Getting Around Nakhon Si Thammarat — Songthaew, Grab, Motorbike Taxi, Car Hire (No BTS/MRT) 2026

Before you go

A temple-and-heritage city with no metro — easy in town, plan ahead out of it

If you're used to hopping on the BTS or MRT to get around Bangkok, here's the first thing to know: Nakhon Si Thammarat has no BTS, MRT or subway in town. This historic southern city — the spiritual heart of the lower Gulf — runs on the road. The good news is that the core of the city — Wat Phra Mahathat, the City Pillar Shrine, the museum and the old town along Ratchadamnoen Road — lies in one line and is easy to move between.

The workhorse of public transport in town is the songthaew, the shared pickup truck that runs set routes looping the city for just about ฿10–20 a ride. Backing it up are motorbike taxis, tuk-tuks (always agree the fare first), and Grab you can hail in the app. And to be clear from the start: Grab works in Nakhon but it's limited — fewer cars than Hat Yai or Phuket, so you'll sometimes wait. If you want more freedom you can rent a car or motorbike.

And here's the most important part of this page: Nakhon's nature spots are out of town and spread far apart. Khao Luang National Park, Krung Ching waterfall, Khanom (quiet beaches plus the pink-dolphin boat tours) and Sichon all sit roughly 1–1.5 hours or more from the city, and direct public transport is awkward or non-existent. To reach them, renting a car, hiring a car with driver, or joining a tour is the most practical and best-value way to go. This guide walks through every way to get around in town, then helps you decide what to use on which day — including how to reach the airport and the out-of-town sights.

Your main options in town

Songthaew and Grab — how most visitors get around town

The songthaew is cheap and runs all day on the main routes — Grab is comfortable but limited. They pair up well for visitors.

In a city with no metro, the two best stand-ins are the songthaew for routes around town and a ride-hailing app for everything off-route or after dark. The songthaew is Nakhon's main public transport, looping the city and very cheap. Grab is comfortable — the fare shown upfront, no haggling — but there are fewer cars on the system than in a big city, so you'll need to allow a little time.

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Songthaew

the city's main public transport

The shared pickup trucks run set routes that loop the city, passing the markets, the bus terminal, Ratchadamnoen Road and the main spots in town. The shared fare is about ฿10–20 per ride. Flag one down on the road, then press the buzzer or tell the driver when to stop, and pay as you step down. They run frequently through the day into early evening — the cheapest way to move along the old-town axis.

The honest truth: the routes can be confusing for a first-timer, since there are no clear route signs. If you're unsure, ask the driver before you get in whether they pass your stop. And after they finish at night, switch to a Grab or a motorbike taxi instead.

Fare: ~฿10–20 per ride (shared, within town)

Route: loops the city · markets–bus terminal–Ratchadamnoen Rd

Hours: frequent by day into early evening · use Grab at night

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Grab

hail in the app · fare upfront · works but limited

Grab works in central Nakhon Si Thammarat. You see the fare before you book and pay in the app, with no haggling like a motorbike taxi or tuk-tuk. It suits the times you have luggage, are heading back late, going to NST airport, or reaching somewhere the songthaew doesn't pass — and the set price gives peace of mind.

To be straight: Nakhon is not a big city like Hat Yai or Phuket, so there are fewer cars on the system. At some times, or out at the edges of town, you may wait a while or struggle to get a ride. Book ahead and allow extra time, and if you really can't get one, fall back on a motorbike taxi or a songthaew.

Available: Grab (hail and pay in the app) · works but limited

The catch: fewer cars than big cities · longer waits at edges/some times

Best for: nights · luggage · the airport · off the songthaew route

Songthaew and Grab work best together in town: by day, around the old town, the markets and Ratchadamnoen Road, ride the songthaew — it's cheap and frequent. For late returns, heavy bags, the airport, or when you can't flag a songthaew, hail a Grab (allowing a little time, since cars are limited). See the whole city in our Nakhon Si Thammarat travel guide.

Flagged on the street

Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks — agree the fare first

Beyond the songthaew and Grab, Nakhon also has motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks you can flag on the street. But both have no meter, so you must agree the fare before you get in — otherwise you risk being quoted far too much at the other end, especially if you look like a tourist.

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Motorbike taxi

fast, cheap, easiest to find in town

Motorbike taxis (riders at fixed stands) are the fastest and easiest-to-find option in Nakhon for a solo short hop, roughly ฿30–80 in town. They're handy when you're in a rush, want to move between spots in the old town, or can't get a Grab. You'll find stands around town, by the markets and near the bus terminal.

