A Complete Guide to Visiting Lopburi Sunflower Fields from Bangkok

When people think about flower fields, they usually picture places like Provence in France or Tuscany in Italy. I know I did.

For a long time, my Southeast Asian self assumed views like that were something I had to travel halfway across the world to see.

That’s why finding out about the sunflower fields in Lopburi, Thailand surprised me so much.

And it’s actually surprisingly easy to visit. With a little planning, it’s possible to see the Lopburi sunflower fields even on a simple day trip from Bangkok.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is Lopburi?

Lopburi is a historic province in central Thailand, located about 150 kilometers north of Bangkok. It’s one of the oldest cities in the country, with ruins and temples that date back hundreds of years.

Many travelers know Lopburi for its famous population of monkeys that roam around the old city temples.

But outside the town center, the province is mostly rural, with farmland, reservoirs, and low mountain landscapes.

This countryside is where the Lopburi sunflower fields appear every year during the cool season.

Several farms open their fields to visitors, turning the area into one of the most unique seasonal attractions near Bangkok.

Best time to go to Lopburi sunflower fields

The sunflowers in Lopburi only bloom once a year, usually sometime between November and January.

However, there can be slight variations from year to year, and there’s no reliable way to predict exactly when the flowers will start blooming. Some years they appear in early November, while in other years the peak bloom happens later.

If you need to plan your trip in advance, December is generally the safest time to visit.

How to get to Lopburi sunflower fields from Bangkok

There are several ways to travel from Bangkok to Lopburi, making it a relatively easy day trip from the city.

Train

Taking the train is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel from Bangkok to Lopburi.

There are around 7 trains a day serving this route. The earliest train departs Bangkok at 7:30 am, and the last one leaves at 10:30 pm.

You can check the official State Railway of Thailand website to see the latest timetables and ticket prices (just select Krung Thep and Lopburi 2 as your stations).

If the site feels a bit confusing to navigate, don’t worry — you can also use other platforms like 12Go, which makes booking and checking schedules a lot easier.

Third-class tickets can be bought at the station on the day of travel, while higher-class trains often require advance booking especially during peak season.

The journey typically takes 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on the type of train, and the fare starts from 57 baht for the 3rd class fan coach. If you’re riding third class, arrive early to secure a window seat for the best views.

Apparently, for a more unique experience, there’s also a tourist train that actually runs through the sunflower field.

The train stops briefly in the middle of the fields so passengers can get down and take photos before continuing its journey.

However, it’s only available on select dates, and since I couldn’t find much information about it online, I had to give the idea a pass.

Bus

Buses to Lopburi leave regularly from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) or from Victory Monument via minibus/van. The ride generally takes 2–3 hours and is an inexpensive option.

Taxi

If you take the train or bus, you’ll still need to hire a local taxi in Lopburi to reach the sunflower fields.

Another option is to hire a private taxi from Bangkok that will take you to Lopburi and back on the same day. This is more convenient but obviously more expensive.

Always agree on the price before starting the journey.

Renting a car

Another option (which is never feasible for me because I can’t drive, but which I feel obligated to mention anyway) is renting a car.

Driving gives you the freedom to start your trip whenever you like and stop along the way.

However, keep in mind that not all sunflower fields bloom at the same time. Local taxi drivers usually know which fields are currently blooming, while if you’re driving yourself you’ll have to figure this out on your own.

My Lopburi sunflower field experience

That was my first time riding in a third-class carriage in Thailand. There was no air conditioning, and the ceiling fans did little to cool the cabin.

The windows could be opened, which helped with ventilation, but on a hot day the heat was still intense. And it was only 9 in the morning.

If you’re traveling in sunny weather, try not to sit on the right-hand side of the train unless you enjoy sitting directly under the blazing sun.

The journey took almost 3 hours. When I arrived, the heat outside was even more unforgiving.

As I walked out of the station, a driver approached me and offered to take me to the sunflower fields for 700 baht with no time limit. He appeared to be the only driver around.

In hindsight, my mistake was not doing enough research beforehand. I had no idea how far the sunflower fields were from the station or what a reasonable price might be.

Earlier, someone had told me the journey could take close to an hour, and I had also heard there were several sunflower fields in Lopburi that drivers would usually take visitors to. Based on that information, 700 baht sounded fair.

As it turned out, the drive took just a little more than twenty minutes. The “taxi” was also not really a taxi, but a small truck. Still, it did get me to the sunflower field.

The field was enormous. Acres upon acres of big yellow flowers stretched out before me, their heads slightly bowed and all facing the same direction. Some were almost as tall as I was.

There were only a handful of other visitors scattered across the field, tiny figures in the distance, so it felt as though I had the entire place to myself.

When I asked the driver about visiting other sunflower fields, he said they had not bloomed yet. I’m not sure if that was true or if he simply preferred not to drive further, but by that point I had already taken all the photos I wanted, so I didn’t argue.

Since there was no time limit, I could have stayed until sunset if I wished. If I hadn’t been in a hurry to return to Bangkok, I think I probably would have, but I had the Loy Krathong festival to catch.

Back to Lopburi Town

On the way back to the station, the driver offered to stop at the famous monkey temple, but I declined as I was still slightly traumatized from being bitten by a monkey in Bali.

Instead, I took a photo at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, located just across the road from the train station.

It was only 3 pm then, and the next train to Bangkok was in another few hours. I didn’t want to wait that long, so I took a minibus instead.

Tips for visiting sunflower fields in Lopburi

• If you’re taking the train from Bangkok, sit on the left-hand side of the carriage for better views.
• Some of the seats are reserved for elderly passengers and monks, usually located near the back.
• Test your window when you sit down. Some windows are permanently stuck, and the carriage can become extremely hot if it can’t be opened.
• Local vendors often walk through the train selling snacks and drinks, so you won’t go hungry.
• Before getting into a taxi, ask the driver how many sunflower fields are blooming that day. If there’s only one field open, try negotiating a lower fare since the trip may take less than an hour.
• Bring sunscreen, an umbrella or a hat, and lots of water. The sun can be brutal around midday, especially when you’re standing in an open field.

Other things to see in Lopburi

If you start early, you can easily add a few more attractions to your Lopburi day trip from Bangkok.

Check with your taxi driver to see if these stops can be included in your fare.

• Prang Sam Yot Khmer Temple (a.k.a. the Monkey Temple) – A Khmer-era temple famous for its resident monkeys.
• Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat – 12th century ruins featuring walls, pagodas, and the town’s largest stupa. Monkey-free. Located right opposite the train station.
• Wat Sao Thong Thong – A historic church-like structure built by Portuguese missionaries in the 17th century.
• Phra Khan Shrine – An ancient shrine built in the Khmer period. Features colorful statues, and more monkeys. Located in the heart of town.
• Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (a.k.a. the King’s Palace) – The 17th-century palace of King Narai, now a museum combining Khmer and European architectural styles.

If you’re thinking about staying overnight in Lopburi to explore more of the area, you can check out hotels and guesthouses here for options that suit any budget.

Final thoughts

Visiting the Lopburi sunflower fields was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful day trips I’ve taken from Bangkok.

It’s simple and not overly commercialized (at least not at the time I was there). And for a few moments, standing in the middle of thousands of sunflowers, the city felt very far away.

If you happen to be in Thailand between November and January, this is definitely a trip worth making.

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Looking for more destination ideas? You might enjoy my travel bucket list of strange, surprising, and unforgettable places around the world.

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