Phetchaburi, a gateway province before you enter the south of Thailand, is one of the most popular beach vacation destinations among the Thais. Due to how close it is to Bangkok and its infinite coastline along the Gulf of Thailand, you will find plenty of opportunities to relax by the beach as well as get close to nature and learn more about the unique seafaring culture of the people here.
Below, you will find a complete travel guide and a list of the very best things to do in Phetchaburi, from beautiful beaches to stunning temples and palaces you shouldn't miss. Without further ado, here are the 10 best things to do in Phetchaburi for solo travelers, all laid out on a map below:
- Phetchaburi Things To Do Itinerary Map
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10 Best Things to Do in Phetchaburi
- Hike Around Tham Khao Yoi Temple Cave
- Be Amazed at Tham Khao Luang Cave
- Check Out the View from Phra Nakhon Khiri
- Stroll Around Wat Mahathat Worawihan
- Check Out the Old Ruins of Wat Kamphaeng Laeng and Wat Phai Lom
- Go For A Walk Around Laem Phak Bia's Mangrove Forests
- Relax At Chao Samran Beach
- Swim in the Ocean at Cha-Am Beach
- Explore Kaeng Krachan National Park
- Visit Hua Hin
- More Phetchaburi Activities
- Where to Stay in Phetchaburi?
- What to Eat and Drink in Phetchaburi?
- Thailand Travel Video
- When to Visit Phetchaburi?
- How to Get to Phetchaburi?
- How to Get Around Phetchaburi?
- How Many Days To Spend in Phetchaburi?
- How Much Money Do I Need For Phetchaburi?
- Is it Safe in Phetchaburi?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
- What to Pack for Phetchaburi?
- Further Reading for Central Thailand
Phetchaburi Things To Do Itinerary Map
10 Best Things to Do in Phetchaburi
1. Hike Around Tham Khao Yoi Temple Cave
If you are coming from Bangkok, one of the first tourist attractions you will encounter in Phetchaburi is Tham Khao Yoi, a temple built on the foothill of Khao Yoi mountain that you can see straight from the highway for miles away.
At Tham Khao Yoi temple, right at the foot of the mountain, you will find a pair of stairs leading up into a cave through 2 Kinaree architectural style gates. Once inside, you will be greeted with a large reclining Buddha statue, as well as several other Buddha images scattered throughout the cave that you can walk around in.
You can clearly see that the temple and all its decors were, in fact, brought over into the cave constructed within, as there is no way they can fit the massive reclining Buddha image in from the small entrance.
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- Sam Roi Yod National Park & Praya Nakhon Cave Join Group Tour (7 hours)
There is also a hiking trail up Khao Yoi Mountain, where it will take you to 2 secluded caverns atop the mountain. One is called Tham Sawan (Heaven Cave), which takes about 15 minutes to hike to.
Even though the entrance to Tham Sawan looks really sketchy with a small but steep metal stair leading you down a small hole, once you are inside, you will be greeted with a small, beautiful secluded cavern - perfect for hiding from the heat after the hike.
If you continue along the trail past Tham Sawan, you will find another cavern. But this time, it's much larger, and there is a big Buddha image in the middle of it.
The final cavern is definitely more beautiful than Tham Sawan and really made the hike worth it for me. In the middle of the cavern, you will find this colorful seated Buddha image that stands radiantly tall as the light shines through from above.
You can clearly see that not many people come up here, as the Buddha image is losing its colors and the umbrella above is falling into disrepair. Nevertheless, it is a fun hike with a rewarding scene to enjoy when you are at Tham Khao Yoi Temple.
Technically, the temple and the main cave itself are open from 7 AM to 4 PM, but there is no gate for the hike to the other 2 caves, and you can do it anytime you want. Just be careful, as the caves are extremely dark without daylight. The temple is free to enter for anyone, foreign or Thai.
