Best Ways To Travel From Bangkok To Khao Yai National Park

These are the best ways to travel from Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park, so you can see the beauty of the park on a day trip or weekend.

Thanks to its impressive landscape, sheer size, variety of things to do, and proximity to the capital, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand’s most visited national park. Covering more than 2,000 square kilometers of grassland and forest, it isn’t a place you want to miss! This is one of the best day trips from Bangkok but can also be a romantic break from the city too.

Luckily, getting there isn’t that difficult, especially from Bangkok. 

Khao Yai is approximately 150km (93 miles) northeast of the capital and there are multiple ways to get there. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to travel from Bangkok to Khao Yai.

We’ll tell you which options are the most affordable, the quickest, and the most convenient.

How To Get From Bangkok To Khao Yai National Park

As far as distances go, the journey from Bangkok to Khao Yai isn’t a particularly long one. However, it isn’t always a quick one either. 

You’re looking at a journey time of at least two-and-a-half hours, no matter which route you take. The most affordable modes of transport can take even longer, with a route combining train and bus services taking up to 6 hours.

The best ways to get from Bangkok to Khao Yai are by bus, taxi, and car rental. They allow you to reach the national park in less time and without spending a fortune. 

There are many reasons to visit Bangkok but this fun day trip is worth taking a break from the city to visit and explore.

Let’s start with the most affordable option!

Bus from Bangkok to Khao Yai

The cheapest way to travel from the capital to Khao Yai National Park is by bus or minivan. Bus and minivan services leave Bangkok and head towards the national park via Mochit New Van Terminal.

Taking a bus to Khao Yai can cost as little as 265 THB ($7.30), and the journey usually takes between three and a half to four hours. There are drawbacks to getting the bus, but it is an excellent option for solo and budget travelers.

You’re tied to the bus schedule, but luckily, there are typically four departures from Mochit New Van Terminal every day. You can easily get to the van terminal using the MRT or a taxi.

The bus will take you from Bangkok to the Town of Pak Chong. From here, you’ll take a 40-minute bus ride to the national park. 

Taxi from Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park

Traveling to Khao Yai from Bangkok by private taxi is the most expensive way to get there, but it is also the most flexible and one of the fastest. With these benefits, it could be argued that the additional costs are worth it. 

You’ll reach Khao Yai National Park much faster and you’ll travel more comfortably. Countless private taxi companies will take you to the national park, all you have to do is book one.

You can easily book a taxi through websites like 12Go.asia. On 12Go.asia, you can choose from a variety of options, evaluate the prices, and specify a pickup location and time. 

You’ll be picked up from your front door and dropped off at the national park’s main gate in the space of two-and-a-half hours. Taxi prices tend to vary between $55 and $70 (2,000 and 2,542 THB).

This mode of transport is best suited to couples, families, and groups of friends who want to split the cost.

Driving to Khao Yai National Park from Bangkok

If you’re planning to travel around more of Thailand, you might want to consider hiring a car. Driving yourself to Khao Yai is the most convenient and quickest travel option as you’ll have full control over the journey.

You don’t have to worry about waiting for a taxi or bus, and you can set off whenever you like. You also have more freedom when it comes to traveling around the national park and its most popular attractions.

There are several car rental companies to choose from in Bangkok, so you have plenty of options. We recommend using Europcar because they have a very good reputation. 

They have multiple locations across the city and a small 5-seater car can cost as little as $22 (800 THB) a day. It is also worth noting that Europcar has a car pick-up point at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Once you’ve got your car rental, simply enter Khao Yai National Park on your GPS and hit go!

The Best Things To Do In Khao Yai

Now you know how to get to Khao Yai, let us show you the best things to do. Khao Yai National Park is jam-packed with awesome things to see and do, so you probably won’t be able to see it all, but we want to help you see the very best!

Here are some of the things you don’t want to miss during your visit!

Admire Haew Narok Waterfall

If there’s one place you don’t want to miss when visiting Khao Yai, it’s Haew Narok Waterfall. A sight to behold, this waterfall is the largest in the national park. 

