🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First, get the lay of the land. Uttaradit town (Mueang district, the Tha It area) is small and walkable, but most of the sights people come for are in other districts. Laplae is about 8 km from town, while Sirikit Dam and Ban Nam Phi are 55–60 km out and in different directions. That makes transport planning more important here than in your average tourist town.
Coming from Bangkok — train or bus?
Uttaradit sits right on the northern railway line (Bangkok–Chiang Mai), so nearly every train heading north stops here. It's about 470 km from Bangkok, and both train and bus take a similar 6–7 hours, so choose based on comfort and the departure time that suits you.
By train — relax on the ride, wake up right on time
The train is many people's favourite way to reach Uttaradit, since there are both daytime services and overnight sleepers to choose from. You get off at Uttaradit Railway Station (Soi Chuenrudi, Tha It subdistrict), which is right in town, so you walk straight out to the hotels and restaurants of the Tha It area without needing another ride into the centre.
2nd-class air-con sleeper (overnight)
Board in Bangkok in the evening, sleep on the train, and arrive in Uttaradit anywhere from before dawn to mid-morning. You save a night's accommodation and get a full day of sightseeing, making this the most time-efficient option if you're short on leave.
2nd-class air-con seater (daytime)
Reclining seats and cool air-con, great if you want to watch the rice fields and northern mountains roll by along the way. Pick an early departure and you'll arrive in the afternoon, in good time to check in.
3rd-class (fan)
The cheapest option, with harder seats and no air-con. Best for budget backpackers who can handle the heat. These trains stop at more stations, so they're a touch slower.
Book ahead
2nd-class sleeper berths fill up fast on long weekends and holidays. Book several days in advance through the D-Ticket app or the railway website (dticket.railway.co.th) and you'll snag a lower berth, which is comfier than an upper one. The prices above are rough ranges, so double-check the real fare when you book.
By bus — frequent departures, easy to fit your schedule
If the train you wanted is sold out, or you'd rather fine-tune your departure time, the bus is a solid option. Catch it at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal (Bangkok) and get off at Uttaradit Provincial Bus Terminal. It also takes around 6–7 hours.
- BKS 999 — the regular operator on the northern route, with both standard coaches and the roomier M.4 a/b classes, running several times a day and night.
- Nakhonchai Air — air-con coaches with wide seats and a premium level of service, good if you'll pay a bit more for comfort.
- Approximate fares — about THB 405–480 depending on class and operator. You can book ahead online through sites like BusOnlineTicket or 12Go.
Driving yourself works too
From Bangkok, take Highway 32 then 11, pass through Phitsanulok, and into Uttaradit — about 470 km, and 6 hours or more depending on traffic. The upside is that once you arrive you can get straight out to the sights in your own car, with no rental to arrange.
Getting around the province — a car is the answer
Here's where we'll be straight with you: Uttaradit is not a province where public transport gets you around easily. In town there are songthaews and motorcycle taxis for short hops, and you can sometimes get a Grab in the urban area, though cars are scarce and the wait is long. Once you head out to Sirikit Dam or Ban Nam Phi, 55–60 km away, there's barely any direct public transport. To see things properly, you really need your own vehicle.
Self-drive rental
Sedans and eco-cars start around THB 900–1,200 a day, with SUVs costing more. There are rental shops in town, and you can also pick up a car at Phitsanulok Airport. Best if you're a confident driver and want to roam at your own pace.
Car or van with driver
If you're travelling as a group or don't fancy driving, you can hire a van with a driver by the day. Local drivers know the way to the dam and Nam Phi well, and split between several people it works out good value.
Day-charter songthaew / local taxi
Negotiate a full-day charter with a songthaew or local hire driver in town. Agree on the price and your stops clearly before you set off. Best if you'd rather not drive and only have a few places to see.
If you really have no car
Pick a hotel in town around the Tha It area and explore the centre on foot, then add a day-charter trip to Laplae out and back (it's only 8 km away, so the charter fee is cheap). Save the more distant Sirikit Dam and Ban Nam Phi for their own dedicated charter days — that beats forcing your way through multiple transfers.
Getting to Laplae — the closest and easiest add-on
Laplae is just about 8 km from town — under 20 minutes' drive to the Laplae town gateway arch. From there you can work through the Laplae town museum, the morning market, the fruit orchards, and Mae Phun Waterfall a little further in, all in one trip. It's a great place to start if you've just arrived and want something gentle first.
- The route — from town, take Highway 102 then turn onto the Laplae road; it's well signposted and easy to follow.
- If you have no car — charter a songthaew or motorcycle taxi for the round trip; it's a short distance so the fee isn't high. Agree the price before you go.
- Timing — half a day in Laplae is about right. Go in the morning to catch the market and orchards while it's still cool.
Getting to Sirikit Dam — a full-day trip
Sirikit Dam is in Tha Pla district, about 58 km from town. Drive along Highway 1045 (the Sirikit Dam–Tha Pla road) and it takes a little over an hour. It's an earth-fill dam across the Nan River, with lovely wide views of the crest and reservoir, plus viewpoints and EGAT accommodation on site. Set it aside as a full-day trip, since the round trip alone comes to nearly 120 km.
- The route — head out of town towards Tha Pla on Highway 1045, with Sirikit Dam signs along the way. The final stretch is a bit of a hill climb, so take the bends carefully.
- You need a car — there's barely any direct public transport to the dam. The realistic options are a self-drive rental or a day charter with a driver.
- Allow time — the round trip plus walking around the dam eats up most of the day. Leave early for nicer light and to avoid driving back after dark.
Getting to Ban Nam Phi / Nam Phi iron pits
Ban Nam Phi, in Nam Phi subdistrict of Thong Saen Khan district, is about 56 km from town. It's an ancient source of Nam Phi iron, believed to have been forged into sacred swords presented to Thai kings. There's a local museum at the Nam Phi iron pits showing how iron was smelted in the old way, and the Bo Phra Saeng and Bo Phra Khan pits are the main draws. The story runs deep but few visitors make it out here, so it suits history buffs.
- Opposite direction to the dam — Nam Phi is in Thong Saen Khan district, a different route from Sirikit Dam, so split them into separate days. Don't try to combine the two in one day.
- You need a car — like the dam, public transport doesn't reach it, so rely on a rental car or a day charter with a driver.
- Pair it up nearby — along the Thong Saen Khan road there are spots to stop for food and field views, which keeps the trip from getting dull.
Two sample transport plans
If you still can't quite picture how to sort out transport, here are two plans that actually work — the first for those renting a car to drive themselves, the second for those who won't drive.
Arrive + half a day in Laplae (with a car)
Full-day trip to Sirikit Dam (with a car)
Without driving yourself
Plan your whole Uttaradit trip across the province
See the Uttaradit travel guide →