How to get there

By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No.32 and Highway No.1 to Phayao via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Nakhon Sawan, Tak and Lampang, a total distance of 966 kilometres. For an alternative route, take Highway No.1 to Amphoe Tak Fa via Saraburi, Lop Buri before turning into Highway No.11 to Phrae via Phichit, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, and then proceed to Phayao along Highways No.101, No.103 and No.1.

By Bus
Bus companies which operate daily bus services from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Phayao.

You can get a bus from the Chiang Rai Bus Terminal the express takes about an hour and a bit. If you want to go native, you can take the city bus and it takes for ever. The upside to the city bus is that it stops at all the small villages off the highway and you really see the countryside. If you opt for the city bus bring water (nam) as the bus only cooled by opening the windows.

The bus to Phayao leaves from the Chiang Mai terminal is an adventure in itself. On one trip I actually asked myself if I had a death wish. It's through the mountains at breakneck speeds and often on the wrong side of the road around blind corners. You gain a great understanding as to the amulets around the drivers neck on this run. Only take the air-con express. They also sell packets of Gravol at the vendor in the Chiang Mai station, if you are prone to motion sickness this is a good investment with any luck it will put you to sleep. The bus stops half way for a short break, get out and walk around for a bit, the rest of the ride is like something from Disneyland.

By Rail
Visitors can take a regular train from Bangkok to Lampang or Chiang Mai, then connect a bus to Phayao.

By Air
Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai and then connect a bus to Phayao.