🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
There's one thing that trips people up about getting around Korat and Khao Yai: a lot of folks assume Khao Yai is in Korat town, but it's actually over by Pak Chong district, which is a different zone from Korat city centre. If your goal is the cafes, vineyards, and Khao Yai National Park, base yourself around Pak Chong. If you're after Ya Mo, Wat Ban Rai, and Phimai, head into Korat town. This article splits into three parts: from Bangkok to Korat-Pak Chong · getting around Korat town · how to get up to Khao Yai — pick what fits your style and budget.
Distance from Bangkok and the route overview
From Bangkok to Korat town is roughly 260 kilometres, around 3-4 hours by car depending on traffic. Pak Chong-Khao Yai sits before you reach Korat town, about 165-180 kilometres from Bangkok and around 2.5-3 hours away. The main route is the Mittraphap Road (Highway 2). On long weekends the Muak Lek-Pak Chong stretch jams up badly, so leaving plenty of buffer time will save you a lot of stress.
Check before you set off
If your destination is Khao Yai or Pak Chong, you don't need to go into Korat town at all — getting off at Pak Chong saves a lot of time. Plenty of people ride all the way to Korat town and then have to backtrack, wasting hours for nothing.
From Bangkok to Korat-Pak Chong: what's the best way?
There are three main options from Bangkok: train, bus, and van/minibus. Trains and buses cover both Korat town and Pak Chong, while the Khao Yai vans mainly drop you at Pak Chong. Choose based on where your destination sits and the kind of ride you prefer.
Train — the relaxed option, stops at both Pak Chong and Korat
You board at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (Bang Sue) on the Northeastern Line, which reaches Pak Chong station first and then Nakhon Ratchasima station. Fares start cheap at around 110-150 THB depending on class and service. There are express and rapid trains running several times a day, and the real charm is the scenery as the line winds through the hills around Muak Lek-Pak Chong, which is gorgeous. Book ahead through the D-Ticket app or dticket.railway.co.th.
Bus/coach — fast, frequent, comfy seats
You board at Mo Chit 2 bus terminal; the popular operators are Air Korat Pattana and Transport Co. (999). Fares run around 210-260 THB depending on class, taking about 3.5-4 hours. Departures are frequent, nearly hourly, so you won't wait long. The VIP buses have wide, comfortable seats — better than the train if you want to nap on the way. Book online ahead of time over holidays.
Khao Yai vans/minibus — drops you right at Pak Chong
If Khao Yai is your direct destination, the Bangkok-Pak Chong vans are the most convenient. You board at Mo Chit or Rangsit, pay around 150-160 THB, and the ride takes about 3 hours, dropping you at Pak Chong Market in the town centre — close to the motorbike rental and songthaew stands that head up to Khao Yai. Ideal if you have no car and want to connect straight up the mountain.
Driving yourself — the most flexible for Khao Yai
For Khao Yai, where the cafes, vineyards, and sights are spread out many kilometres apart, driving yourself is the most nimble option. Take Motorway M6 or the Mittraphap Road and you're there, and you can drive your own car right up into the park. The downside is the long-weekend traffic around Pak Chong and the parking at popular cafes filling up fast — leaving a bit earlier in the morning makes it easier.
Getting around Korat town
Korat town is fairly large, with sights like the Ya Mo Monument, the Chumphon Gate, the temples, and the big malls spread out — walking alone won't cut it. The main ways to get around town are the local songthaews, ride-hailing apps, and car rental. Far-flung spots like Phimai Historical Park or Wat Ban Rai are outside town, so you'll need a car or a chartered ride to reach them comfortably.
Rent a car and drive — the most comprehensive
Korat and Khao Yai sights are far apart, so renting a car is the best value if you want to cover several places. A sedan rental runs around 900-1,500 THB a day depending on the model. There are major firms like Budget and ASAP plus local outfits in town, and some will deliver to the train station or Korat airport (NAK). Bring your driver's licence and a credit card for the deposit, and book ahead in high season for better rates.
Ride-hailing apps/taxis — convenient in town
Ride-hailing apps work in Korat town and are easy to catch around the centre, the malls, and the bus terminal. They suit people who don't want to drive and are only sightseeing within town. Fares are by distance. The catch is that once you head out of town or to far-off spots, cars get scarce — the wait can be long and the fare higher.
Songthaews/local buses — the most budget-friendly
Korat has songthaews and local buses running several routes around town, with fares in the tens of baht, passing key spots like Ya Mo, the malls, and the markets. They suit budget travellers who aren't in a rush and can read the route numbers. The downside is there's no fixed timetable, and they're not suited for dragging out to sights beyond town.
