I arrived in Phitsanulok on the overnight train from Bangkok, stiff from the sleeper berth and blinking into the morning, and the first thing I noticed was that I could basically fall out of the carriage and into the city. There’s none of the long taxi haul you get at some Thai stations — Phitsanulok Railway Station sits right in the middle of town, a short walk from the Nan River, the night market and a wall of cheap noodle shops. Parked out front is a black steam locomotive built in Glasgow back in 1919, which tells you how long trains have been rolling through here. For most travellers this is really the gateway to Sukhothai: there’s no railway to the old capital itself, so you get off here and jump on a bus for the last hour. Below is everything you need to plan your trip through “Philok,” as the locals shorten it.
Station Information
- Address: Phitsanulok Railway Station, Nai Mueang, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok 65000 — right in the city centre.
- Phone: +66 55 258 005 (station) or the SRT hotline 1690.
- Opening hours: Trains run through around the clock, with the first services passing after midnight and the last around 23:00. Ticket counters are open from early morning until late evening.
- ID required: Yes — bring your passport (or Thai ID card) when buying tickets. Staff will ask for it.
- Facilities: Toilets on Platform 1 (a few baht per visit), a parcels/cargo office, a left-luggage counter, and a handful of small shops and food stalls inside the building and along Platform 1. Because you’re in the heart of town, there are far more restaurants, cafes, 7-Elevens and ATMs within a couple of minutes’ walk.
- Getting around: Tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis and songthaews wait outside; the city centre, riverside and most hotels are within walking or short-ride distance. Buses to Sukhothai Historical Park (about an hour away) leave from Phitsanulok’s bus terminals.
- Nearest highlights: Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai), home of the revered Phra Phuttha Chinnarat Buddha image, is about 1.5 km away; the Nan River night market is a short stroll from the station.
- Map: View on Google Maps
Phitsanulok Timetable
The times below are taken from the schedule posted at the station (effective 19 January 2023) and cross-checked against SRT listings. Thai train times do change, so please confirm with the station or the SRT hotline 1690 before you travel. Times marked (+1) fall on the next calendar day. You can also check live train positions on the SRT live tracker for Phitsanulok.
Outbound – heading north, away from Bangkok (towards Den Chai, Sila At & Chiang Mai)
| Train No. | Type | Route (Origin → Destination) | Departs Origin | Arrives Phitsanulok | Departs Phitsanulok | Arrives Destination | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Special Express | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Chiang Mai | 18:40 | 00:15 (+1) | 00:18 (+1) | 07:15 (+1) | Book Now |
| 13 | Special Express | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Chiang Mai | 20:05 | 01:47 (+1) | 01:49 (+1) | 08:40 (+1) | Book Now |
| 107 | Rapid | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Den Chai | 20:45 | 02:36 (+1) | 02:38 (+1) | 05:15 (+1) | Book Now |
| 51 | Express | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Chiang Mai | 22:30 | 04:37 (+1) | 04:40 (+1) | 12:10 (+1) | Book Now |
| 403 | Ordinary | Phitsanulok → Sila At | — | — | 05:55 | 07:40 | Book Now |
| 407 | Ordinary | Nakhon Sawan → Chiang Mai | 05:00 | 07:27 | 07:29 | 14:35 | Book Now |
| 401 | Ordinary | Lopburi → Phitsanulok | 06:00 | 10:55 | — | 10:55 | Book Now |
| 7 | Special Express | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Chiang Mai | 09:05 | 13:12 | 13:22 | 19:30 | Book Now |
| 111 | Rapid | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Den Chai | 07:30 | 13:43 | 13:45 | 16:30 | Book Now |
| 201 | Ordinary | Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) → Phitsanulok | 09:25 | 17:55 | — | 17:55 | Book Now |
| 109 | Rapid | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Chiang Mai | 14:15 | 20:35 | 20:37 | 05:10 (+1) | Book Now |
Inbound – heading south, towards Bangkok
| Train No. | Type | Route (Origin → Destination) | Departs Origin | Arrives Phitsanulok | Departs Phitsanulok | Arrives Destination | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Special Express | Chiang Mai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 17:00 | 23:53 | 00:01 (+1) | 06:10 (+1) | Book Now |
