2 bus terminal, day and night. Fares start at around 320–450 THB depending on the operator and coach standard (Class 1 / VIP), with a journey of around 5–6 hours.
- You arrive at Phitsanulok bus terminal — it's a little out of town, so take a songthaew or a Grab into the hotel district from there.
- You can book online in advance — through the usual coach-ticket sites, picking your seat and departure. Book ahead during festival periods.
- Minivans — these run nearby routes like Sukhothai and Phetchabun, connecting on from Phitsanulok, which is handy for hitting several provinces in one trip.
- Who it suits — travellers on a budget, or anyone who wants a wide choice of departure times.
Self-driving — the most freedom, the longest reach
Driving yourself is the best option if you're set on the out-of-town sights, because Phu Hin Rong Kla, Kaeng Sopha Waterfall and Thung Salaeng Luang are spread out and public transport doesn't reach them. The main route from Bangkok is Highway 32 (the Asia Highway) through Ayutthaya and Nakhon Sawan, then onto Highway 117 straight into Phitsanulok, taking around 5 hours.
Driving around Phitsanulok itself is easy — wide roads and parking isn't hard to find. But if you're heading up to Nakhon Thai and Phu Hin Rong Kla, you'll need to be ready for mountain roads.
Phitsanulok city → Nakhon Thai → Phu Hin Rong Kla
Driving up Phu Hin Rong Kla safely
The climb from the Nakhon Thai side is less steep than the Phu Thap Boek side, but it's still a long mountain road. Fill up the tank before you head up, check your brakes and tyres, use a low gear on the way down, and avoid driving at night or in thick fog. It gets busy in the cool season, so go early.
Getting around Phitsanulok
Getting around town is easy enough — the main sights like Wat Yai, the markets and the Nan riverside are close together and walkable, and for the spots further out there are a few options.
Songthaew / red four-wheelers
These run set routes around town for a cheap fare. Good if you're not in a rush and want a bit of local flavour — just check your destination with the driver before getting on.
Grab / app-hailed taxis
Phitsanulok has Grab available, which is handy at night or when you're hauling luggage — though at busy times you may wait a while. Popular pickup spots are the train station, the airport and Central mall.
Car / motorbike rental
There are several rental companies in town and at the airport, which suits anyone heading out of town or up into the hills. Check the insurance and the vehicle's condition before you take it.
- City only — walking plus the occasional Grab is plenty; no need for a car.
- Airport / station into town — Grab or a rental is easiest, it's a short hop and the fare isn't expensive.
- Heading to Phu Hin Rong Kla / waterfalls — you'll want your own car or a rental, since public transport isn't convenient.
Plan a full Phitsanulok trip
See the Phitsanulok guide →