2. Be Amazed at Tham Khao Luang Cave
Tham Khao Luang is probably one of the most beautiful and easily accessible caves in Thailand. The temple cave is located just north of Phetchaburi City, and once inside, you will find a huge cavern with more than 170 Buddha images and stupas all lined up along the cavern's walls as the sunlight shines through from above.
It sure is quite a sight to behold, and to make the best of your visit, I highly recommend you get there between 10 - 11 AM. That's when you will get the best light, as the sun should be right above the ceiling hole, creating beautiful sun rays that illuminate the entire cavern.
Tham Khao Luang Cave's opening hours are between 9 AM and 4 PM every day. Once you arrive, you will have to park your car at the nearby temple and pay 20 THB for the entrance ticket and 10 THB for a transfer to the cave entrance.
3. Check Out the View from Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang)
When you arrive in Phetchaburi City, the first thing you will notice is the presence of Khao Wang mountain right at the center of the city, and atop that mountain, you will find Phra Nakhon Khiri, a royal palace turned museum that you can go up and explore.
To get up there, you will have to park your car and take a light rail at The Light Rail Transit Station on the foothill of the mountain. Once you are at the top, there are several points of interest you can explore.
It can take from 1 hour to 3 hours, depending on how much you want to explore. The main part of Phra Nakhon Khiri is the residential area, which has since been turned into a museum where you will be able to get a glimpse of what it was like to live in a palace back in the day.
There are several rooms you can walk around in the residential area, and it should take around 15 minutes to complete the loop. Unfortunately, you can't take photos inside the palace, and you will have to make sure that you are dressed appropriately, like having your pants covering your knees and your shirt covering your shoulders. Otherwise, you can borrow scarves from the entrance and return them when you are done.
For other areas, you do not have to follow any dress code, and you are free to explore and take photos however you like. There are several places to see atop Khao Wang that you shouldn't miss, like the old white castle with a blend of European colonial and Thai architectural styles.
There is also an observatory you can climb up to, where you will be able to get a stunning panoramic view of Phetchaburi city and its surrounding landscapes.
You can walk even further and visit the Red Pagoda and Phra Sutthasela Chedi that you can see from the observatory's viewpoint, which should take about 30 minutes. There is quite a lot to see up there, so be sure to spare around 1-3 hours.
Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang)'s opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 4 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 150 THB for foreigners or 50 THB for Thais, plus an additional 20 THB for a light rail roundtrip up and down the mountain.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
4. Stroll Around Wat Mahathat Worawihan
If you have been traveling in Thailand for a while now, you will start to notice a common trend when it comes to temple names in Thailand. "Mahathat" is often used as a name for temples that are considered royal and the principal temple of a city, and you can find one in Phetchaburi as well.
Wat Mahathat Worawihan is the main temple of Phetchaburi, and it is located right at the center of the city, just across the Phetchaburi river from the old morning market.
The temple was built in the 12th-13th century, and it comprises several pagodas and buildings. The main five large pagodas, all painted white, are the most prominent among them. They are the most well-known landmarks of the city.
You will find many locals at the temple making merit and burning incense sticks throughout the day, especially on weekends. It is a great place to stop by as you explore the old riverside morning market nearby. You can also park your car at the temple for free. Wat Mahathat Worawihan opens from 6 AM to 5 PM every day, and as usual, there is no entrance fee here.
5. Check Out the Old Ruins of Wat Kamphaeng Laeng and Wat Phai Lom
Not too far from Wat Mahathat Worawihan and the morning market, you will also find Wat Kamphaeng Laeng and Wat Phai Lom, the old remnants of the expansive influence of the Khmer Empire that reigned over this part of Thailand in the 12th century.
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, especially, is considered to be the oldest structure in Phetchaburi. Although it is pretty small compared to other old Khmer ruins in Thailand, it is still worth a visit if you are interested in the history of this region.
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng is definitely the larger of the two, but at Wat Phai Lom, you can still appreciate the beautiful handicraft patterns on its well-preserved facade, which is worth a look if you love history. Both temples are open 24/7 every day, and there are no entrance fees for both foreigners and Thais to visit.
