Bangkok to Khon Kaen
Visit the captivating city of Khon Kaen, nestled in Thailand’s northeastern Isaan region and surrounded by Laos. A rare destination for foreign tourists, you’ll be met with intrigue from locals upon arrival! Step away from your typical Thai holiday destinations like Bangkok or Chiang Mai – come explore a lesser-traveled part of this amazing country instead! Below, we will describe exactly how to get from Bangkok to Khon Kaen by train, bus, or plane.
Khon Kaen is easily reachable from Bangkok 445 km to the south.
From the capital, trains heading north pass through Khon Kaen on the way to Udon Thani and Nong Khai on the Laos border. Otherwise, daily flights and buses leave from Bangkok meaning it’s a convenient place to get to.
Bangkok to Khon Kaen By Train
- Price: 234 THB
- Transport type: train
- Companies: Thai Railways
- Travel time: 6.5-7.5 hours
If you are in Bangkok looking for a convenient way to reach Khon Kaen, the train offers an excellent option. The journey is between 6.5 and 7.5 hours long and there are several trains on this route from Don Mueang station.
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You can opt for early morning departures such as the 9 am train or take one of the overnight options. While prices range from 234 THB for a basic fan ticket to 2nd class sleeper with air-conditioning, all the available choices will get you to your destination comfortably and at an affordable cost. When it comes to rail travel from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, there’s no better way of getting there!
Bangkok to Khon Kaen By Bus
- Price: 533 THB
- Transport type: bus
- Company: Sawadee Esan
- Travel time: 6 hours
Traveling by bus from Bangkok to Khon Kaen is a great way to see Thailand without breaking the bank. The price for the journey is only 533 THB, and the journey takes just 6 hours. What’s more, passengers can enjoy these journeys onboard the comfortable Sawadee Esan VIP buses which come equipped with air conditioning!
Click here to find and book bus tickets.
To get started on your adventure, come to the check-in counter at Mochit terminal in Bangkok at least 30 minutes before the 9 pm departure time, and you’ll be stepping off in Khon Kaen at 3 am the next day!
Bangkok to Khon Kaen By Flight
- Price: 1,063 THB
- Transport type: flight
- Company: AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Smile, Thai Airways, and Thai Vietjet
- Travel time: 1 hour
If you’re looking for the fastest way from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, taking a flight is an ideal choice! Departing directly from both Don Mueang Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), there are multiple airlines to choose from; AirAsia and Thai Lion Air fly out of DMK while Thai Smile, Thai Airways, and Thai Vietjet depart from BKK. The entire journey takes roughly one hour, making it a great option when short on time. Plus, with tickets starting at just 1,063 THB, there’s no need to break the bank if you’d prefer to reach your destination via air!
Click here to find and book flights to Khon Kaen.
Bangkok to Khon Kaen By Taxi
Traveling from Bangkok to Khon Kaen by taxi is an excellent and convenient way to go. The journey takes around six hours and costs approximately 5,000 THB with the many different types of cars available, ranging from economy class up to an SUV or even a van. Taking a taxi gives you the ability to enjoy the countryside views along the way as well. The taxi takes you directly to the hotel in Khon Kaen, saving you the hassle of connections.
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You will certainly save yourself some time and hassle if you decide to book a Bangkok to Khon Kaen taxi instead of using public transportation or driving yourself.
Is Khon Kaen Worth Visiting from Bangkok?
The Khon Kaen region has typically shown a greater cultural affiliation to Laos, particularly in language and social practice, meaning it’s a unique part of Thailand that makes a refreshing contrast to the well-worn tourist trails elsewhere in the country.
Despite the lower tourist numbers, Khon Kaen is a destination that is coming to the fore with its impressive scenery, lakes, reservoirs, and a variety of fascinating animal parks. The main city is surrounded by a number of spectacular national parks and is also home to a burgeoning traditional textile industry. Finding authentic Thai souvenirs here is therefore rarely a problem.
Tourists and locals alike are drawn to serene Bung Kaen Nakhon, a small lake that dominates the center of the city and is flanked by waterside restaurants that serve up traditional local dishes like marinated grilled pork. On the edge of the pond, you will find the remarkable chedi of Wat Nong Wang, which is a good photo subject with its unusual multi-tiered shape. The Khon Kaen National Museum (Open hours: 09:00-16:00, admission: 30 baht, tel: (043) 246 170) is the cultural highlight here featuring bronze sculptures from nearby Ban Chiang and other artifacts found in the area.
A little further out of the city but within easy reach of those with transport, the greater Khon Kaen area is a patchwork of natural splendor. Just over 50 km away, Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park is worth a few days’ explorations with its jungle camps, mixed forests, and cave paintings. A similar distance out of town is Phu Wiang National Park, a protected wilderness famous for its dinosaur remains and a Buddha image carved into a rock face.
The most popular wildlife attraction in the area is Turtle Village which is a sanctuary for a local species known as Tao Phek. Souvenir hunters generally head straight to Chonnabot Silks, 16kms outside of Khon Kaen, as the place to get hold of the famous locally-produced Mudmee designs.
