🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This trip is built mainly for people driving themselves, because public transport between Tak and Lampang only runs a few buses a day — driving gives you much better control over your time. The main route is Highway 1 (Phahonyothin), heading north from Tak town through Thoen and Sop Prap districts into Lampang town. That's roughly 134–184 km depending on your exact start and end points, and about two and a half to three hours of driving. The stretch through the hills has some curves and ups and downs, so it's more relaxing to drive in daylight.
This is a 3-day, 2-night plan — one night in Tak, one in Lampang. If you're short on time you can cut the first day and start straight in Lampang. We've kept each day fairly loose, leaving room to stop at cafés, take photos, and just sit and watch the town go by, which is really the main charm of both places.
Day 1 — Tak town: walk the old Chinese quarter, pay respects by the river
Tak: the old town on the Ping River
Why start in Tak
A lot of people skip Tak town and rush straight to Mae Sot or the waterfalls. But if you're crossing over to Lampang anyway, stopping for one night in Tak keeps your driving day from getting too long — and you get to see an old town that most travelers don't know about yet.
Book the activities in your Tak 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 — Drive Highway 1 up to Lampang, stop for the elephants, hit Kad Kong Ta
Today is the cross-province driving day. Leave a little early so you have time to stop along the way. The most worthwhile stop is the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Hang Chat district, which sits just before Lampang town. Driving up from Tak puts you around there by midday — perfect timing.
Tak → Hang Chat → Lampang town
About Kad Kong Ta
Kad Kong Ta only becomes a walking street on Saturday and Sunday nights. If you want to experience it in full, try to line up your second night with a Saturday or Sunday — the atmosphere is a lot livelier.
Day 3 — Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and rooster-bowl ceramics before heading home
Lampang: real Lanna before you part ways
If you have more time, Lampang also has Chae Son National Park with hot springs to soak in, and Kiew Lom Dam for a boat ride. On the Tak side, if you want to add a nature leg, there are routes out to Mae Sot and waterfalls in the western part of the province. This 3-day plan focuses on the two old-town cores — stretch it as far as your energy allows.
Rough budget per person (self-drive)
- 2 nights' lodging — mid-range hotel/guesthouse, 1 night in Tak + 1 in Lampang, about ฿1,200–2,400 (cheaper if you split a double room)
- Fuel + tolls — roughly ฿900–1,500 per car for the whole trip, depending on your vehicle and starting point
- Entry + activities — elephant center ~฿100 + horse cart ~฿150–300 per ride + temple donations as you wish
- Food — about ฿600–1,200 over 3 days if you mostly eat at local spots
- Rough total — ฿2,500–4,500 per person; the more people you travel with, the cheaper the split
Don't slip up
Don't cram the last day too tightly — you still need energy for the drive home. If you have a long way to go, leaving Lampang before 2 p.m. gets you to your destination before dark. Driving the hills at night with poor visibility isn't fun.
Check out places to stay in Tak before you set off
Top 10 Hotels in Tak →