6. Go For A Walk Around Laem Phak Bia's Mangrove Forests
So when are we going to talk about beaches? We are on the coast after all. Well, almost, but not quite yet. Before we hit the beach, I would recommend you go and walk the Mangrove Forests trail, a trail built as part of a royal project inside the Laem Phak Bia Environment Research facility to preserve these valuable mangrove trees and educate people on their importance.
The trail is free to enter, and along it, you will be able to observe these unique mangrove trees up close, as well as all the marine life that relies on them. At the end of the trail, you will find a wooden walk path that extends over the ocean, providing a nice viewpoint of the ocean and the mangrove forests. The trail opens between 8 AM and 6 PM every day, and it is free to enter.
7. Relax At Chao Samran Beach
If you are looking for a place to relax by the beach, the closest beach to Phetchaburi City is Chao Samran Beach, which is just 15 minutes away. Chao Samran beach is very popular among the locals here, and you will find that it gets really lively in the evening with street food carts everywhere and local families picnicking.
The beach itself is not the prettiest or the softest, but that also makes it less touristy. With such a wide sandy area, you won't have problems finding a nice, quiet place to spend the day relaxing by the beach.
8. Swim in the Ocean at Cha-Am Beach
Now, if you are looking for a nice area where you can stay by the beach, Cha-Am Beach has a ton of great accommodation options for you to choose from, as well as other tourist facilities to help you explore Phetchaburi more efficiently.
The beach is also better than Chao Samran Beach, with soft sand leading up to the sea and plenty of shaded areas for you to relax in with a glass of your favorite beer.
The price may be a little higher than other places in Phetchaburi, but you are definitely getting your money's worth from the stunning view you get here. If you are looking for a place to spend a few days by the beach in Phetchaburi, Cha-Am is definitely the perfect place to be.
9. Explore Kaeng Krachan National Park
Did you know that Phetchaburi is home to the largest national park in Thailand? The Kaeng Krachan National Park covers over 2,900 km² along the Tennesserim Hills, which create a natural western border between Thailand and Myanmar.
It is one of the best places in Thailand to go wildlife watching, as the area is well protected and the wildlife population continues to thrive. You can see all sorts of wildlife, from birds, which are quite common, to even black leopards, which are extremely rare.
You can also go camping inside the national park, which will give you a better opportunity to witness these elusive animals. There are 2 campsites in Kaeng Krachan National Park: Ban Krang Camp, which is open even during COVID, and Phanoen Thung Campsite with its stunning viewpoint. Unfortunately, Phanoen Thung Campsite is currently closed due to COVID and it looks like it will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
There is also the Kaeng Krachan Dam View Point that you can drive to without having to spend the night camping, which is quite nice as well.
Kaeng Krachan National Park's opening hours are from 6 AM to 9 AM, and the entrance fee is 300 THB for foreign adults, 200 THB for children, 100 THB for Thai adults, and 40 THB for children.
10. Visit Hua Hin
Technically, Hua Hin is located within Prachuap Khiri Khan province, but due to how close it is to Phetchaburi, it would be a shame if you came all the way here without dropping by this popular tourist attraction among the Thais.
Hua Hin is where you will find all the best beaches in Central Thailand, even better than the ones in Cha-Am. Beaches like Khao Kalok beach, Sam Roi Yot beach, and Sam Phraya Beach rarely get any tourists, but I found the beaches to be so much better down here than any of the beaches I went to in Phetchaburi.
Hua Hin is also located near Sam Roi Yot National Park, which is home to one of the most beautiful seaside mountains in the country. I can spend days just exploring all the viewpoints around Sam Roi Yot mountain and all the adventures it has to offer.
The mountain is also surrounded by lakes and lotus ponds, making it extremely photogenic no matter in which direction you are looking. Viewpoints such as this random spot I found along the scenic road and the lotus pond are some of my favorite places to visit.
Sam Roi Yot is also home to the stunning Phraya Nakhon Cave, where you will find a royal throne built inside a huge cavern, illuminated by sunlight and surrounded by trees.
