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Khao Yai Travel Guide · 2026

Getting to Khao Yai from Bangkok
drive, take the train, or let someone else

Khao Yai is only ~2.5–3 hours from Bangkok. Driving is how most people do it, but the train down to Pak Chong is a scenic ride that absolutely works too. Every option compared on time and cost — plus the one thing to know before you go: once you're there, you'll still need wheels.

First things first

Khao Yai is car country — but the train reaches Pak Chong

Here's the honest starting point: Khao Yai has no airport of its own, and there's no bus or metro running inside the park. So the whole plan really comes down to one thing — wheels. The good news is that Khao Yai is close to Bangkok: self-driving takes just 2.5–3 hours. And if you'd rather not drive, the northeastern railway line runs to Pak Chong, the gateway town for Khao Yai — a scenic ride worth taking. If you want it easy, you can also hire a car with a driver or join a day tour from Bangkok. Below we compare all four ways, so you can pick what fits your trip.

Self-drive
Bangkok → Pak Chong → Thanarat Rd
~2.5–3 hours · how most people do it

Via Motorway 6 (Bang Pa-In–Korat) or Mittraphap Road to Pak Chong, then turn up Thanarat Road (Route 2090) to the park's north gate. The most flexible choice, because once you arrive you use the same car to explore the cafés, farms and wineries strung out along the road.

Time: ~2.5–3 hr (normal traffic)
Route: M6 / Mittraphap Rd → Pak Chong
Up the hill: Thanarat Rd (Route 2090)
Best for: independent travel, multiple stops
Train / Bus
Bangkok → Pak Chong station / town
land at Pak Chong, then transfer up

The northeastern railway line stops at Pak Chong station (a scenic ride as it climbs), or take a van/bus from Mo Chit to Pak Chong town. From there you transfer up to the park by songthaew, taxi, a chartered car, or a hotel/tour pickup. Ideal if you don't have a car or don't want to drive.

Train: ~3–4 hr to Pak Chong station
Van/bus: from Mo Chit to Pak Chong town
Transfer up: songthaew/taxi/charter/tour
Best for: no car / not driving
Option 1 · Self-drive

Driving from Bangkok — the most flexible, and most popular

If you have a car or can rent one, this is the best value for Khao Yai, because you use the same wheels to explore once you're there.

🛣️
Motorway 6 (Bang Pa-In–Korat)
Bangkok to Pak Chong · the main route, few traffic lights

Motorway 6 is the newer expressway running from Bang Pa-In toward Korat. Take the Pak Chong exit and continue to Thanarat Road; it takes around 2.5–3 hours in normal traffic. The upside is the long uninterrupted run with few traffic lights, so your timing is more predictable than the in-town roads. There are tolls on some sections, so keep coins or an M-Flow tag ready. On long weekends and cool-season Saturdays and Sundays, traffic stacks up near Pak Chong, so an early start makes life easier.

~2.5–3 hr (normal traffic) Tolls on some sections Take the Pak Chong exit
Best if: you want to get there quickly with predictable timing and an easy long drive. On long weekends, leave early to dodge the build-up around Pak Chong.
Exit: Pak Chong, then into the district → Thanarat Road
Up the hill: Thanarat Road (Route 2090) to the park's north gate, with cafés and wineries lining the way
Fuel: Fill up before heading uphill — petrol stations are scarce on the mountain
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Mittraphap Road (Highway 2)
The classic route · via Saraburi → Pak Chong

The original route many people know: head up Phahonyothin Road to Saraburi, then onto Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) toward Pak Chong. The timing is similar to the motorway, but you pass through more towns and traffic lights. The trade-off is plenty of petrol stations, restaurants and stops along the way — it passes through Muak Lek, with its farms and cafés. If you're heading to Farm Chokchai, which sits on Mittraphap Road near Pak Chong, this route lines up nicely.

~3 hr depending on traffic Via Saraburi / Muak Lek Plenty of stops
Best if: you want to stop along the way (Muak Lek, Farm Chokchai) or already know this route. You'll hit more lights and town traffic than the motorway.
🔑
Rent a car and drive yourself
Pick up in Bangkok or Pak Chong · the most flexible on the mountain

If you don't have your own car, renting one is the most flexible way to do Khao Yai. You can pick up in Bangkok and drive up, or some agencies have pickup points around Pak Chong. It pays off because the cafés, farms, wineries and sights are spread out in a long line along Thanarat Road, so a single car gets you everywhere at your own pace. Book ahead on long weekends, when cars sell out fast, and check the insurance covers driving on mountain roads.

Pick up Bangkok / Pak Chong Reach every spot at your own pace Book ahead on long weekends
One practical tip: fill up before heading up Thanarat Road, and download an offline map, since the phone signal is weak in places on the mountain. To compare and book a rental car or a tour up the hill, see Khao Yai car rental & tours on Klook.
Options 2–3 · Train & van/bus

Not driving? Land at Pak Chong, then transfer up

Pak Chong is the gateway town for Khao Yai. Arrive by train or van/bus, then sort out the transfer up to the park.

