A regional commerce and transportation hub. Many travellers will at least pass through Phitsanulok on way to and from the North. Whilst the city itself is not the most exciting or prettiest place in the world, it can be useful for stocking up on supplies, and Phitsanulok is a great starting point for exploring the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai. The local TAT office is at 209 Thanon Borom Trailokanat (08:30-16:30 daily).
Thai International Airways offers regular flights between Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai (40 minutes). Bus #4 runs to the airport, as do tuk-tuks for about 10-20 baht.
There are several daily services north to Chiang Mai and south to Bangkok. Both take about 6-7 hours.
Extensive bus services connect Phitsanulok with Chiang Mai and Bangkok. As Phitsanulok is a major transportation hub, there are also regular services to the North-East. Phitsanulok is about 390 km from Bangkok. Buses take 5-6 hours for the journey. The return trip can take as long as 7 hours, depending on the Bangkok traffic). The bus to Chiang Mai takes 6 hours. The main bus station is northeast of the train station. From there buses leave for Chiang Mai, Tak (via Sukhothai), Khon Kaen and Bangkok.
Buses to Sukhothai leave across the road from the Topland Plaza Hotel. The trip takes one hour and costs around 25 to 40 baht. Sukhothai-bound buses are also available from the main bus station.
Public buses serve the town and there is no shortage of tuk-tuks and taxis. No. 1 bus serves the route between the central bus station and the train station in the town centre, and leaves from the short road leading from the highway to the bus station.
Decent motorcycles (Honda Wave, etc.) can be rented from the shop near the central bus station, at prices somewhat higher than the Chiang Mai standard (starting ~200 baht)
Phitsanulok is not well known to foreign tourists and thus has retained the charm of a typical larger Thai city. Unfortunately, most the older parts of the city were destroyed in a disastrous fire decades ago.
Visit the temples and stroll around a Thai city that is still unspoilt by the tourist traps of Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Several markets offer the typical variety of food stall dishes. During the day check out the market just south of the train station, which turns into a popular night market scene in the early evening. Some of the best buys are gai yang (grilled chicken) and kweitiou pat Thai (Thai style fried noodles).
The 'Night Bazaar' along the river offers lots of tourist type food options plus after dinner shopping with the usual night market items.
Phitsanulok Mall- Standard chain restaurant fare. There is a Tesco-Lotus downstairs for self catering and other essentials.
Phitsanulok is not a tourist oriented city, and there is not a broad range of guesthouses. However, there are several good options at rates much lower than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Phitsanulok is a good stop-over from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or vice versa).