Itinerary Ideas: Bangkok, Phetchaburi & Prachuap Khiri Khan by train

For this edition of our Itinerary Ideas series, we focus on the joys of slow travel with a trip by train along Thailand’s upper Gulf Coast. Using Bangkok as the departure point, this itinerary travels to Phetchaburi and then on to Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan. It’s a journey that includes elegant royal palaces, scenic national parks and classic seaside resorts. 

We’ve put together a 2-week itinerary, which can easily be extended to cover additional destinations if you have three or four weeks to spare. Start your journey with a few days in Bangkok and then:

Phetchaburi: 2 days
Cha Am: 2 days
Hua Hin: 5 days
Prachuap Khiri Khan: 3 or 4 days

If you’d like to extend your trip, we’ve also included options further below for travel by train to the quieter seaside towns of Ban Krut and Bang Saphan. This journey is by ordinary train, but the experience is anything but ordinary. 

Bangkok

The Thai capital is the starting point for your Southern Thailand rail adventure. If you’re spending a few days in Bangkok before you jump on the train, check out these links for inspiration:

• 2 days in Bangkok: What to see and do in 48 hours
• 6 of the best areas to stay in Bangkok
• Best way to travel around Bangkok
• 30 of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok

Bangkok train stations

There are a few different options for trains departing from Bangkok. For this particular itinerary, we suggest taking the ordinary train #261, which departs from Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station. 

Bangkok Hua Lamphong
On most timetables, this station is simply called ‘Bangkok’. The station is also known as Hua Lamphong and was previously the hub for long-distance trains in and out of the Thai capital. That changed in 2023 with the opening of a new railway station, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (KTA). While KTA is now the main train station for Bangkok, there are still some services that use the old station at Hua Lamphong. This includes the ordinary train #261, which travels to Phetchaburi, Cha Am, and Hua Hin. 

The ordinary trains are basic but comfortable enough for the short hops on this itinerary. With food vendors walking up and down, rickety roof fans, and a cooling breeze coming from the open windows, the ordinary train is a welcome throwback to a bygone era. The ordinary train can’t be booked in advance, and tickets need to be purchased at the station on the day of travel. Although we suggest train #261 for this itinerary, there are alternatives, which we detail below.  

To get to Bangkok Hua Lamphong you can take the MRT Metro to Hua Lamphong (station BL28 on the Blue Line).

Krung Thep Aphiwat
Bangkok’s vast new rail terminal opened in 2023.  Officially known as Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, it’s now the main terminal for long-distance trains in and out of Bangkok. Krung Thep Aphiwat (KTA) is located in the north of Bangkok near the Mo Chit northern bus terminal and Chatuchak Market. If you’re travelling by MRT metro, get off at Bang Sue (station BL11 on the Blue Line) and follow the signs up to the main terminal concourse.

For this itinerary, you could take train #43, which departs from KTA at 7.30am. This is a special express service, which means you get more comfort than the ordinary train #261 with better seats and air-conditioning. The downside for rail enthusiasts is that windows are sealed. While you can still enjoy the views, it’s not the same experience you get from the ordinary train with an open window and the breeze blowing on your face. The other disadvantage of this service is its popularity, so it’s advisable to book seats in advance. 

Thonburi
Another option for travel out of Bangkok is to take an ordinary train from Thonburi station. This station is more awkward to get to than the others, but if you’re staying near the Chao Phraya River, it’s worth considering. Ordinary train #255 departs from Thonburi at 7.20am.

Train timetables

Train timetables from SRT

Southern Line Railway Map

Phetchaburi

If you take our suggestion to board train #261, you should be pulling into Phetchaburi around 1pm. After checking into your hotel and having a quick freshen up, head out for lunch and to explore the town. 

Food enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in Phetchaburi, with the provincial capital earning the accolade of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. With its colourful street murals and vibrant food scene, Phetchaburi’s waterfront community is a wonderful area to explore on foot. You’ll find many local specialities on full display at the riverside market. Dishes like kaeng hua nod, a flavourful curry made with toddy palm, along with khanom mo gaeng, a much-loved coconut dessert. If you’d prefer some expert local advice on where to go and what to eat, take a look at Feast Thailand’s Flavours of Phetchaburi tour.

