🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First, the big picture: Roi Et has no train station anywhere in the province. The northeastern railway line runs through Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani but skips Roi Et entirely. If you really want the train, you'd get off at Khon Kaen and catch onward transport from there. So most people pick one of two main routes — a direct bus from Bangkok, or a flight into Roi Et airport, then sort out local transport once they arrive.
Coming by BKS Bus from Bangkok
The bus is the most popular option because it runs straight into the city centre and isn't expensive. Coaches leave from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) in Bangkok and drop you at Roi Et Bus Terminal, which is right in town, so getting on to your hotel is easy. The Bangkok–Roi Et distance is about 510–520 km and the trip takes roughly 8–10 hours depending on stops and traffic.
- Main operators — BKS 999, Rung Prasert Tour, Sahaphan Roi Et Tour and others run this route several times a day.
- Ballpark fares — a standard air-con seat starts around ฿430, while a 32-seat VIP coach runs about ฿480–660 depending on the class of bus.
- Departure times — there are both daytime and overnight runs; the late departures around 19:00–21:00 let you sleep and arrive in the morning, and they're the ones most people pick.
- Booking — you can book ahead online via busticket.in.th or thairoute, or buy at the counter at Mo Chit 2. During festival periods book early because seats sell out fast.
Picking the right bus time
If you want to save sightseeing time, take an overnight sleeper coach — leave in the evening, arrive in Roi Et around morning, and get a full day out without burning a travel day. But if you get carsick easily or want to see the scenery, a daytime run is more comfortable.
Via Khon Kaen, Then Onward to Roi Et
Another route plenty of people use is to come into Khon Kaen first, since it's a major Isan transport hub with more frequent buses, trains and flights. From Khon Kaen it's about another 115 km on to Roi Et, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours' drive.
- Minivan/bus Khon Kaen–Roi Et — these leave from Khon Kaen bus terminal and run often all day, with fares around ฿90–130.
- Who it suits — anyone flying into Khon Kaen (more flights, usually cheaper) or combining Khon Kaen and Roi Et in one trip.
- The upside — more flexibility on times and airlines than flying straight into Roi Et, which has limited flights.
Flying into Roi Et Airport
Roi Et Airport (code ROI) is a small airport in Thawat Buri district, about 13–15 km from the city centre — roughly a 15–20 minute drive. The thing to know is that flights are limited: the main route right now is Don Muang (DMK) – Roi Et with Thai AirAsia, just a few flights a day, with a flight time of a little over an hour.
- Airline — Thai AirAsia on the Don Muang–Roi Et route is the main one. Schedules can change by season, so check with the airline before booking.
- Ballpark fares — booking several weeks ahead you'll often get around ฿900–1,500 one way; over festival periods or for last-minute bookings the price can climb a lot.
- Getting into town from the airport — there's no scheduled public transport, so you'll need a rental car, a rental company's shuttle, or a taxi/private car waiting out front.
- Who it suits — anyone who wants to save time, doesn't fancy a long bus ride, and can grab one of the limited flight slots.
Worth knowing about the airport
Because so few flights land at Roi Et, peak-period fares spike easily. If your travel dates are flexible, compare flying into Khon Kaen and driving on instead — sometimes the total comes out cheaper and there are far more times to choose from.
Self-Drive Car Hire — Best Value for Roi Et
Several of Roi Et's best sights are outside town and aren't well served by public transport, so hiring a car and driving yourself is the most practical option if you want to hit Bueng Kloea, Nong Phok or the Thung Kula plains in one trip. There are several rental companies in town and at the airport, and most offer free vehicle delivery and pickup both in the city and at the airport.
- Rental rates — a small sedan starts around ฿650–800 a day; a 7-seat SUV/pickup runs about ฿1,200–1,800 a day, usually including first-class insurance and a full tank at pickup.
- Local companies — there are local outfits like Chao Phayu Car Rental and JUI Car, plus operators you can book through platforms like Drivehub; most deliver and collect for free in town and at Roi Et airport.
- Paperwork — you'll need a driving licence and an ID card/passport; some places don't take a deposit. Always photograph the car's condition before you take it.
- Driving in town — central Roi Et is small, traffic is light and parking is easy. The roads out to the other districts are good highways and easy driving.
No Car? Getting Around Town
If you're only sightseeing in town — Bueng Phlan Chai, Wat Burapha Phiram, Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol (that one's just outside town) — you don't strictly need a car, because the in-town sights are close together and you can walk or take a songthaew or motorbike taxi.
- Songthaew — these run around town and out to nearby districts; in-town fares are in the tens of baht. Always ask the price before you get on.
- Motorbike taxi — easy to find at junctions and outside markets, handy for short hops around town.
- Motorbike rental — there are places renting bikes for around ฿200–300 a day, good for solo travellers or couples not going too far.
- Ride-hailing apps — in Roi Et the ride-hailing coverage isn't as dense as in the big cities, and during quiet hours you may wait a while, so leave some buffer time.
In-Province Distances to the Top Sights
Here are the rough distances from central Roi Et to the sights people ask about most, measured from the middle of town and rounded off so you can gauge travel time.
Bueng Phlan Chai (city centre)
An island public park in the middle of a lake right in the city centre — a landmark you can walk to from plenty of in-town hotels.
Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol (Nong Phok)
A huge white-and-gold pagoda on a hill, the province's merit-making highlight, in Nong Phok district — about an hour and a half's drive.
Nong Phok town
The gateway to Chedi Chai Mongkol and the natural sights on the eastern side of the province; the route is a good highway.
Bueng Kloea, the Isan Sea (Selaphum)
A large freshwater lake with a white sand beach where you can swim and eat on floating raft restaurants, in Selaphum district, about 10 km from the district town.
Thung Kula Ronghai (Suwannaphum)
Jasmine rice paddies stretching as far as you can see, one of Isan's best sources of fragrant rice — great for photos when the fields are green and at harvest.
Ku Kasing (Kaset Wisai)
An ancient Khmer stone sanctuary in Kaset Wisai district, good for history buffs who want to get off the main trail.
Roi Et Airport (Thawat Buri)
The drop-off and pickup point for flyers, not far from the city — a short drive gets you there.
Khon Kaen (onward connections)
Isan's major transport hub, used for onward flights/trains or as a tack-on stop in the same trip.
Plan your route to save fuel
Bueng Kloea (Selaphum) and Nong Phok are both on the northeastern side of the province, the same direction, so it's easy to do both in one day. Set off early, stop at Bueng Kloea first, then head up to Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol in Nong Phok — you'll save both time and fuel compared with splitting them across two days.
Which Option Should You Pick?
Cheapest
An overnight BKS bus Mo Chit–Roi Et — wake up just as you reach the city, with fares in the low hundreds of baht.
Fastest
Fly Don Muang–Roi Et with AirAsia, then pick up a rental car at the airport right away — the biggest time-saver.
Easiest sightseeing
Arrive however you like, but hire a car and drive yourself around the province to hit Bueng Kloea, Nong Phok and Thung Kula all in one go.
Ready to plan your Roi Et trip? Check out the city guide and where to stay next.
See the Roi Et travel guide →