You should always ask the price before you get on, since there's no meter. Ask for a helmet too. If you're going far or have luggage, a motorbike isn't the right choice — use Grab or a songthaew instead.

Price: in town ~฿30–80 (agree first)

Best for: solo · short hops · in a rush / no Grab available

Do this: ask the price first · ask for a helmet

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Tuk-tuk

no meter · agree the fare before you board

Nakhon's tuk-tuks are for short hops around the town and market areas, with no meter, so always agree the fare before you board. Short trips in town usually start from about ฿60–100 and up, depending on distance and time. They suit a small group on a short hop, or a ride for the feel of an old southern town.

Tip: get a clear price before you board, and if you can get a Grab, compare the app price first. Often a Grab works out cheaper and less stressful. If you want a tuk-tuk, lock in the exact number — and don't be afraid to say no if the price is too high.

Price: short trips in town ~฿60–100 and up (negotiable)

Best for: small group · short hops · the experience

Do this: agree the fare first · compare with Grab if you can

The golden rule in Nakhon — agree the fare every time: motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks both run without a meter. If you don't lock in the number first, you can be quoted far too much, especially as a foreign visitor. If you'd rather not negotiate, try a Grab with its app price (allowing a little time, since cars are limited) — though for quick in-town hops a motorbike taxi is usually the fastest and easiest to find.

Other options

Car hire, motorbike rental and walking the old town

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Car hire / car with driver

the most practical way to see the region

This is the most important option in Nakhon if you want to see it properly, because the nature spots are scattered and far. A self-drive hire or a car with driver is the easiest way to reach Khao Luang, Krung Ching waterfall, Khanom and Sichon. Self-drive runs about ฿1,000–1,500 a day, while a car with driver for the day is available in town — agree a day rate first.

There's car rental both at NST airport and in town. With your own car you can roam the out-of-town sights freely, without relying on public transport that struggles to reach the nature spots, and fit several in one day at your own pace. If you'd rather not drive the mountain roads yourself, a local car with driver is more reassuring.

Self-drive: ~฿1,000–1,500/day (at NST airport + in town)

Car with driver: available in town (agree a day rate)

Best for: families · reaching Khao Luang / Khanom / Sichon

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Motorbike rental

flexible · but far spots and mountain roads

Nakhon has some motorbike rental shops, with daily rental about ฿200–300 plus fuel. The upside is moving around town and to nearby spots on your own. Shops tend to be near the markets and hotel areas — a good fit if you ride confidently and want the freedom.

But to be straight with you: the nature spots like Khao Luang and Khanom are far, and parts are mountain roads. A motorbike can do it, but only if you ride well and take care. Carry an international driving permit or a motorcycle licence and always wear a helmet. For longer runs or a group, a hire car or car with driver is safer and more comfortable — save the motorbike for getting around town and nearby spots.

Rental: ~฿200–300/day + fuel

Upside: flexible around town + nearby spots

Watch: licence · helmet · far nature spots / mountain roads

Walking the old town around Wat Phra Mahathat is easy: the heart of Nakhon runs in a long line along Ratchadamnoen Road — Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, the City Pillar Shrine, Ho Phra Phuttha Sihing, the Brahmin shrines (Ho Phra Isuan and Ho Phra Narai) and the National Museum sit on the same axis and connect by foot or short hops. The stretch right around Wat Phra Mahathat is comfortable on foot, though Ratchadamnoen Road is fairly long, with some sights several hundred metres to a kilometre apart. If it's too hot or too far, grab a motorbike taxi, songthaew or Grab to hop between them. Dress modestly at the temple — the inner courtyard of Wat Phra Mahathat is a sacred space.

The thing to get right

No in-town metro — and the out-of-town nature spots are hard to reach by public transport

This is what to separate clearly — in town you lean on the songthaew, motorbike taxis and Grab; the airport and the train are for getting in and out; and the far nature spots really need a car.

If you remember one thing from this page, separate these two: what Nakhon doesn't have is a BTS, MRT or subway for getting around town. In town you'll lean on the songthaew, motorbike taxis and Grab. But what Nakhon does have is Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) and a branch of the Southern rail line — both for arriving from elsewhere and heading on, not an urban metro.