Phetchaburi has deep ties to Thai royalty and boasts several notable palaces. Among its most famous sites is Phra Nakhon Khiri, or Khao Wang, a hilltop complex commissioned by King Rama IV. From here, visitors can take in sweeping views of the city while exploring museums filled with royal relics and centuries-old murals. The palace’s hilltop setting and striking blend of Thai, European, and Chinese influences make it a distinctive landmark.

Although there is much to see and do in Phetchaburi province, for this itinerary you will only have a couple of days, and it will be easier to visit attractions in and around the city. Some locations, such as Kaeng Krachan National Park, Wildlife Friends Foundation and Marukhathaiyawan Palace, are more easily visited from Cha Am or Hua Hin.

Cha Am

After a few days enjoying local life in Phetchaburi, it’s time to travel south to the beach resort of Cha Am. Catch the ordinary train #261 from Phetchaburi just before 1pm for the 45-minute trip to Cha Am.

Even the most die-hard Cha Am fans will tell you that Cha Am beach isn’t the most attractive in Thailand. But it is one of the longest and, thanks to its proximity to Bangkok, one which is extremely popular at weekends with Thai travellers. Cha Am is an old-style seaside resort, and while you do see foreigners here, the town and its beach retain a more local vibe compared to the more cosmopolitan Hua Hin further south. Much of the joy of Cha Am is sitting in the shade on the beach and enjoying the array of food on offer. Take the opportunity to test your Thai language skills, while locals will probably want to test out their English on you.

Hua Hin

From Cha Am, hop on the tried and trusted train #241 for the 20-minute trundle to Hua Hin. Arriving around 2pm, you can check in to your hotel and then head out to explore.

It was the arrival of the Southern Railway in the 1920s which transformed Hua Hin from a fishing village to a fully-fledged seaside resort. Hua Hin welcomed a new train station in late 2023, featuring modern elevated tracks. Although the original station is no longer in use, its legacy lives on, with elements of the old design integrated into the new structure. Dating back to the 1920s, the original station is renowned for its graceful architecture and the royal waiting room, both of which have become iconic photo spots. These historic buildings are expected to be preserved, with proposals underway to convert the site into a museum.

There are several attractive beaches to choose from in Hua Hin. The most convenient beach for the train station is the main Hua Hin beach, and it is in this central Hua Hin area where you’ll find the biggest choice of hotels and guesthouses. Further south, you have the quieter beaches of Khao Takiab and Suan Son Pradiphat.

One of the main advantages of staying in Hua Hin for a little longer is the number of things to see and do away from the beach. Like Phetchaburi, the town is a great destination for foodies with several markets that are a pleasure to visit. At venues like the Night Market, Cicada Market and Patio Market, you can enjoy good-value food, listen to live music and shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs. To go where Hua Hin locals eat, try Chatchai Market or Feast Thailand’s Eat Like A Local experience.

Visitors to Thailand are often surprised to find out that there are Thai wines, and Monssson Valley in Hua Hin is the perfect location to learn more. Other locations out of town, but highly recommended, include Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and Kui Buri National Park.

• 16 of the best things to see and do in Hua Hin
• 6 of the best day trips from Hua Hin
• Feast Thailand: A foodie’s guide to Hua Hin

Prachuap Khiri Khan

From Hua Hin, continue along the coast to the delightful seaside town of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Ordinary train #255 departs Hua Hin just before midday for the 90-minute trip south to Prachuap.

Picturesque Prachuap Khiri Khan is framed by a sweeping bay, with mountains rising at either end. While the central beach is narrow and not ideal for swimming or sunbathing, it’s perfect for a leisurely walk along the wide seafront promenade. 

