By Kylian Dev
1
Haew Suwat waterfall
A 20 m drop into a pool, made famous by the film The Beach; a short walk from the car park.
Destination guide · Central
Khao Yai: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
Thailand's first national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 3 hours from Bangkok. Monsoon forest, waterfalls and wildlife you have a good chance of seeing: hornbills, gibbons, macaques and sometimes wild elephants on the road.
- Best: November to February
- €40 - 80 / day
In short
Khao Yai (Central) — UNESCO jungle, waterfalls and wild elephants 3 hours from Bangkok. Best time to go: November to February; average temperatures 24°C. Budget: about €40 - 80 / day. Weather: 24°C • Cool nights at altitude, lush forest
RegionCentral
TypeNature & park
Best seasonNovember to February
Avg. temperature24°C
Budget / day€40 - 80 / day
Suggested stay2 to 3 days
Thai nameเขาใหญ่
Must-sees
Things to do in Khao Yai
UNESCO jungle, waterfalls and wild elephants 3 hours from Bangkok
2
Haew Narok waterfall
The park's tallest (around 80 m over three tiers), spectacular at the end of the rainy season.
3
Night safari & wildlife spotting
Guided outings to spot hornbills, gibbons and deer; wild elephants are seen regularly, but never guaranteed.
More things to do in Khao Yai
- 4
The view from Pha Diao Dai
ViewpointAbout 1 hA viewpoint at the edge of a cliff with a view over the forest and mountains, at the top of the park road.
- 5
Wildlife spotting on the park road
NatureHalf dayWild elephants, gibbons, macaques and hornbills can be seen from the road, especially early morning.
- 6
Trekking trails
ActivityHalf daySeveral marked trails cross the forest, some requiring a guide. Leech socks are useful in the rainy season.
- 7
Pha Kluai Mai waterfall
NatureAbout 1 hA smaller waterfall with a walking trail, where wildlife is often seen.
- 8
The wineries of Khao Yai
FoodHalf dayThe hills around Khao Yai are home to Thailand's vineyards, with tastings and restaurants.
- 9
Bat cave at dusk
NatureAbout 1 hAt dusk, millions of bats leave a cave near the park, forming a spiralling cloud in the sky.
- 10
Farm stays and cafés
Food2 to 3 hAround the park, farms, cafés and dairy farms are popular weekend outings for Thai families.
Great forJungle & HikingYoga & Wellness
Weather
When to go to Khao Yai?
24°C • Cool nights at altitude, lush forest. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarFair
- AprFair
- MayFair
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Khao Yai: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €40 - 80 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
40–80 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~24 €
Food
~15 €
Activities
~12 €
Local transport
~9 €
Transport
How to get to Khao Yai
Transport tip
Train or bus to Pak Chong (about 3 h from Bangkok), then songthaew or guided tour to the park. You'll almost certainly need a vehicle (rental or guide) inside the park.
From Bangkok → Khao Yai
Road
~157 km · ~2.5 h by road
Nearest destinations
Khao Yai → Ayutthaya
Road
~113 km · ~1.5 h by road
Khao Yai → Bangkok
Road
~157 km · ~2.5 h by road
Khao Yai → Kanchanaburi & Erawan
Road
~265 km · ~4 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Khao YaiPartner link
Where is Khao Yai?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Khao Yai
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Thanarat Road
The road to the park's north gate, lined with lodges and restaurants, convenient with a vehicle. Mid-range room: 1,000-2,500 THB; countryside-view resorts above 3,000 THB.
Pak Chong
Gateway town, practical without a car thanks to trains and minivans from Bangkok, and cheaper than Thanarat Road. Simple guesthouse: 400-800 THB; decent hotel: 800-1,500 THB.
Camping in the park
Lam Takhong campsite, inside the park: pitch fee 30 THB per person plus a 225 THB tent, or rent a tent for 150-225 THB. Booking ahead through the park's website is recommended, especially on weekends.
Food
What to eat in Khao Yai
Pak Chong beef steak (local dairy farms)
Farm-made yoghurt and ice cream
Som tam and gai yang from neighbouring Isan
Combine with
Similar destinations
Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Khao Yai
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Pak Chong Nana HospitalPrivate hospitalDirections
- Pak Chong HospitalPublic hospitalDirections
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Khao Yai
What are the best things to do in Khao Yai?
The must-sees are Haew Suwat waterfall, Haew Narok waterfall, Night safari & wildlife spotting. Also worth your time: The view from Pha Diao Dai, Wildlife spotting on the park road, Trekking trails, Pha Kluai Mai waterfall.
How much is the Khao Yai National Park entrance fee?
400 THB per foreign adult, 200 THB per child aged 3-14, plus a vehicle fee (30 THB for a car, 20 THB for a scooter). The park is open every day from 6am to 6pm.
How do you get to Khao Yai from Bangkok?
Bus or minivan from Mo Chit terminal to Pak Chong, 3-4 hours for about 150-265 THB. From Pak Chong, a local bus to the park entrance (15 THB, every 30 minutes from 6am to 5pm) or a private taxi. By car from Bangkok, allow about 2h30 in good traffic.
Can you visit the park without a car or guide?
A few short trails near the visitor centre can be done on your own, but a vehicle or an organised tour makes it much easier to cover the widely spaced viewpoints, waterfalls and wildlife-watching spots. The park's night safari jeep tours (500 THB per vehicle, departing at 7pm and 8pm) require booking.
When should you go to Khao Yai?
The dry season, November to February, brings cool, pleasant weather, ideal for hiking. The hot season, March to May, precedes the June-to-October rains, which make some trails slippery but also turn the forest lush green.
How many days should you spend in Khao Yai?
One day covers the main waterfalls and a viewpoint; two to three days, with an overnight stay, leave time for a night safari and several hikes.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Khao Yai
Compare with the other destinations
Khao Yai is one of the 28 destinations covered in detail on the site. The destinations hub sorts them by traveler profile, by month of travel and by daily budget, to help you decide where to go and how many days to stay.