Viharn Phra Song Ma and the stairway up to the Phra Borommathat courtyard at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat — old whitewashed temple architecture with decorative detail — Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan — the centre of the old town on Ratchadamnoen Road and the heart of a walkable district. Hop to the other sights along the same axis by songthaew or motorbike taxi in minutes.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) is about 20 km from the city centre, with several ways in — a shared airport shuttle van/minibus running with the flights at roughly ฿100–150 per person (the cheapest, dropping at the main points), a taxi or private hire around ฿300–400, and Grab, which works but can be limited, so allow time to wait. The ride takes about 25–35 minutes. Meanwhile the Southern Line has long-distance trains from Bangkok to Nakhon (the city station sits at the end of a branch off the main line), taking roughly 13–15 hours — good if you like an overnight sleeper. Vans and coaches also run from Bangkok and the neighbouring southern cities such as Surat Thani, Hat Yai and Krabi. See every way to reach Nakhon compared by cost and time on the getting-to page.

A quick comparison

Getting around town vs in, out and beyond Nakhon

Mode	In Nakhon?	What it's for
In-town BTS / MRT / subway	None	— (in town, use songthaew/Grab/motorbike instead)
Songthaew	Yes (main local transport)	Loops the city, markets–old town, ฿10–20/ride
Grab	Yes (works, but limited)	Nights, the airport, heavy bags, off the songthaew route
Car hire / car with driver	Yes (in town + airport)	Khao Luang, Krung Ching, Khanom, Sichon (hard by public transport)
Nakhon Airport (NST)	Yes (~20 km from town)	Flights from Bangkok ~1.5h · into town by shuttle/Grab

Choosing from NST airport into town: travelling solo or as a pair and not in a rush, the shuttle van/minibus at about ฿100–150 per person is the best value. A group or anyone with lots of luggage will find a private car or taxi (about ฿300–400) more comfortable, since splitting it isn't expensive. If you want to try Grab, allow time to wait, as cars are limited. See every way to reach Nakhon — flights, the train and coaches — compared by cost and time in our getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat guide.

Beyond the town

Reaching the out-of-town nature spots — what to use

This is where Nakhon differs from the usual city. The sights people come for — the mountain, the waterfall, the beaches and the dolphins — are out of town and spread far apart; the in-town songthaews don't reach them, and direct public transport is scarce or non-existent. You need to plan the transport spot by spot, and for most of them the easiest route is a hire car, a car with driver, or a tour. Common examples:

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Khanom (beaches + pink dolphins) / Sichon

~100 km north · hire car or tour

Khanom (quiet beaches and the boat tours for pink dolphins, across the bay from Ko Samui) is about 100 km north, roughly a 1.5–2 hour drive, with the laid-back beach town of Sichon on the way. There are some public vans/songthaews toward Khanom from town, but services are limited and connections are awkward — hiring a car, renting, or taking a tour is far easier, especially for a dolphin boat trip that needs an early start. Read more in our Nakhon day trips guide.

Get there: hire car/tour ~1.5–2 hrs · some public vans (limited service)

Best for: quiet beaches · pink-dolphin boat tour · Sichon

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Khao Luang / Krung Ching waterfall

~60–70 km · no direct transport, needs a car

Khao Luang National Park (the highest mountain in the south, with trekking) and Krung Ching waterfall (a multi-tier falls) lie about 60–70 km out, roughly a 1–1.5 hour drive, with no direct public transport to the falls themselves, so a hire car is the way. The last stretch is mountain road; the rainy season makes the falls fuller but the trail slippery and it can close. The best and safest season is the dry months, around January–April. Plan it all in our Nakhon attractions guide.

Get there: hire car ~1–1.5 hrs (no direct transport · mountain road at the end)

Best for: nature · waterfall · trekking (dry season best)

A day tour is a very good shortcut for Nakhon: because the nature spots are far and public transport is awkward, a tour with hotel pickup is good value and saves dealing with connecting rides or driving yourself. There are Khanom dolphin boat tours, Khao Luang and Krung Ching trips, and in-town tours. Browse them on Klook's Nakhon Si Thammarat tours · plan every out-of-town run, with how to get to each, in our Nakhon day trips guide.

The real tip

Remember three things and getting around Nakhon gets easy

One — walk the old town, and use a motorbike taxi or songthaew for short hops. The heart of Nakhon is the old-town axis around Wat Phra Mahathat on Ratchadamnoen Road, which you can walk between. Walk by day for the temples and museum; if it's hot or you need to go further, a motorbike taxi is the fastest and easiest to find, while Grab works but needs a little patience as cars are limited.

Two — motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks always need a price agreed first, because there's no meter. If you can get a Grab, make a habit of checking the app price to compare — it's often cheaper and removes the guesswork.

Three — the out-of-town nature spots really need a car. Khanom (pink dolphins), Sichon, Khao Luang and Krung Ching waterfall are far, with little or no direct public transport, so the best value is a hire car, a car with driver, or a tour. Pick the season too — Nakhon, on the Gulf coast, is best from January to April, with less rain, while the northeast monsoon (roughly October–December, heaviest November–December) brings heavy rain and flooding some years, so avoid the mountain roads then.