At the northern end of the bay, Khao Chong Krachok (Mirror Mountain) is home to a temple that provides fabulous coastal views. Getting to the top involves climbing 396 steps and encountering lots of monkeys on the way, but the views are worth it. To avoid unwanted attention from the macaques, don’t carry snacks and keep your belongings secured. If monkeys aren’t your thing, you can always enjoy a peaceful stroll along the pier, watch local fishermen at work, or simply settle into a restaurant by the promenade to take in the sea breeze and sample fresh seafood.

For a proper beach experience, head a little south to Ao Manao, where soft stretches of sand await. As the bay is located within a military base, visitors need to bring a passport to register before entering. 

The quiet roads and dedicated cycle paths in Prachuap Khiri Khan make it a great area to explore on two wheels. Cycle along the coast route to the wooden temple of Wat Ao Noi and the Reclining Buddha Cave.

Onward travel

If you would like to extend your travels beyond a fortnight, you can travel onwards from Prachuap by train to the quiet beach towns of Ban Krut, Bang Saphan Yai and Bang Saphan Noi.

Ordinary train #255 departs from Prachuap Khiri Khan just before 1.30pm and pulls into Ban Krut an hour later. From Ban Krut, the journey to Bang Saphan Yai is 20 minutes (45 minutes to Bang Saphan Noi).

If you are flexible with your time and in no rush to get back to Bangkok, you can continue exploring the Gulf Coast by train with trips to Chumphon and then on to Surat Thani. From there, you could travel by ferry to the Gulf Coast islands or head inland and travel by bus to the stunning Khao Sok National Park and then onwards to the Andaman Coast.

Buying tickets for Thai trains

Tickets for ordinary trains cannot be booked in advance; they must be purchased at the station on the day of travel and are usually on sale up to an hour before the scheduled departure. You may be asked to show your passport so keep it on hand when going to the ticket office. Seats are unreserved on the ordinary trains. Sit where you like, but please note on some carriages that there may be an area at the back reserved for monks (there will be signs in Thai and English).

If you want to travel on the special express service (maybe on the way back to Bangkok), these tickets can be booked in advance. Depending on how long your journey is, these tickets can be booked between 1-30 days in advance. Tickets can be purchased in person at any SRT train station or online via the official State Railway of Thailand (SRT) booking site here:
https://dticket.railway.co.th/DTicketPublicWeb/home/Home

Example fares
Bangkok to Phetchaburi (ordinary train): 34 Baht
Bangkok to Hua Hin (ordinary train): 44 Baht
Bangkok to Hua Hin (special express): 330 Baht
Hua Hin to Prachuap Khiri Khan (ordinary train): 19 Baht

Train schedules
https://www.railway.co.th/Home/Index
(click on Southern Line)

Train tracking 
https://ttsview.railway.co.th/v3

Krung Thep Aphiwat
If you are travelling by long-distance train in or out of Bangkok, you need to select Krung Thep Aphiwat (the new central rail terminal for Bangkok) as the arrival or destination station. On the State Railway of Thailand ticket system, if you select Bangkok, it only shows local trains from the old Bangkok Hua Lamphong station.

Good to know

• The southern line is a popular route for Thai travellers and is busy at weekends and public holidays. Travelling weekdays is a better option.
• Food and drinks are available from vendors on the ordinary trains.
• Drinking alcohol and smoking/vaping are banned on Thai trains and at stations.
• Carriages on ordinary trains are 3rd class with unreserved seats.
• Carriages on special express trains are 2nd class with reserved seats.

This itinerary is suitable for any time of the year. The coolest weather is from November to February. March-May are the hottest months, and September and October are the wettest.

Useful links:

• Exploring Thailand by train
• State Railway of Thailand (SRT) website
• SRT online ticket website
• Richard Barrow’s Thai Train Guide
• Asian train guide Facebook group 

Itinerary Ideas
This article is part of our Itinerary Ideas series. These particular itineraries are for anybody, but may appeal more to repeat visitors to Thailand looking to explore different destinations on their next trip or anyone seeking meaningful travel experiences. If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand or looking for more ideas of where to go and what to do, check out these articles too:
2-week Thailand itinerary
3-week Thailand itinerary
4-week Thailand itinerary

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