Hua Hin City itself also has its charm with its popular morning market and night market and the lively tourist strip on Bintabaht Street.
All in all, if you really want a beach vacation, I highly recommend that you spend a few days in Hua Hin and drive around with a motorbike along the coastal road to explore all the beaches and mountains the area has to offer.
Where to Stay in Phetchaburi?
Accommodation in the City
Accommodation by the Beach
What to Eat and Drink in Phetchaburi?
1. Try Khao Chae at Pa Auen Street Food Stall
Have you heard of Khao Chae? Heck, I'm Thai, and I had never heard of it until now. Khao Chae is a bowl of chilled aromatic rice in water and ice with all kinds of sweet toppings that originated from Phetchaburi.
It is the type of food that you can only try in Phetchaburi, and the best place to do so is at Pa Auen Street Food Stall, located right at the corner of the intersection between Anamai Road and Matyawong Road in Phetchaburi City.
The food stall consists of only a handful of low tables and seats right on the footpath, and you won't find any parking lot here unless you park in one of the nearby temples. That is how you know that this place is legit!
For 25 THB, you can get a set of Khao Chae with sweets you can eat with. The rice is extremely aromatic, and on a hot day, a bowl of chilled rice with ice is something I never knew I needed! It almost tastes like a dessert.
If you happen to be in Phetchaburi and are looking for unique traditional food to try, be sure to drop by Pa Auen Street Food Stall. The restaurant opens from 8:30 AM to 4 PM every day.
2. Have Lunch at Mae Luan Rice and Curry
One of the best restaurants that I often frequented when I was a child, traveling between Central Thailand and Southern Thailand with my parents, is Mae Luan Rice and Curry, located right off the main highway connecting Bangkok to Phetchaburi.
The restaurant is known for its tapa-style dish, where you can choose 2-3 toppings from a selection of Thai food to go on top of a plate of rice, and it costs between 40-50 THB. The selections are all delicious, and it will give you the opportunity to try some of the Thai food you have yet to try in a smaller portion.
If you are coming from Bangkok to Phetchaburi and looking for a nice lunch spot off the highway, Mae Luan Rice and Curry is highly recommended. The restaurant opens between 6 AM and 5 PM every day.
3. Have Some Seafood For Dinner at Krua Preeyanon
Last but not least, if you are looking for a seafood restaurant to try, Krua Preeyanon restaurant is highly recommended because they serve real Thai-style fresh seafood straight from the ocean.
Dishes like Yum Tua Phu or Thai Winged Bean Salad with shrimp and Fried Sea Bass with tamarind sweet and spicy sauce are to die for. The restaurant is also not too far from Chao Samran Beach, making it a great place for dinner after a day of swimming and relaxing by the beach.
The seafood price at Krua Preeyanon can cost as low as 80 THB or go beyond 300 THB, depending on the weight, which is quite decent for what you get. The restaurant opens from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM every day.
When to Visit Phetchaburi?
The best time to visit Phetchaburi is from November to January, when the weather is cooler and less humid than other months, making it much more enjoyable to explore Phetchaburi.
That said, Thailand has suffered a lot from air pollution in recent years due to the burning season, and it is extremely prevalent during Thailand's winter period (December - January). So, even though the weather is cooler, your visibility might not be the best. Be sure to buy a face mask if you decide to visit Thailand during this time.
March - April are the hottest and most humid periods of the year, so if you can't handle heat very well, avoid visiting during this time. The air quality may be slightly better during this period, but it's not guaranteed.
All the other months are considered to be the rainy season, which, even though the weather is a little more manageable than the summer months, you will also be seeing a lot more rain which might prevent you from enjoying the outdoors. Air quality during this time should be better due to the rain.
As you can see, the best time to visit Thailand used to be during its wintertime, BUT now that the air quality is getting worse and worse, you will have to decide which is more important to you as a traveler: good weather but bad air quality or vice versa.
How to Get to Phetchaburi?
