Major city · Thailand
Saraburiสระบุรี
Give Saraburi one night as a base for Phra Phutthabat and the Krok E Dok hike, or skip it and day-trip from Bangkok (2–2.5 h by train).
Saraburi is a provincial town on the Bangkok–Northeast rail and road corridor, 100–110 km from the capital. Its draw is not the town itself but what sits around it: the Buddha's footprint temple at Phra Phutthabat, limestone caves and waterfalls in the national parks, the sunflower fields that bloom in November–December, and a rainy-season hike to Krok E Dok. Sights are spread over the whole province, so a car or a hired driver does more for your day than any single ticket.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cool, dry, sunflowers in Nov–Dec)
- avoid Mar–May (hot and hazy), Sep–Oct (wettest)
- Airports
- BKK · DMK
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saraburi191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saraburi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyProvincial Thailand, generally calm: the real risks are fast traffic on Highway 1, unlit caves and forest trails…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBKK Suvarnabhumi (About 2 h by road to Saraburi; no rail link to the town.).
- Getting aroundThe province runs on roads: a car or a hired driver with a local guide is the practical way to link the temple, caves and parks.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced drink฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice plate฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a 7-Eleven฿80–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or motorbike taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or motorbike taxi฿60–150 (≈ US$2–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week฿250–500 (≈ US$8–16)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple or national-park entry฿20–30 (≈ under US$1) for Thai nationals, ฿100 (≈ US$4) for foreigners at Chet Sao Noi
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person฿350 (≈ US$11)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or small hotel, a night, per room฿1,400 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or small hotel, a night, per room฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿3,500 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BKK Suvarnabhumi (About 2 h by road to Saraburi; no rail link to the town.) · DMK Don Mueang (About 1.5–2 h by road; closer to the northern bus terminals.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Sep (19 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saraburi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The province runs on roads: a car or a hired driver with a local guide is the practical way to link the temple, caves and parks. In Mueang Saraburi a smart bus loops the centre for a flat 20 baht, stopping at the hospital, Robinsons and the provincial court. Trains from Bangkok stop at Saraburi, Kaeng Khoi and Muak Lek stations; songthaews and motorbike taxis cover short hops from the station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Phra Phutthabat Temple
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Highway 1 north from Saraburi town, about 28 km (17 mi); songthaew or taxi from the townHighway 1 north from Saraburi town, about 17 mi (28 km); songthaew or taxi from the town
Open 07:30–17:00, 30 baht; go at opening before the coach groups.Open 7:30 AM–5:00 PM, 30 baht; go at opening before the coach groups.
Krok E Dok Waterfall
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Road to Ban Bueng Mai, Chae Om, Kaeng Khoi; trailhead access by car or hired driver
Rainy season only; pre-register, 8 km (5 mi) and 5–6 h, daily walk-in cap of 100.Rainy season only; pre-register, 5 mi (8 km) and 5–6 h, daily walk-in cap of 100.
Namtok Chet Sao Noi National Park
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Road to Muak Lek district, about 50 km (31 mi) from the townRoad to Muak Lek district, about 31 mi (50 km) from the town
Seven-level waterfall with a swimming area; 08:00–17:00, 100 baht for foreigners, 20 baht for Thai nationals.Seven-level waterfall with a swimming area; 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, 100 baht for foreigners, 20 baht for Thai nationals.
Khao Sam Lan National Park
goDoor to door: About 45 min
4 km (2.5 mi) beyond Wat Phra Phutthachai, Mueang district2.5 mi (4 km) beyond Wat Phra Phutthachai, Mueang district
Small waterfalls and short trails; best late in the rainy season.
Pa Sak Jolasid Dam
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Road via Phatthana Nikhom, Lopburi side of the Pa Sak
Longest earth-filled dam in Thailand at 4,860 m; combine with the sunflower route in Nov–Dec.
Khao Yai National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Road via Muak Lek and Pak Chong
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Pak Chong or inside the park.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mueang Saraburi town centre
Guesthouses and small hotels near the market, train station and the 20-baht smart bus loop; best for one night with bags.
Phra Phutthabat
28 km (17 mi) north along Highway 1; stay here if the temple is your main reason and you want to be there at opening.17 mi (28 km) north along Highway 1; stay here if the temple is your main reason and you want to be there at opening.
Kaeng Khoi / Muak Lek
Along the rail line toward Khao Yai; useful for the Krok E Dok trailhead and the dairy farm area, but you need your own transport.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿900–1,600 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,600–3,000 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or small hotel1 × 1 night × ฿1,400 | ฿1,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ฿1,800 | ฿3,600 |
| Minibus from Bangkok Victory Monument, one way2 × ฿100 | ฿200 |
| Smart bus loop in Mueang Saraburi, one ride2 × ฿20 | ฿40 |
| Car with driver, one day around the province1 × ฿2,500 · check | ฿2,500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿834 |
| Trip total≈ ฿4,587 per person per day, bed included | ฿9,174≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights and long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced drink | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice plate | ฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a 7-Eleven | ฿80–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| 5 km taxi or motorbike taxi | ฿60–150 (≈ US$2–5) |
| Temple or national-park entry | ฿20–30 (≈ under US$1) for Thai nationals, ฿100 (≈ US$4) for foreigners at Chet Sao Noi |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ฿250–500 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Krok E Dok is a rainy-season hike only, 8 km (5 mi) and 5–6 h, with a daily cap and pre-registration: no booking, no entry.Krok E Dok is a rainy-season hike only, 5 mi (8 km) and 5–6 h, with a daily cap and pre-registration: no booking, no entry.
- National-park waterfall fees are higher for foreigners than for Thai nationals; carry cash.
- Sunflower fields are farm land: stay on the paths and ask before walking in.
- Some cave and forest sites have no lighting or railings; a torch and closed shoes matter more than a camera.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
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Saraburiสระบุรี
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in Saraburi; most are in Bangkok. Consular help for US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish citizens is at their Bangkok missions.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus Bangkok Victory Monument → Saraburi: about ฿100 (≈ US$4), stops at the train station
- Train Bangkok Hualamphong → Saraburi: about 2–2.5 h, several daily departures
- Smart bus loop, Mueang Saraburi: flat ฿20 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu nai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
- จ่ายบัตรได้ไหม — Can I pay by card? (jai bat dai mai)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saraburi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (cool, dry, sunflowers in Nov–Dec) · avoid Mar–May (hot and hazy), Sep–Oct (wettest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BKK and DMK: last train and bus departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mueang Saraburi centre, Phra Phutthabat, Kaeng Khoi–Muak Lek.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Phra Phutthabat, Wat Phra Phutthachai, Chet Sao Noi, Krok E Dok) and eat pages with last orders.
- Sunflower and rainy-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.