If you don't have a car or would rather not drive, your first stop is Pak Chong, the small foothill town that serves as the gateway to Khao Yai. You can get there by train or by van/bus. The charm of the train is the stretch where it climbs through forest and tunnels — a view some people come specifically to ride. Once you reach Pak Chong, the next step is transferring up to the park, which is easy enough to arrange in advance.

Green grasslands and forested hills of Khao Yai at dusk, the destination after reaching Pak Chong and heading up the mountain
Khao Yai — the grasslands and hills waiting at the end of the journey (a view of the park)
🚆 Train → Pak Chong station (scenic)

The northeastern line from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (some services from Hua Lamphong) stops at Pak Chong station. The climb through the forest is a ride worth taking, with several seat classes to choose from. Check the timetable and book ahead on holidays.

Time: ~3–4 hr (service-dependent) · Alight: Pak Chong station
🚌 Van / bus → Pak Chong town

Vans and buses leave Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal / Mo Chit 2) for Pak Chong and Korat, dropping at the market or in Pak Chong town. They run frequently and are cheap, making this the budget pick. Allow extra time during holiday traffic.

Time: ~2.5–3.5 hr · Alight: Pak Chong town / market
🛻 Transfer up from Pak Chong

From Pak Chong there are several ways up: songthaews along Thanarat Road (patchy), local taxis or a chartered car by the day, or a pickup from your hotel or tour. Many resorts offer a station pickup, so check with your accommodation ahead of time.

Options: songthaew / taxi / charter / hotel pickup
🚐 Tour with pickup from Pak Chong

Some tours include a pickup from Pak Chong station or town and run you around the park, the cafés and a winery in a day. Handy if you've arrived without a car and want the whole thing organised, with no route planning to worry about.

Best for: no car + wanting it organised for you
Important: reaching Pak Chong isn't reaching the park — the park gate is up on Thanarat Road, a fair distance above Pak Chong town, so you'll need a transfer up. Always plan your transport on the ground first, because there's no public transport inside the park or around the cafés and wineries, and Grab is very limited.
Option 4 · Private car / tour

Want it easy? Hire a car with a driver, or a day tour

If you'd rather not drive and want someone to handle the route for you, this is the most comfortable choice — picked up in Bangkok, driven up the mountain, taken around the sights, then dropped back. It works especially well for groups and families, and if you plan to visit a winery for a tasting, it means you don't have to worry about driving afterwards.

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Private car with driver (by the day)

Hire a car with a driver by the day, with pickup from Bangkok or Pak Chong. Local drivers know the roads and the spots, and can take you around the cafés, farms, wineries and the park at your own pace. You pay a daily rate, so it works out well split between a few people. Agree the price and the places you want to visit before you set off.

Better value with a group Driver knows the roads Agree price/route first
🗺️
Day tour from Bangkok

There are day tours and overnight trips from Bangkok that bundle it all together — transport, a guide and entry fees. Some lean toward the park and wildlife, others toward the cafés, Farm Chokchai and the wineries, so pick the one that matches how you want to spend the day. It's a good fit if you're short on time and want a full day without planning it yourself.

Transport + guide included No planning needed
One practical tip: compare Khao Yai tours from Bangkok, wildlife/national-park tours, and Bangkok↔Pak Chong transfers at Khao Yai tours from Bangkok on Klook. If you're stopping at a winery for a tasting, having a driver or a tour is the safest call — don't drink and drive.
Sweeping view over Khao Yai, the destination of a drive or chartered trip from Bangkok
Khao Yai — well worth the journey, however you choose to arrive
Once you're there

In Khao Yai you'll still need wheels — and a few warnings

The honest reality, worth saying up front: whether you arrive by train, van or your own car, you'll still need wheels once you're there, because the park is large and Farm Chokchai, the wineries, the cafés and the European-themed photo spots are spread out along Thanarat Road over dozens of kilometres. There's no public transport inside the park, and only patchy songthaews on the main road. Grab is limited and unreliable here too. So on the ground your options are to self-drive, charter a car or songthaew by the day, or take a tour or the park's safari truck. For the full rundown, see our getting-around-Khao-Yai guide.

🚫 No BTS / MRT / metro

Khao Yai is a national park and a rural part of Nakhon Ratchasima province, so there's no BTS, MRT or skytrain of any kind, and no public transport inside the park — you need a car. But the train to Pak Chong is real and runs daily.

In short: no metro · train to Pak Chong · need a car on the mountain
🐘 Wild elephants use the roads at night

The most important safety point: wild elephants use the park roads at night. Drive slowly, keep your lights on and always give way — never honk to scare them off, and never approach or feed them. Keep your distance and stay calm.

