Phetchaburi from Bangkok: Khao Wang, Tham Khao Luang and the Train
Phetchaburi (or Phetburi) is a historic town about 130 km south-west of Bangkok, on the road to Hua Hin. It is dominated by a hill crowned with a royal palace, has one of the finest cave temples in the country and keeps old temples with ancient murals, far from the crowds of the classic excursions. It is an easy day for anyone who wants to see provincial Thailand without a long journey: about two hours by bus each way. This guide gives a one-day itinerary, the ways to get there and the prices recorded in October 2026. Prices and times change: confirm them on the spot or, for the train, with the SRT (tel. 1690). ## Phetchaburi at a glance: who it suits, how long  The town stretches along the Phetchaburi River. The three main visits are a few kilometres apart: the **Phra Nakhon Khiri palace** on Khao Wang hill, the **Wat Mahathat Worawihan** temple in the town centre, and the **Tham Khao Luang** cave north of town. A tuk-tuk or a songthaew hired for the day links the three easily; by bicycle the heat makes the day tiring. One day is enough. Leave early to finish before the afternoon heat: November to February, the dry and cooler season, is the most pleasant (see the best time to visit Bangkok). Phetchaburi also combines with a stop in Hua Hin or, the other way round, with Nakhon Pathom on the way out. ## Getting to Phetchaburi from Bangkok ### By bus or minivan This is the simplest. Buses and minivans leave the Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai) at regular intervals; the journey takes about two hours by bus and one and a half to two hours by minivan, depending on traffic. The bus ticket cost about 120 baht and the minivan about 150 baht according to our October 2026 notes: ask the price at the counter. To return, minivans leave for Bangkok until late afternoon: check the last departure before you wander off from the centre. ### By train The train is slower, about four hours, but more picturesque; it stops at Phetchaburi station, close to the centre. The fare depends on the class and type of train (around a hundred baht in third class). Many long-distance trains now leave from the central station **Krung Thep Aphiwat** (Bang Sue Grand Station): check the departure station and times on the SRT website. See also our guide to train excursions from Bangkok. ### By car with driver About two hours on the road. A car lets you chain the three sites and add a stop at Nakhon Pathom; agree the price before leaving. See our transport in Bangkok guide. If you prefer to drive yourself, you can compare car rentals. ## Summary table: Bangkok–Phetchaburi | Mode | Departure | Approximate time | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | Bus | Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai) | about 2 h | Small budgets | | Minivan | Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai) | 1 h 30 to 2 h | Most travellers | | Train | Krung Thep Aphiwat station | about 4 h | Train lovers | | Car with driver | Door to door | about 2 h | Families, groups, stops on the way | Indicative times, very variable with traffic. ## What to see in Phetchaburi ### Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang) King Rama IV (Mongkut) had a summer palace built in the mid-19th century on Khao Wang hill, which overlooks the town. Several Thai and European-style pavilions follow one another along the ridge, up to a white stupa at the top and a temple. You climb on foot by a stairway path or by cable car. The entrance ticket cost 200 baht for a foreign adult and the cable car 80 baht return; the site opens around 8:30 am and closes around 4 pm. **The hill's macaques are numerous and thieving**: carry nothing visible in your hands, do not feed them and do not stare at them. Allow two to three hours including the climb. ### Wat Mahathat Worawihan  The town's main temple, one of the oldest in the region, is recognisable by its large central Khmer-style prang, surrounded by galleries and small buildings. The sanctuary holds murals and old Buddhas. Entry is free; the temple opens early in the morning and closes in late afternoon. Modest dress required: shoulders and knees covered (see places of worship in Bangkok for the usual rules). ### Tham Khao Luang About five kilometres north of town, this limestone cave shelters dozens of Buddha statues. A staircase leads down to a large chamber lit by an opening in the vault: midday light is the most beautiful. Entry cost about 20 baht, with a small extra for the shuttle according to our source; macaques live here too. Wear shoes that do not slip too much: the floor is damp. ### The old centre, markets and sweets The town centre keeps small streets of old houses and markets. The province is known for its palm sugar and desserts made with eggs and coconut, sold in roadside shops: a good excuse for a stop at the end of the visit. ## A one-day itinerary 1. **7 am**: minivan from the Southern bus terminal; arrival around 9 am. 2. **9 am**: Khao Wang (Phra Nakhon Khiri), preferably by cable car on the way up. 3. **12 noon**: lunch in the centre, then Wat Mahathat Worawihan. 4. **2 pm**: Tham Khao Luang, for the light in the cave. 5. **4 pm**: back to town for the last minivan. If you like nature, the area also has Kaeng Krachan National Park and, further south, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. For other day trips, see our best day trips from Bangkok and the nature excursions. ## Stay overnight or continue to Hua Hin? Phetchaburi can be seen in a day, but a night lets you see the hill at sunset and leave unhurried the next day. If you carry on to the sea, Hua Hin is about an hour further south by road: the train stops there. Book your hotel in advance over Thai long weekends.
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