I discovered Ratchaburi about ten years ago when a Thai friend of mine wanted to take a day trip. "Just trust me," he assured me when he arrived by car at my hotel in Bangkok one Friday morning, "you'll love it."

He was right – the trip was absolutely fascinating, and we were practically the only tourists there. I've returned to Ratchaburi a few times on my own since then, and exploring the area was definitely easier with a private car.

So, is a visit to Ratchaburi worthwhile? Well, I think you can already guess my answer. But don't worry – I'll present my work to you!

Getting to (and getting around in) Ratchaburi

Each southbound SRT train will take you from Bangkok to Ratchaburi in 90 to 180 minutes, depending on the departure type – the "Special Express" trains are significantly faster. These trains initially travel west from Bangkok, then turn south towards Hua Hin and finally to Surat Thani, which is why they pass through Ratchaburi in the first place.

Once you arrive at Ratchaburi Station, you have several options. You could book an organized tour and be shown around by a guide and driver – all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Alternatively, you can use motorbike taxis, which are available either right outside the station or via the Grab app. A third option is to rent a car or motorbike. This is obviously easier if you visit Rocket Play beforehand and win some money playing your favorite online games.

Activities in Ratchaburi

Say a prayer in a cave temple

When Yod (my Thai friend, whom I mentioned in the introduction) first picked me up, he insisted that I visit a cave temple. And he was right. Whether it was the refreshing atmosphere inside the cave compared to the sweltering heat outside, or the gilded Buddha statues glittering in the darkness, cave temples like Wat Khao Chong Phran and Tham Khao Bin are absolutely worth the trip.

See a performance at the Wat Khanon Nai Yang Museum

On my first independent trip through Ratchaburi, I was less mobile and spent most of my time in the city center. In particular, I visited the Wat Khanon Nai Yang Museum, which is dedicated to the local shadow puppetry. Although I didn't get to see a performance, simply seeing the artists' "equipment" was impressive.

Hiking in Khao Ngu Stone Park

Another place I absolutely had to visit, since Yod and I weren't there together, was Khao Ngu Stone Park. The name literally translates to "Snake Mountain" in Thai, and it's quite accurate to say that these towering limestone cliffs look like cobra heads. Or maybe that was just my imagination: it's hot and there's absolutely no shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water!

Admire the Buddha on the hill of Wat Nong Hoi.

If you have a car (or know a friend like Yod, or book a Thailand tour via Norway), visiting Wat Nong Hoi is another great option for your stay in Ratchaburi. Admire the giant Buddha statue rising from the ground above the emerald-green hills, or hike up and enjoy the view. In any case, it's undoubtedly one of the most famous places in Ratchaburi province.

Visit a floating market on your way back.

The bad news? Strictly speaking, floating markets like Damnoen Saduak or the one in Amphawa aren't actually located in Ratchaburi province. The good news? They're on the way back to Bangkok. While the return journey by public transport can be a bit more challenging, I highly recommend a stopover if you have a private driver or your own vehicle.

Should you stay overnight in Ratchaburi?

Ratchaburi is a vast province, and you should definitely plan more than a day for exploration. This is especially true if you rely on local transport, taxis, or motorbike taxis. This significantly increases travel time and makes the trip more arduous overall.

On the other hand, it will hardly surprise you that many hotels in Ratchaburi leave much to be desired. And even those that do (many of which are more like holiday apartments anyway) are located far from Ratchaburi train station and can only be reached by public transport. This underscores once again how advantageous it is to travel by car from the outset.

Other frequently asked questions about visiting Ratchaburi

What is Ratchaburi known for?

Ratchaburi is known for its cave temples, its shadow play, and for being an ideal destination for Bangkok residents with a car for a relaxing short break. It's hardly known among foreigners, which is one of the reasons why I love going there.

How do you get from A to B in Ratchaburi?

Ratchaburi has virtually no public transport. Therefore, if you don't have your own car or motorcycle, I recommend befriending a motorcyclist outside Ratchaburi train station and having them drive you around town.

Does Ratchaburi belong to Bangkok?

Ratchaburi is not part of Bangkok, although the province of Ratchaburi is located near Bangkok. Depending on the route, the journey from Bangkok to Ratchaburi takes less than two hours (which is significantly faster than driving across the city in heavy traffic!).

Conclusion

Is Ratchaburi worth a visit? Yes, for many reasons. Firstly, it's not at all touristy – in fact, you could be the only tourist! This applies whether you're driven by a friend (or, even better, rent a car yourself), or if you travel by train and get around by motorbike taxi. Secondly, the sights are objectively impressive. Whether you explore underground cave temples or the giant Buddhas and karst formations above ground, Ratchaburi can certainly compete with other day trips from Bangkok. Need help planning your Thailand trip? Then let us create a personalized itinerary for you!