The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, excites the senses with its crazy atmosphere and always busy streets, but it is a city that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Whether you want to admire monuments and temples, palaces and markets, or are looking for nightlife, Bangkok has a little bit of everything. But once you absorb all the energy of this city, you will definitely want to rest in a quieter place. A short distance north of Bangkok is the magnificent Khao Yai National Park. It was the first national park in the country, and yet Khao Yai is a familiar yet surprisingly peaceful place. It is an environment full of waterfalls, wildlife, tropical jungles and grasslands, and is the third largest national park in the country.
Travel options from Bangkok to Khao Yai
Given the size of Thailand, the distance from Bangkok to Khao Yai is quite short. The shortest road route is 125 kilometers. That being said, the journey is not particularly fast due to the traffic around Bangkok and the state of the roads outside of the city. One option is to travel by bus, but it is also possible to travel by minibus or private taxi. Despite the fact that this is a more expensive option, it is quite popular on the route from Bangkok to Khao Yai. You can also go by train, although this means of transport does not save time or money compared to the bus.
From Bangkok to Khao Yai by private taxi
Tourists talking to taxi driver in Bangkok © 2p2play / Shutterstock, Inc.
While taking a private taxi from Bangkok to Khao Yai is the most expensive option, it is also the most flexible and fastest. Considering these advantages, we could say that it is worth paying extra, because this way you will reach Khao Yai National Park with much more comfort.
Benefits start at the time of booking. You can book private taxis operated by various companies online 12Go.asia. When you search for the route you’re interested in on this page, you’ll see plenty of options and can easily compare prices, vehicle types, and pick-up and drop-off locations. Plus, if you book online, you’ll get instant confirmation from almost all operators, and you’ll be eligible for a refund if your plans change closer to your travel date.
Taxis are a very flexible solution as you can catch them anywhere in Bangkok, even at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport. When booking, you must specify the time of day or night you want the taxi to pick you up. This is a fantastic option if you have fixed schedules and want to keep everything organized so that no plan fails. You don’t have to worry about going to the bus station, waiting for the bus to arrive, enduring possible delays, or worrying about getting from Bangkok to Khao Yai at the exact time the bus leaves. Bus schedules may not match your travel plans, and with a taxi you can decide exactly when you want to leave.
There are quite a few taxi companies to choose from in 12Go. The prices are similar enough to be competitive with each other, but you will see that there are differences between the different types of vehicles. The cheapest options are Comfort and Economy cars, which are designed to carry two passengers. If you pay a little more, you can book a suitable SUV for four passengers. Vans that can accommodate up to nine passengers are also available. The latter two options are ideal if you are traveling with friends or family, as the price per person will be quite reasonable when you split it up for everyone.
A taxi ride from Bangkok to Khao Yai should take around three hours, so this is the quickest way to travel between the two places.
From Bangkok to Khao Yai by bus or van
Vans at Mo Chit Bus Station in Bangkok © hayachanta / Shutterstock, Inc.
You can save a lot of money if you are traveling alone and choose to take a van or bus from Bangkok to Khao Yai. This is a very popular option for independent travelers or those on a budget as it is cheap and vans are always available to make this trip.
But being cheaper has its downsides. Firstly, it does not offer the same flexibility as a taxi, instead you will have to leave Bangkok at a certain time. There are several companies operating this route, but they tend to have similar departure times, with around four departures per day. Another disadvantage is that the vans do not go to the Khao Yai National Park itself, but stop in the nearby town of Pak Chong. From there you would have to get another van or take a taxi to the park. This option adds extra hassle and lengthens the trip. Also, you’d have to go to Bangkok’s Mochit New Van Terminal to start your journey, with the time and cost involved.
From Bangkok to Khao Yai by train
Another option is to take the train from Bangkok to Khao Yai. But, as we mentioned at the beginning, trains do not save time or money compared to buses. Considering that you have to add a taxi transfer to get from the station to Khao Yai, in the end the cost is close to the cost of a private taxi.
That being said, traveling by train in Thailand is an experience worth experiencing at least once, regardless of the price or duration. There are two different train options on this route. Pak Chong can be reached by train, which is located near Khao Yai, and continued from there by other means of transport, but the train journey takes 4 to 5 hours from Hua Lampong Station in Bangkok. The second option is to take the train from Thai Phaya Station in Bangkok to Pak Phli. This trip takes 2 to 2.5 hours, but a taxi to Khao Yai will be longer than before, adding an extra 70 minutes to the trip and raising the total cost.
As you can see, there are quite a few transport options. But due to the flexibility it offers and the speed of travel, we believe that taking a private taxi from Bangkok to Khao Yai is the best idea. Also, if you are traveling with other people, you can split the costs and the price will be quite reasonable.