| 10 | Special Express | Chiang Mai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 18:00 | 00:47 (+1) | 00:50 (+1) | 06:50 (+1) | Book Now |
| 202 | Ordinary | Phitsanulok → Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) | — | — | 06:05 | 14:05 | Book Now |
| 112 | Rapid | Den Chai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 07:30 | 10:01 | 10:03 | 17:20 | Book Now |
| 102 | Rapid | Chiang Mai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 06:30 | 13:16 | 13:18 | 20:25 | Book Now |
| 402 | Ordinary | Phitsanulok → Lopburi | — | — | 13:45 | 18:45 | Book Now |
| 8 | Special Express | Chiang Mai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 08:50 | 14:34 | 14:44 | 18:55 | Book Now |
| 408 | Ordinary | Chiang Mai → Nakhon Sawan | 09:30 | 17:22 | 17:24 | 19:55 | Book Now |
| 410 | Ordinary | Sila At → Phitsanulok | 16:30 | 18:10 | — | 18:10 | Book Now |
| 108 | Rapid | Den Chai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 19:05 | 22:07 | 22:09 | 04:30 (+1) | Book Now |
| 52 | Express | Chiang Mai → Krung Thep Aphiwat | 15:30 | 22:58 | 23:01 | 05:10 (+1) | Book Now |
Train types: Special Express and Express trains are the fastest and have air-conditioned seats and sleeper berths; Rapid trains are cheaper with a mix of fan and air-con carriages; Ordinary (local) trains are 3rd-class only, unreserved and stop everywhere — slow but very cheap. All long-distance trains to and from Bangkok use Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station), not the old Hua Lamphong. Krung Thep Aphiwat is the terminal shown here for those services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phitsanulok Railway Station?
It’s right in the centre of Phitsanulok city, in Nai Mueang sub-district, a short walk from the Nan River and the night market. Unlike some Thai stations, you don’t need a long taxi ride to reach the town — most hotels, restaurants and the riverside are within walking distance or a quick tuk-tuk hop.
How do I get from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai?
There is no train to Sukhothai. Phitsanulok is the nearest railhead, and from here you continue by bus or minivan to Sukhothai Historical Park, roughly an hour away. Many travellers take an overnight or morning train to Phitsanulok, then transfer to Sukhothai the same day.
What time does the station open?
Trains pass through Phitsanulok around the clock — the first services roll in after midnight and the last leave close to 23:00. The ticket counters open early in the morning and stay open until the evening. For overnight departures, staff are on hand at the platform.
Do I need my passport to buy a ticket?
Yes. Thai railways require photo ID for ticket purchases, so bring your passport (or Thai national ID card if you have one). You’ll also need it if you book online and collect at the station.
Are there toilets, food and left luggage at the station?
There are toilets on Platform 1 (a few baht per use), a left-luggage counter, a parcels office and a few small shops and food stalls inside the building and on the platform. Because the station is in the city centre, you’ll find plenty more restaurants, cafes, convenience stores and ATMs within a couple of minutes’ walk.
How do I get around once I arrive?
Tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis and songthaews (shared pickup trucks) wait outside the station. The city centre and riverside are walkable, and buses to Sukhothai and other nearby towns leave from Phitsanulok’s bus terminals.
Is there anything to see near the station?
Yes — Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (locally called Wat Yai), which houses the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat Buddha image, is about 1.5 km away. The Nan River and its lively evening night market are a short walk from the station. A historic 1919 steam locomotive, built in Glasgow, is displayed at the station itself.
How old is Phitsanulok Railway Station?
The station first opened on 24 January 1908, connecting the city to Bangkok by rail. The original building stood just south of the current site and was badly damaged by Allied bombing during World War II. Today it’s one of the busiest stops on the Northern Line, with around two dozen trains a day passing through.
Train times change without much notice. Always double-check with the station on +66 55 258 005 or the SRT hotline 1690, or track your train live on the SRT tracker for Phitsanulok, before you travel.
