🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
What makes this trip work is that you cover three completely different vibes without driving far — mountain waterfalls and temple grounds in Saraburi, then centuries-old Khmer ruins and colonial-era mansions in Lopburi, and finally a valley full of yellow sunflowers closing things out. It's a solid two-day escape for Bangkok locals who don't want to burn vacation days, or anyone who enjoys driving a scenic route.
One honest heads-up before you plan: Lopburi's sunflower fields only bloom in winter, roughly late November through mid-January. Outside that window, the plots are bare farmland or planted with other crops. The Saraburi day-one sights and Lopburi's historical old city are worth visiting year-round, so coming outside sunflower season is still a good trip — just don't plan around the flowers.
Trip Overview & Getting There
- Distances — Bangkok to Saraburi city: ~110 km (about 1.5 hrs) · Saraburi to Lopburi city centre: ~45 km (45 min–1 hr)
- Own car recommended — This is the easiest way to do this trip. Attractions are spread out, and the sunflower fields in particular are hard to reach by public transport.
- No car? — Take the Northern Line train to Lopburi station. The old city sights are all walkable from there. For the sunflower fields you'll need to hire a local taxi or songthaew for a half-day.
- Accommodation — Overnight in Lopburi city or near Mueang Kaew (close to Pa Sak Dam), depending on where you finish day one.
Book the activities in your Saraburi 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 1 — Saraburi: Temple, Waterfall, Dairy Farm
Saraburi Side — Phra Phutthabat, Waterfalls & the Dairy Farm
Pick your overnight spot based on day-two plans
If you want to catch the sunflower fields at sunrise on day two, stay near Lopburi or close to Pa Sak Dam. That way you can be there by 8 a.m. without a 4 a.m. alarm.
Day 2 — Lopburi: Old City & Sunflower Fields
Lopburi Side — Lavo Ruins, Monkeys & Yellow Fields
What you need to know about the monkeys before you go
The macaques around Phra Prang Sam Yot and Lopburi train station are fast and clever. Don't carry visible food bags or water bottles, tuck away glasses, hats, and phones, and close your car windows if you park anywhere in the old city.
When the Sunflower Fields Actually Bloom
This is the part many visitors get wrong. The Lopburi sunflower fields are not a year-round attraction — they follow a winter planting cycle, generally blooming from late November through mid-January. Individual plots don't all peak at the same time; some may be fading while others are just opening up. Before you go, check the farm's social pages or ask locally which plots are currently at their best.
- Khao Chin Lae / Nikhom Sang Ton-eng zone — Large fields covering hundreds of rai with mountain backdrops; the go-to photo spot.
- Roadside plots along Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, Phatthana Nikhom district — Fields scattered in patches along the road; nice to drive through as a route. Dam open 06:30–18:00.
- Best time of day — 8–10 a.m. The flowers face the morning light and temperatures are still comfortable. By late morning it's bright, hot, and busier.
- Entry fees — Most plots charge around THB 20–30 per person. Some offer bicycle or tram rentals inside the fields.
Adjusting the Plan for Your Group
Travelling with kids
Prioritise the dairy farm and Chet Sao Noi waterfall on day one. On day two, pick a sunflower plot with bikes to rent — kids enjoy pedalling through the fields far more than touring old temples all day.
History buffs
Give Lopburi a full day. Take your time at all four sites: Phra Prang Sam Yot, Vichayen House, Narai Ratchaniwet Palace, and Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat. None of them rush well.
No car — train option
Take the Northern Line to Lopburi station and walk the entire old city circuit — everything is close. For the sunflower fields, hire a local taxi or tuk-tuk for a half-day return trip.
Rough Budget
- Entrance fees for the whole trip — Temples, old-city sites, and sunflower plots combined: roughly THB 100–200 per person (Thai nationals).
- One night's accommodation — Guesthouses and small hotels start around THB 600–900; mid-range around THB 1,200–2,000/night.
- Food — Around THB 60–150 per person per meal. Eating in both towns is genuinely affordable.
- Petrol / transport — Bangkok round trip by car: roughly THB 700–1,000 per vehicle, depending on route and number of stops.
Looking for a place to stay on night one of this trip?
See Top 10 Hotels in Saraburi →