Phetchaburi is located about 130 km away from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, and, in order to get there from your home country, you are going to have to get yourself to Bangkok first.
Thankfully, Bangkok is one of the largest hubs in the region, so you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Bangkok, so you will have to rely on transit flights by Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines from the East Coast or ANA Airlines or Korean Air from the West Coast.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Thai Airways or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Bangkok. You can also choose Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates if you don't mind transiting.
From within Asia, there are several low-cost airlines offering multiple routes from many hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta to Bangkok. AirAsia is a great option as they have the most connections to Bangkok from around Asia.
To find a cheap flight to Bangkok, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
Getting From Bangkok to Phetchaburi
By Trains: You can easily reach Phetchaburi from Bangkok by train. There are around 3 trains per day that depart from Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok to Phetchaburi Train Station at 12:30, 18:30, and 19:30.
The whole journey should take around 4 hours, and the price should cost between 114 - 400 THB depending on the class you pick. You can book the train from Bangkok to Phetchaburi online here.
By Bus: You can also travel by bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Phetchaburi Bus Terminal, which leaves every hour from 11 AM to 5 PM every day. The journey should take around 2 hours and cost 120 THB per person.
By Minivan: For a faster yet still affordable option, you can also take the minivan from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Phetchaburi Bus Terminal as well. The minivan leaves every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM, and the journey should take about 1.5 hours and cost 150 THB per person.
You can also book a minivan ticket online via 12Go, which operates its own minivan services departing from 12Go Makkasan Station in Central Bangkok. It is pricier at 320 THB per person, but it is way more comfortable with fewer people compared to the public minivans.
By Car: For the fastest and most convenient way to travel to Phetchaburi, you can rent a car straight from Bangkok's airports and drive directly to Phetchaburi, which should take you about 2 hours.
Renting a car in Bangkok is pretty straightforward and should cost you around 26 USD per day. For the cheapest option, make sure to click the link below to find a cheap car rental place in Bangkok.
How to Get Around Phetchaburi?
By Rented Car: Since most tourist attractions in Phetchaburi are scattered around a large area, if you want to see them all, I highly recommend renting a car so that you can explore these remote places at your own leisure. You can rent a car in Phetchaburi or Bangkok here.
By Motorbike: If you want to rent a motorbike, I highly recommend that you stay in accommodation in Cha-Am instead. There are more motorbike rental places here than anywhere else in the province. Plus, it is right by the beach, so it's definitely a win-win for you.
You can rent a motorbike in Cha-Am at Noi’s Pit Stop rental store for around 250 THB per day or 1000 THB per week. They have several scooters to choose from, and they are all in pretty good condition.
How Many Days To Spend in Phetchaburi?
Two to three days is a great amount of time to enjoy all that Phetchaburi has to offer and a bit of Hua Hin. Here is a rough itinerary for a 3-day trip to Phetchaburi:
Day 1: Explore the tourist attractions around Phetchaburi city center such as Tham Khao Luang, Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang), and Wat Mahathat Worawihan, etc.
Day 2: Visit Kaeng Krachan National Park in the morning and spend the day relaxing at Chao Samran Beach or Cha-Am Beach, or vice versa. Alternatively, go camping inside Kaeng Krachan National Park instead.
Day 3: Spend a day exploring Hua Hin and all its beautiful beaches and mountains.
How Much Money Do I Need For Phetchaburi?
With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Phetchaburi as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights in Phetchaburi, it should cost around 48 USD (1,550 THB) for accommodation.
Food: Food costs about 50 THB on average in Phetchaburi, so you can expect to pay around 450 THB per person for 3 days.
Transportation: For transportation, if you rent a motorcycle for 3 days, you can expect to pay around 1,150 THB (750 THB for the rental fee + 400 THB for gas). You can also rent a car for 3 days, which should cost around 2,100 THB, plus another 1,000 THB for gas.
Activities: For activities, you will have to pay for the Phra Nakhon Khiri entrance fee, which is 150 THB, and 20 THB for a cable car ticket. So, in total, expect to pay 170 THB for activities and that is it.
