Getting to Phrae
Every Route + Around Town

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Phrae is a small, relaxed city — the old town fits neatly inside the municipality and is easy to cover on foot or by bike. But the province is a fair distance from Bangkok, so planning your transport well from the start saves both time and money. This guide is split into two parts: getting to Phrae (from Bangkok) and getting around Phrae (once you're there).

Overview: Which Route to Phrae?

Quick summary: if you want to save money and don't mind an overnight journey, the overnight bus is the best value — you wake up already in town. If you prefer the train experience, take the northern line to Den Chai station and connect from there by shared taxi (~24 km). Flying directly to Phrae isn't possible right now, so the fastest air option is flying into Lampang or Chiang Mai and driving the rest.

Overnight Bus from Bangkok — The Popular Choice

The bus is how most people get to Phrae. Services depart from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), mostly in the evening and late night. Overnight runs arrive at Phrae's city bus terminal in the early morning — you step off right in the center of town, no connection needed.

• Sombat Tour — the major northern operator, runs Supreme and Super First Class coaches with evening departures around 20:30–21:05, arriving in Phrae around 04:35–05:10. Wide seats ideal for sleeping.
• Nakhon Nan Tour / Cherdchai Tour — offer additional departures at lower starting prices; standard-class seats.
• Approximate fares — from around ฿470 for standard class up to roughly ฿600–650 for First Class (1+2 seat layout).
• Book ahead — seats fill fast on long weekends. Book online via Sombat Tour's site, BusOnlineTicket, or 12Go for peace of mind.

Train — Alight at Den Chai, Then Transfer

A common misconception is that the train goes into Phrae town — it doesn't. No railway line passes through Mueang Phrae district. The closest station, and the one that serves as Phrae's rail gateway, is Den Chai Station, approximately 534 km from Bangkok and about 9–10 hours depending on the service. From Den Chai you'll need a 24 km transfer into the city.

• Popular services — northern express and rapid trains that stop at Den Chai include both daytime runs and overnight sleeper services. Book via the D-Ticket app or the SRT website.
• Approximate fares — 3rd class from around ฿250; 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper up to around ฿700–900.
• Den Chai to Phrae city — shared songthaews wait at the station for every incoming train. Fare is around ฿50/person to Phrae bus terminal; journey around 40–45 min.
• Other options from Den Chai — local minivans and motorbike/car rental shops near the station. Useful if you plan to start exploring independently straight away.

Self-Drive from Bangkok

Driving gives you the most freedom — especially if you plan to explore multiple districts or continue to Nan. The main route is Highway 1 (Phahonyothin) north, then Highway 11 via Nakhon Sawan–Phitsanulok–Uttaradit–Den Chai, then into Phrae. Total distance around 550 km; driving time roughly 7–8 hours not counting breaks.

• Rest stops — Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok are both easy places to refuel, use facilities, and grab food. The stretch from Den Chai up to Phrae involves a gentle hill climb but nothing steep.
• Departure timing — leaving Bangkok before dawn puts you in Phrae by early afternoon, giving you time to walk the old town on the same day.
• Parking in the old town — traffic in Phrae is light and parking near temples and Kham Luang Palace is straightforward.
• Worth a detour — between Den Chai and Phrae city you pass near Phae Mueang Phi (the earth pillar formations) and Ban Thung Hong (mor hom indigo fabric village) — easy to build into the drive.

Getting Around Town — Motorbike, Bicycle & Local Transport

Good news once you're in Phrae: the old town is compact and quiet. Roads are flat, traffic is light, and it's easy to get around without a private vehicle. Main attractions in the municipality — Kham Luang Palace, Ban Wongburi, Wat Jom Sawan, and Wat Phra Bat Ming Mueang — are all within walking or cycling distance of each other.

Day Trips Outside the City

Some of Phrae's highlights sit outside the municipality and need a bit of planning. Wat Phra That Cho Hae is about 9 km east of the city center; Phae Mueang Phi (the earth pillar formations) is roughly 12 km in the opposite direction. Without your own wheels, a rental motorbike is the most practical and economical solution.

• Wat Phra That Cho Hae — ~9 km east of the city center; rental motorbike or charter a round-trip ride.
• Phae Mueang Phi — ~12 km in the opposite direction from Cho Hae; best treated as a separate trip or combined with other outlying sites in a full-day charter.
• Ban Thung Hong (Mor Hom fabric village) — ~4 km from the city center, the closest outlying attraction. Easy to reach by bike or motorbike.
• Charter a driver — if you only have one day and want to hit several sites, hiring a vehicle with driver for a half or full day is better value than booking individual rides.

Onward Travel from Phrae

Phrae sits at a convenient crossroads in the north. From Phrae bus terminal, minivans and buses run to Nan (~2 hrs), Lampang (~2 hrs), Phayao, and Chiang Rai. Many visitors combine Phrae with Nan or Lampang in a single northern loop.