Sort this out before you go: you'll rely on a ride-hailing app and maps a fair bit, especially heading out of town, so set up a SIM/eSIM before you arrive — see our Thailand SIM & eSIM guide, and start planning at our Nakhon first-timer guide.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ · Getting around Nakhon Si Thammarat

How do I get around Nakhon Si Thammarat, and is there a metro?

No. Nakhon Si Thammarat has no in-town BTS, MRT or subway like Bangkok. Getting around town runs on the road: songthaews (the main public transport, looping the city cheaply for about ฿10–20 a ride), motorbike taxis, tuk-tuks, Grab, and car or motorbike rental. The old town around Wat Phra Mahathat and Ratchadamnoen Road is compact and walkable. The city also has Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) and sits on a branch of the Southern rail line — but the airport and the train are for getting in and out of the city, not for moving around it.

Can I use Grab in Nakhon Si Thammarat?

Yes, but it's limited. Grab works in central Nakhon Si Thammarat — you see the fare before you book and pay in the app, with no haggling like a motorbike taxi or tuk-tuk. It's handy when you have luggage, are heading back late, or going to NST airport. But to be straight with you, Nakhon is not a big city like Hat Yai or Phuket, so there are fewer cars on the system. At some times, or out at the edges of town, you may wait a while or struggle to get a ride. Book ahead and allow extra time, and if you can't get a Grab, fall back on a motorbike taxi or a songthaew.

Do I need a car to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat?

It depends on whether you're staying in town or heading out to nature. For the city alone — Wat Phra Mahathat, the City Pillar Shrine, the museum, the shadow-puppet house and the old town — you don't need your own car; walking plus a Grab or motorbike taxi is enough. But if you want the out-of-town nature spots like Khao Luang National Park, Krung Ching waterfall, Khanom (pink dolphins) or Sichon, be aware they're spread out and far (roughly 1–1.5 hours), with little or no direct public transport. Renting a car, hiring a car with driver, or joining a tour is the most practical and best-value way to reach them.

How do I get from Nakhon Si Thammarat city to Khanom or Khao Luang?

Nakhon's nature spots are spread out and far from town. Khanom (quiet beaches and the pink-dolphin boat tours) is about 100 km north, roughly a 1.5–2 hour drive — there are some public vans/songthaews toward Khanom from town, but services are limited and connections are awkward, so hiring a car, renting, or taking a tour is far easier. Khao Luang National Park and Krung Ching waterfall lie a different way, about 60–70 km out, roughly a 1–1.5 hour drive, with no direct public transport to the falls themselves, so you'll need a hire car. The best season is the dry months, around January–April, when there's less rain and the mountain roads are safer.

Is the old town around Wat Phra Mahathat walkable?

Yes, easily. Nakhon Si Thammarat's old town runs in a long line along Ratchadamnoen Road. Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, the City Pillar Shrine, Ho Phra Phuttha Sihing, the Brahmin shrines (Ho Phra Isuan and Ho Phra Narai) and the National Museum sit along the same axis, within walking or short-hop distance of each other. The stretch right around Wat Phra Mahathat is comfortable to explore on foot, though Ratchadamnoen Road is fairly long, with some sights several hundred metres to a kilometre apart. If it's too far or too hot, grab a motorbike taxi, a songthaew or a Grab to hop between them. Dress modestly at the temple, and the inner courtyard of Wat Phra Mahathat is a sacred space.

How do I get from Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) into town?

Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) is about 20 km from the city centre, and there are several ways in. A shared airport shuttle van/minibus runs with the flights into town and drops at the main points, the cheapest option at roughly ฿100–150 per person. A taxi or private hire is around ฿300–400 into town. Grab works from the airport too, but cars can be limited, so allow time to wait. The ride takes about 25–35 minutes. If you're travelling solo or as a pair the shuttle is the best value, while a group or anyone with lots of luggage will find a private car or taxi more comfortable. See every way to reach Nakhon in our getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat guide.

Nakhon Si Thammarat travel guide

Hotels, food, Wat Phra Mahathat, the old town, the nature spots · everything

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Getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat

NST flights, the Southern Line train, coaches, from Bangkok and the south — cost and time

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Nakhon Si Thammarat attractions

Wat Phra Mahathat, the old town, Khao Luang–Krung Ching, Khanom & the pink dolphins

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Day trips from Nakhon Si Thammarat

Khanom & pink dolphins, Sichon, Khao Luang, Krung Ching — how to get there

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