Chartered car/car with driver — for Phimai & Wat Ban Rai
If you want to visit Phimai Historical Park, Wat Ban Rai, or the Lam Takhong Dam outside town without driving yourself, a chartered car with a driver is the most comfortable. It suits groups or families, and the price depends on the distance and number of hours. Always agree on the route and price clearly before you set off.
Match your ride to your style
Only a few sights within Korat town = ride-hailing app/songthaew · want to tackle both town and Khao Yai over several days = rent a car and drive · heading to Phimai/Wat Ban Rai without wanting to drive = chartered car with driver.
How to get up to Khao Yai — with a car vs. without
Khao Yai is the spot people ask about most when it comes to transport, because there's no public transport running inside the park. The sights, waterfalls, and viewpoints sit many kilometres apart, so you need your own wheels. There are two entrance gates: the Sao Chao Pho gate on the Pak Chong side (Nakhon Ratchasima) and the Noen Hom gate on the Prachinburi side. Most people go in via the Pak Chong side because it's close to the cafes and accommodation.
Own car/rental — drive straight up into the park
The easiest and most flexible way: drive your own or a rental car right up the Sao Chao Pho gate on the Pak Chong side. You pay a vehicle fee on top of the per-person park entry, then drive around to Heo Suwat Waterfall, the viewpoints, and the trailheads as you please. This is the best option because the sights inside Khao Yai are far apart — walking is out of the question.
Rent a motorbike in Pak Chong — the backpacker route
People without a car often rent a motorbike from Pak Chong Market and ride up to Khao Yai themselves. Rental runs around 300-500 THB a day, freer and cheaper than hiring a car, but you need to ride confidently and be ready for the long, steep mountain climb. Watch for afternoon fog and rain, always wear a helmet, and bring your ID card/passport as the shops will ask for it as a deposit.
Pak Chong songthaew — only goes to the gate
From Pak Chong Market there's a songthaew running to the end of the line at the Sao Chao Pho gate (the park office/entry point), with a fare of around 15 THB, leaving roughly every 30 minutes between 6am and 5pm. But remember the songthaew only goes as far as the gate — it won't take you up to the waterfalls or viewpoints higher up, so you'll have to connect onward or hitch a ride with other tourists.
Join a tour/charter a half- or full-day jeep — no driving
A popular choice for car-less travellers is booking a Khao Yai join-in tour or chartering a jeep with a driver from your accommodation or Pak Chong. A guide takes you around the waterfalls, viewpoints, and wildlife-spotting stops all in one go — great if you don't want to ride a motorbike up the mountain yourself. The price depends on the program and group size; check whether the park entry fee is included before you book.
What a lot of people get wrong about Khao Yai
There's no public transport running inside the park to connect onward. If you come without a car hoping to take a songthaew up to the waterfalls, you'll be stuck because the songthaew only goes as far as the gate. The sure bet for car-less travellers is to rent a motorbike in Pak Chong, or just book a join-in tour or charter a jeep.
Travel plans by style
No car, tackling Khao Yai
Van/train to Pak Chong + rent a motorbike to ride up to Khao Yai, or book a join-in tour that covers the waterfalls and viewpoints in a single day.
Korat town in full
Mo Chit 2 bus or train into Korat town + ride-hailing apps around town — pay respects at Ya Mo, wander the old town, and eat your way through.
Both Korat and Khao Yai
Drive yourself or rent a car to cover the Khao Yai cafes-vineyards, Phimai Historical Park, and Wat Ban Rai all in one trip.
Travel tips worth knowing
- Heavy traffic on long weekends — the Muak Lek-Pak Chong stretch jams up for long stretches on holidays. Leaving at dawn before sunrise, or avoiding public holidays altogether, makes it far easier.
- Book train/bus tickets ahead — seats fill fast on weekends and long holidays. Booking through the D-Ticket app or a bus-booking site in advance gives more peace of mind.
- Khao Yai isn't in Korat town — if your destination is Khao Yai, get off at Pak Chong; don't accidentally ride all the way to Korat town and have to backtrack.
- You need your own wheels inside the park — Khao Yai has no public transport running inside, so arrange a car, motorbike, or a join-in tour in advance.
- Budget for park entry and the vehicle fee — Khao Yai charges a per-person entry and a vehicle fee separately. Have cash ready to pay at the gate.
Plan a full Korat-Khao Yai trip with all the sights, food, and places to stay
See the Korat travel guide →