The Khao Yai National Park entrance fee is 400 THB for foreign adults, 200 THB for foreign children under 14, and 40 THB for Thai nationals (20 THB for Thai children), plus a separate 50 THB vehicle fee for cars. Located about 3 hours from Bangkok, Khao Yai is Thailand’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for wild elephants, gibbons, waterfalls, and jungle trekking. Fees are paid in cash at either the Pak Chong (northern) or Noen Hom (eastern) entrance gate, and the ticket is valid for same-day entry and exit only. Below, we break down the full entrance fee & rules, how to get there, difficulty levels, and first-hand tips from our most recent visit.
How to Get There
Khao Yai National Park sits roughly 120 km northeast of Bangkok, straddling Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Nayok provinces. Most travelers pay the Khao Yai National Park entrance fee at the Pak Chong entrance (Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center), the main northern gate.
- By car (recommended): Drive via Highway 1 and Route 2090 to Pak Chong, then follow signs to the park. The full drive takes around 3 hours from Bangkok.
- By bus + songthaew: Take a minivan from Bangkok’s Victory Monument to Pak Chong (about 180 THB, 3 hours), then hire a songthaew, taxi, or rented motorbike to reach the gate.
- By tour van: Many day-tour operators include round-trip transport, a park ranger guide, and sometimes the entrance fee in a single package (roughly 2,200–6,600 THB).
- Alternate gate: The Noen Hom Visitor Center in Prachinburi serves as the eastern entrance — useful if you’re coming from Pattaya or the eastern seaboard.
A private vehicle is strongly recommended once inside — the park is nearly the size of Singapore, and distances between waterfalls and viewpoints are significant.
Difficulty & Trail Length
Khao Yai offers trails for every fitness level, and choosing the right one affects how you plan around the entrance fee and time inside the park.
- Easy (1–2 km): Paved or graded paths to Haew Suwat Waterfall and Haew Narok Waterfall — suitable for families and casual walkers.
- Moderate (3–8 km): Nature trails from the Visitor Center through mixed forest, with a good chance of spotting gibbons and hornbills.
- Challenging (8–15+ km): Longer trekking routes toward Khao Kheow or deep interior trails, best attempted with a licensed park ranger guide due to wildlife (including wild elephants) and unmarked junctions.
Terrain is a mix of dirt paths, rocky sections, and occasional stream crossings. Leeches are common in the wet season, so wear long pants and check yourself regularly during and after hikes.
Best Time to Visit
- November–February (cool/dry season): The best time to visit — clear skies, comfortable hiking temperatures, and easier wildlife spotting.
- March–May (hot season): Hot and humid; go early morning to beat the heat and crowds.
- June–October (rainy season): Waterfalls are at their fullest and most dramatic, but trails can be muddy and leeches are more active. Some viewpoints and nature trails (such as Pha Diao Dai) may close seasonally for rehabilitation.
- Weekdays vs. weekends: Visit on a weekday if possible — the park gets crowded with domestic tourists on weekends and Thai public holidays, and gate queues take longer.
Entrance Fee & Rules
Here is the full, up-to-date breakdown of the Khao Yai National Park entrance fee:
| Visitor Type | Adult Fee | Child Fee (under 14) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign nationals | 400 THB | 200 THB |
| Thai nationals | 40 THB | 20 THB |
| Vehicle (car) | 50 THB | — |
| Motorbike | 30 THB | — |
Key rules to know before you pay the entrance fee:
- Payment is accepted in cash (Thai Baht) only at the gate.
- Tickets are for same-day entry and exit — if you leave and plan to re-enter the next day, you’ll need to pay again.
- The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM; entrance gates stop admitting new visitors at 6:00 PM, though visitors already inside may stay until the road gates close around 9:00–10:00 PM.
- Thai resident pricing now applies strictly to holders of a Thai passport or Thai national ID card — work permits, student cards, and foreign driver’s licenses are no longer accepted for the discounted rate.
- Overnight campers pay a small additional camping fee (around 30 THB per person, per night) on top of the standard entrance fee.
- Feeding wildlife, littering, and playing loud music are prohibited and enforced by park rangers.
Fees are set by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and can change without notice — we recommend confirming the current rate on the official park site before your trip.
Tips from Our Visit
We visited Khao Yai on a weekday during the cool season and arrived at the Pak Chong gate at 8:00 AM to beat the crowds.
- Bring small bills. The gate staff often can’t break large notes, especially during busy periods.
- Rent or bring a car. We paid the entrance fee plus the 50 THB car fee, and having our own vehicle let us cover Haew Suwat Waterfall, Haew Narok Waterfall, and a viewpoint all in one day — something that would have been exhausting on foot.
- Go early for wildlife. We spotted a family of gibbons and a hornbill within the first hour, right along the main road near the Visitor Center — wildlife activity drops noticeably by mid-morning.
- Pack a light raincoat, even in dry season — sudden mountain showers are common.
- Watch for unmarked speed bumps on the internal park roads; drive slowly, especially near dusk when deer and elephants often cross.
- Check trail closures at the Visitor Center before setting out — some routes close seasonally for rehabilitation.
(Insert your own visit photos here: entrance gate ticket booth, Haew Suwat Waterfall, wildlife sightings, and the ticket/receipt showing the entrance fee paid.)
Nearby Attractions
Make the most of your trip by combining Khao Yai with these nearby stops:
- Haew Suwat Waterfall — the park’s most photographed waterfall, featured in The Beach.
- Haew Narok Waterfall — one of Thailand’s tallest waterfalls, a short trek from the parking area.
- Khao Yai Vineyards & Wineries — several boutique wineries sit just outside the park boundary in Pak Chong.
- Primo Piazza & Palio European-style Villages — popular photo-stop towns near Pak Chong.
- Pha Diao Dai Nature Trail — a scenic ridge walk (check seasonal closures before visiting).
(Link each of these to their own dedicated attraction page on your site to build internal linking equity around the “Khao Yai” topic cluster.)
Conclusion
The Khao Yai National Park entrance fee — 400 THB for foreign adults, 40 THB for Thai nationals, plus a 50 THB vehicle fee — is a small price for access to one of Southeast Asia’s richest UNESCO-listed rainforests. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, tracking wild elephants, or simply escaping Bangkok for a day, arriving early, bringing cash, and renting a car will make your visit smooth and rewarding. Plan your route, check the current entrance fee before you go, and get ready for one of Thailand’s best day trips from the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Khao Yai National Park entrance fee for foreigners? The entrance fee for foreign visitors is 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children under 14, paid in cash at the park gate.
How much is the entrance fee for Thai nationals? Thai nationals pay 40 THB for adults and 20 THB for children under 14, but must show a Thai passport or Thai national ID card to qualify for this rate.
Is there an extra fee for bringing a car? Yes. In addition to the personal entrance fee, vehicles are charged a separate fee — 50 THB for cars and 30 THB for motorbikes.
Can I use my ticket to enter the park again the next day? No. The entrance fee covers same-day entry and exit only. Visitors staying overnight and leaving the park must pay the entrance fee again to re-enter.
What are the Khao Yai National Park opening hours? The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM for new entries. Visitors already inside may stay until the road gates close, typically around 9:00–10:00 PM.
Where do I pay the Khao Yai National Park entrance fee? Fees are paid at either the Pak Chong entrance (Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center) in Nakhon Ratchasima or the Noen Hom entrance in Prachinburi.