Golden rule: drive slow · give way to elephants · never feed wildlife
🌫️ Winding roads + morning fog

The park roads are winding and climb uphill, with some narrow sections, and cool-season mornings bring thick fog and short visibility. Drive slowly with your lights on, and watch for cyclists along Thanarat Road too.

Watch for: bends · fog · short visibility
⛽ Fuel up + plan for the rains

Fill up before heading uphill, as petrol stations are scarce on the mountain. In the rainy season (Jun–Oct) the roads are slippery and there are leeches in the forest; some trails may be muddy or closed. Check the forecast before you go.

Prepare: full tank · plan for rain/leeches
Park entry fee: Khao Yai is a national park, with an entry fee (roughly ~฿400 for foreign adults / ~฿40 for Thais — prices can change, check on arrival) plus a vehicle charge. The gate has set opening hours. For the full details, see our Khao Yai National Park guide.
Frequently asked

FAQ · Before you set off for Khao Yai

How long does it take to get to Khao Yai from Bangkok?
Self-driving from Bangkok to Khao Yai takes about 2.5–3 hours in normal traffic, via Motorway 6 (Bang Pa-In–Korat) or Mittraphap Road, reaching Pak Chong and then turning up Thanarat Road (Route 2090) to the park's north gate. On long weekends and cool-season Saturdays and Sundays, traffic around Pak Chong builds up, so allow extra time. The train to Pak Chong takes roughly 3–4 hours depending on the service, after which you still transfer up to the park.
Can I get to Khao Yai without my own car?
Yes, but you'll need to plan transport on the ground carefully, because there's no public transport inside the park and the cafés, farms and wineries are strung out along Thanarat Road. The way to do it is to take the train or a van to Pak Chong, then charter a songthaew or taxi by the day, or book a tour or the park's safari truck. Many visitors instead rent a car in Bangkok or Pak Chong, or hire a driver for the whole trip, since that's the most flexible option. Grab is limited and unreliable in the Khao Yai area. Read more in our getting-around-Khao-Yai guide.
Does Khao Yai have a BTS or MRT?
No. Khao Yai is a national park and a rural part of Nakhon Ratchasima province, so there's no BTS, MRT or skytrain of any kind, and no public transport inside the park — you need a car. What it does have is the northeastern railway line, which runs to Pak Chong station, the gateway town for Khao Yai. The train is a genuinely scenic ride; from Pak Chong you then transfer up to the park.
Which station does the train to Khao Yai use, and how do I get up to the park?
The northeastern line from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (or Hua Lamphong on some services) stops at Pak Chong station, the gateway town for Khao Yai. The stretch where the train climbs through forest and tunnels is a view many people come for. From Pak Chong you transfer by songthaew, local taxi, a chartered car, or a pickup arranged with your hotel or tour, heading up Thanarat Road to the park and the sights. Check the timetable and book ahead on long weekends.
What should I watch out for when driving to Khao Yai?
The roads inside the park are winding and climb uphill, with some narrow sections and morning fog in the cool season, so drive slowly. The single most important thing: wild elephants use the park roads at night, so drive slowly, keep your lights on and always give way — never honk to scare them off or approach them. In the rainy season the roads are slippery and there are leeches in the forest. Around Pak Chong, traffic builds up on holidays. Fill up with fuel before heading uphill, as petrol stations are scarce on the mountain.
Do I still need a car once I reach Khao Yai?
Yes. However you arrive, you'll still need wheels once you're there, because the park is large and Farm Chokchai, the wineries, the cafés and the European-themed photo spots are spread out along Thanarat Road. There's no public transport inside the park, only patchy songthaews on the main road. Your options are to self-drive, charter a car or songthaew by the day, or book a tour. Read more in our getting-around-Khao-Yai guide.
Khao Yai City Guide
The national park, cafés, wineries, Farm Chokchai and everything you need before you go
Read →
Getting Around Khao Yai
Why you need a car, renting or chartering, and driving the mountain roads safely
Read →
Where to Stay in Khao Yai
By area — Thanarat Road, Pak Chong town, camping in the park and farm stays
Read →
Khao Yai in 2 Days
The classic Bangkok weekend itinerary — cafés and the national park in one trip
Read →
Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Phimai Khmer temple, the Thao Suranari shrine and Korat food — a trip on from Khao Yai
Read →
Getting Around Thailand
Trains, domestic flights and buses, and how to travel between cities
Read →
Klook · Khao Yai Tours & Transport

Khao Yai tours from Bangkok, car rental & transfers — book before you go

Sort out a Khao Yai tour from Bangkok, a self-drive rental, or a Bangkok↔Pak Chong transfer in advance through Klook — so once you're there, you're not stuck for wheels on the mountain.

Browse Khao Yai tours & transport on Klook →
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