It features a three-tier cascade and is most impressive after heavy rain. Surrounded by dense forest, this waterfall is approximately 150 meters tall and it can be reached on foot. 

The route to Haew Narok Waterfall is pretty impressive too. You’ll cross over gorges and rivers and find yourself surrounded by tall trees and wildlife. 

Hike Along One Of The Many Hiking Trails

There’s a very good chance you’re visiting Khao Yai because you enjoy hiking. If that’s the case, you’re in luck!

If you’re short on time, one of the seven short nature trails is your best option. These seven trails range in size, with some taking as little as 45 minutes and others taking over 6 hours. 

Perfect for newbie jungle trekkers, you’ll hike through mature forests following well-signposted trails. Landmarks you might pass along the way include Sai Sorn Reservoir, Haew Suwat Waterfall, and Pha Kluai Mai Campground.

Spot Wild Animals On A National Park Wildlife Tour

In Khao Yai National Park, you can spot some of Thailand’s most impressive wildlife, and the best way to see it is on a wildlife tour or safari. Thai National Parks operates a variety of different tours that give tourists the chance to experience local wildlife. 

There are one-day tours, overnight safari tours, birdwatching tours, multi-day tours, and so on. On a safari, you’ll have the opportunity to travel around the park in a safari jeep.

Species you have the chance of spotting include gibbons, otters, deer, and wild elephants. Make sure you pack some binoculars and your camera!

Feed Sheep In Primo Piazza

This one may sound quite bizarre, but Khao Yai is home to an Italian square called Primo Piazzo. Bringing Italy to central Thailand, the square features traditional-looking Italian terracotta architecture, gelato and cappuccino shops, and restaurants serving pizza and wine.

The area is also home to a farm, where you can feed sheep, alpacas, and donkeys. The scenery that surrounds the square is also well worth a mention.

Primo Piazza sits amongst towering hills and mountains that are covered in lush vegetation and forest.

Take A Dip In Ban Tha Chang Spring

Ban Tha Chang Spring is where most locals go to relax, spend time with friends, and escape the heat. This scenic spot features ponds fed by natural springs, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit or trunks.

We recommend taking a dip in the clear turquoise waters before having a bite to eat in a shaded spot under the trees. You could take a picnic or buy a hot dish from one of the nearby food stores.

Visit The Khao Yai Art Museum

The Khao Yai Art Museum sits just outside the national park, but it’s easy to get to by car or taxi. This modern contemporary museum is home to work from leading Thai artists such as Chalermchai Kositpipat, Preecha Tha Thong, and Amphur Mueang Panini. 

The museum consists of a gallery, courtyard, and garden, so there’s plenty to look at. You’ll find unique sculptures, impressive paintings, and strange art pieces from across the nation. 

There is also a whole room dedicated to the late King of Thailand.

If you do love art, make sure to check out the Art in Paradise in Bangkok; a less serious art museum but a great place for families to enjoy.

Watch A Rodeo Show At Farm Chokchai

Farm Chokchai is a 250-acre farm that you can find to the north of Khao Yai National Park. It is a popular tourist attraction, especially for families that have young children. 

Some of the best things to do at the farm include ATV riding, donkey riding, and animal feeding. However, the rodeo shows steal the show. 

Those of you who want to learn more about the farming process and how to make ice cream can take part in a two-and-a-half-hour tour.

In this blog post, we’ve shown you how to travel from Bangkok to Khao Yai and the best things to do. There are a variety of different ways to reach the national park from the capital, but traveling by bus, taxi, or rental car is your best option.

All you have to do now is decide which option suits you best and plan your trip. Don’t forget to visit the places we’ve shown you!

Looking to visit other destinations from Bangkok? We have you covered:

• Bangkok to Krabi
• Bangkok to Phuket
• Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• Bangkok to Koh Chang
• Bangkok to Koh Lanta
• Bangkok to Sukhothai