Khao Yai National Park is about 200 km north-east of Bangkok, according to the park's own site. It is a popular short break from the capital, but the places to sleep are not a single resort strip. They are spread along Thanarat Road, across the subdistricts of Pak Chong, in Pak Chong town, and further out in Muak Lek and Wang Nam Khiao. Choosing the base matters nearly as much as choosing what to see.
This page summarises what we checked on the park's official pages on 16 October 2026, and it leaves out any cost figure we cannot verify. For a detailed comparison of areas and hotels, see where to stay in Khao Yai, or the Thai version, ที่พักเขาใหญ่.
How to get to Khao Yai from Bangkok
The details below come from the park's getting-here page. Timetables and fares change, so confirm them with the operator before you travel.
| Option | What the park says | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private car | A total journey of 205 km to the park headquarters via Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) | The park calls Motorway No. 6, exiting at the Pak Chong toll plaza and joining Highway 2090 (Thanarat Road), the most suitable route |
| Train | Take the north-eastern line to Pak Chong station, then a songthaew from Pak Chong Market to the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center | Check timetables on the State Railway of Thailand site; that advice is ours, not the park's |
| Coach or minivan | Take a Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima coach or a Bangkok-Pak Chong minivan to Pak Chong, then a taxi or the Pak Chong-Khao Yai bus | The park's page gives times and a fare for that bus but may not be recently updated, so double-check |
The park says a private car is the most convenient way to travel because there is no transport service inside the park. Without a car, plan taxis or a hired driver for park days.
If you are building a bigger trip, see our Isaan travel guide, the Isaan routes and food guide and Bangkok day trips.
When to go
The park gives an average annual temperature of 21 C.
- October to February: the park says the weather can get quite cold, particularly in the mountains and at night. December and January are coldest, and temperatures can fall below 10 C.
- June to September: the rainy season, when the park says the vegetation is dense and moist and the waterfalls flow strongly.
The park does not summarise the other months on the pages we read, so check the latest forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department before you go. For a nationwide comparison, see best time to visit Thailand by region.
Opening hours and fees
The park gives its opening hours as daily 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. Visitors pay entrance fees for both persons and vehicles, only at the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center (Pak Chong entrance) or the Noen Hom visitor centre in Prachinburi.
The Department of National Parks (DNP) fee list, an open-data file updated 2 June 2023 and read on 2026-10-16, gives Khao Yai at THB 40 (Thai adult) / 20 (Thai child) and THB 200 / 100 for foreign adults / children. For the stretch of tourist sites between the Noen Hom and Chao Por Khao Yai checkpoints the foreign rate is THB 400 / 200. The list covers persons only; vehicle fees are separate, so check the park's fee page. A June 2023 list can be replaced by a newer notice, so confirm at the checkpoint. See also the official entry fees page, whose own table is dated 2022.
The park forbids vehicles with more than 6 wheels, double-deckers and vehicles taller than 3.50 m.
Thanarat Road and driving in the park
Thanarat Road runs 50 km through the park from the Pak Chong entrance to Prachinburi, so visitors can enter at one end and leave by the other. Rules the park lists include no pets, no alcohol, no drones without permission and no smoking outside designated areas.
If you meet an elephant on the road, the park says to stop the car at least 30 m away and not to use the horn or flash photography.
Where to stay
Places to sleep are spread across several areas, and we describe only what we can verify.
- Thanarat Road (Mu Si): several hotels give addresses on this road, which suits travellers with a car.
- Near the park: Ozone says it is 800 m from the park and U Khao Yai says it is close to the park.
- Pong Ta Long, Pak Chong: the park lists it among its subdistricts, and large themed resorts such as InterContinental Khao Yai Resort give addresses there.
- Pak Chong town: the town with the train station the park recommends for rail travellers, which suits visitors without a car.
- Muak Lek and Wang Nam Khiao: the park lists both within its area, and they offer farm-style options for travellers with a car.
Compare the areas and every hotel card on where to stay in Khao Yai.
Planning your days
The park is open 12 hours a day, so leave early and be back before dark. If you stay far from the Pak Chong entrance, check the drive on the map before booking and allow time to stop for wildlife on the road. To go further, see Isaan or Pattaya, a beach destination near Bangkok. Our Bangkok hub and Thailand hub help with a bigger itinerary.
Nearby destinations
- Isaan: the region Khao Yai belongs to, with routes on to Khorat and Phimai.
- Bangkok: the starting point for most trips.
- Ayutthaya: another old city that works as a day trip from Bangkok.
- Kanchanaburi: a nature option for another weekend.
- Pattaya: the closest beach to Bangkok.
FAQ
How far is Khao Yai from Bangkok?
The park says it is about 200 km north-east of Bangkok, and gives a total drive of 205 km to the park headquarters via Highway 2.
Can I visit Khao Yai without a car?
You can, but it is harder. The park suggests the train to Pak Chong station and a songthaew, or a coach or minivan to Pak Chong and then a taxi, because there is no transport service inside the park.
When is the best time to visit Khao Yai?
The park describes October to February as cool, with December and January coldest, and June to September as the rainy season with dense vegetation and strongly flowing waterfalls.
How much is the park entry fee?
The Department of National Parks (DNP) fee list, an open-data file updated 2 June 2023 and read on 2026-10-16, gives Khao Yai at THB 40 (Thai adult) / 20 (Thai child) and THB 200 / 100 for foreign adults / children. For the stretch of tourist sites between the Noen Hom and Chao Por Khao Yai checkpoints the foreign rate is THB 400 / 200. The list covers persons only; vehicle fees are separate, so check the park's fee page. A June 2023 list can be replaced by a newer notice, so confirm at the checkpoint. Fees cover both persons and vehicles and are paid only at the Pak Chong or Noen Hom centres.
Can I bring a pet into the park?
No. The park rules list no pets. If you travel with a pet and stay outside the park, check each hotel's policy.
What should I do if I meet an elephant on the road?
Stop at least 30 m away, do not use the horn or flash photography, and follow the rangers' instructions.
Official sources and further reading
Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