Total Budget for 3 days in Phetchaburi: 3,320 THB (103 USD)
Is it Safe in Phetchaburi?
It is pretty safe in Phetchaburi. The locals are friendly, as you can expect from Thai people, and you won't encounter as many scammers and touts as in Bangkok. In fact, I did not see any touts the entire time I was in Phetchaburi, and I get a lot of them, as for some reason, I do not look like Thai to Thais 😅.
That said, if you choose to drive in Phetchaburi, it is my duty as a Thai to warn you that we are not the best drivers in the world. The roads are great throughout, but be aware of motorbikes and pick-up trucks that can often appear out of nowhere, and they do drive like maniacs sometimes! Just be extra careful when you are driving on Thai roads.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Phetchaburi, Thailand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Phetchaburi, Thailand:
There are 3 major carriers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, and True, all of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage. I personally use AIS as I have been with them since my first phone, and they have a lot of support centers around Thailand. Their coverage hasn't failed me yet, so if you are looking for a reliable carrier, I can recommend AIS.
There are 3 packages for tourists: 5 GB for 5 days at 160 THB, 15 GB for 8 days at 299 THB, and 30 GB for 15 days. Depending on how long your trip to Thailand will be, you can pick one of these 3 packages that fits your itinerary the most.
With these three packages, you can top up more in case you need additional data or calls for your trip. More often than not, 5 GB is more than enough for me to travel around Thailand for a month.
For more information about Thailand's local SIM card: Thailand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Phetchaburi?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Phetchaburi, Thailand:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Phetchaburi, Thailand in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Central Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Central Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Central Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
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- Wondering when the best time to visit Thailand is? Here is a complete guide on picking The Best Time to Visit Thailand.
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- Escape the bustling city of Bangkok and cycle around Bang Krachao, the green lung of Bangkok, with this travel guide: A Complete Travel Guide to Bang Krachao.
- Don't have a lot of time in Bangkok? Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
- Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in the city. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
- For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.
- Looking to escape Bangkok for a little while? How about exploring the ancient city of Ayutthaya? Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Ayutthaya for Backpackers.
- Looking for a unique place to visit that is not too far from Bangkok? How about Ratchaburi and its stunning mountains? Here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Ratchaburi.
- For the very best beaches near Bangkok, I highly recommend you visit Hua Hin, a small seaside city full of stunning mountains and secluded beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Hua Hin.
- Kanchanaburi is a great place to visit for a quick trip from Bangkok. Here are 17 Best Things to Do in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
- Here is how to visit Erawan Falls, the most beautiful waterfall in Thailand. A Complete Hiking Guide to Erawan Falls, Kanchanaburi.
- Let’s get off the beaten path and visit Sangkhlaburi, a small Mon village by the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Here are the Top 10 Things to Do in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand.
- Pilok is probably a travel destination in Thailand you have never heard of, and here is why you should visit it. Here’s The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Pilok Village.
- Have an entire week to spare and would like to go beyond the surface in Kanchanaburi and explore the less traveled route of the province? This travel guide is for you: One Week Itinerary for Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
- Nakhon Pathom offers a great day trip for those who are looking to visit some places off the tourist-beaten path in Thailand. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Pathom.
- For a quick trip from Bangkok, Lopburi is a great destination to travel to. Here are 10 Best Things to Do in Lopburi, Thailand.
- Want to escape Bangkok and be with nature for a few days? How about a 2-day trip to Saraburi? Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Saraburi, Thailand.
- Looking to do some hiking near Bangkok? Here's a One-Day Hiking Guide to Krok E-Dok Waterfall.
- Home to one of the largest Buddha images in the country, Ang Thong is worth a visit if you are interested in seeing the best of the best temples in Thailand. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Ang Thong, Thailand.
- What do you know about the brave warriors of Bang Rachan of Singburi? Well, find out for yourself with the ultimate travel guide and 8 Best Things to Do in Singburi, Thailand.
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Southern Thailand?
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about you continue on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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