ThailandVoyager
Destination guide · Central

Khao Yai: the 10 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.

Kylian DevBy Kylian Dev

  • Best: November to February
  • €40 - 80 / day
View on the map Estimate my budget

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
Khao Yai, Central (1/3)Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Khao Yai, Central (2/3)Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Khao Yai, Central (3/3)Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Must-sees

Top 10 things to do in Khao Yai

UNESCO jungle, waterfalls and wild elephants 3 hours from Bangkok

Haew Suwat waterfall – Khao YaiPhoto: Wikimedia Commons
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.

Haew Narok waterfall – Khao YaiPhoto: Wikimedia Commons
2

Haew Narok waterfall

The park's tallest (around 80 m over three tiers), spectacular at the end of the rainy season.

Night safari & wildlife spotting – Khao YaiPhoto: Wikimedia Commons
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

  1. 4

    The view from Pha Diao Dai

    ViewpointAbout 1 h

    A viewpoint at the edge of a cliff with a view over the forest and mountains, at the top of the park road.

  2. 5

    Wildlife spotting on the park road

    NatureHalf day

    Wild elephants, gibbons, macaques and hornbills can be seen from the road, especially early morning.

  3. 6

    Trekking trails

    ActivityHalf day

    Several marked trails cross the forest, some requiring a guide. Leech socks are useful in the rainy season.

  4. 7

    Pha Kluai Mai waterfall

    NatureAbout 1 h

    A smaller waterfall with a walking trail, where wildlife is often seen.

  5. 8

    The wineries of Khao Yai

    FoodHalf day

    The hills around Khao Yai are home to Thailand's vineyards, with tastings and restaurants.

  6. 9

    Bat cave at dusk

    NatureAbout 1 h

    At dusk, millions of bats leave a cave near the park, forming a spiralling cloud in the sky.

  7. 10

    Farm stays and cafés

    Food2 to 3 h

    Around the park, farms, cafés and dairy farms are popular weekend outings for Thai families.

Tours and activities in Khao YaiPartner
Great forJungle & HikingYoga & Wellness

Weather

When to go to Khao Yai?

24°C • Cool nights at altitude, lush forest. Month-by-month outlook:

  1. JanIdeal
  2. FebIdeal
  3. MarFair
  4. AprFair
  5. MayFair
  6. JunRain / monsoon
  7. JulRain / monsoon
  8. AugRain / monsoon
  9. SepRain / monsoon
  10. OctRain / monsoon
  11. NovIdeal
  12. DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Thailand weather month by month Travelling in the rainy season

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

Estimate my budget for Khao Yai

Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)

Accommodation
~24 €
Food
~15 €
Activities
~12 €
Local transport
~9 €
How much a trip to Thailand costs Convert baht into your currency

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

~121 km · ~2 h by road

Nearest destinations

Khao Yai → Ayutthaya

Road

~87 km · ~1.5 h by road

Khao Yai → Bangkok

Road

~121 km · ~2 h by road

Khao Yai → Pattaya

Road

~177 km · ~3 h by road

Times and tickets Bangkok → Khao YaiPartner
Build an itinerary with Khao Yai Getting around Thailand: buses, trains, ferries

Where is Khao Yai?

BangkokKhao Yai
Khao Yai is in the Central region, about 121 km from Bangkok as the crow flies.

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.

Pak Chong

Gateway town, practical without a car and cheap.

Camping in the park

Lam Takhong: national park tents and bungalows, book ahead.

See hotels in Khao YaiPartner
Full guide: where to stay in Khao Yai

Food

What to eat in Khao Yai

Pak Chong beef steak (local dairy farms)

Pak Chong beef steak (local dairy farms)

Farm-made yoghurt and ice cream

Farm-made yoghurt and ice cream

Som tam and gai yang from neighbouring Isan

Som tam and gai yang from neighbouring Isan

Combine with

Similar destinations

Bangkok
Bangkok
Central · €35 - 65 / dayDiscover
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya
Central · €25 - 45 / dayDiscover
Kanchanaburi & Erawan
Kanchanaburi & Erawan
Central · €25 - 40 / dayDiscover

FAQ

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 many days should I spend in Khao Yai?

2 to 3 days

Build an itinerary with Khao Yai
What is the best time to visit Khao Yai?

The best season is November to February. 24°C • Cool nights at altitude, lush forest. Where possible, avoid the monsoon months shown in the calendar above.

Thailand weather month by month
What daily budget should I plan for Khao Yai?

Plan on roughly €40 - 80 / day per person (Mid-range), excluding international flights. Use the budget calculator to fine-tune it to your travel style.

Estimate my budget for Khao Yai
How do I get to Khao Yai?

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 is about 121 km away as the crow flies.

Getting around Thailand: buses, trains, ferries
Which area should I stay in, in Khao Yai?

The most popular areas are Thanarat Road, Pak Chong, Camping in the park. The choice mostly depends on the vibe you want: lively, family-friendly or quiet.

Full guide: where to stay in Khao Yai

Plan your trip

Tools to plan your stay in Khao Yai

When to goWeather by region, month by month.Itinerary plannerChain stops and transport.Packing listTailored to region and season.Budget calculatorYour total budget, stop by stop.Compare toolTwo destinations side by side.Thailand visaExemption, e-Visa and formalities.