Khao Yai National Park is one of the most rewarding day trips from Bangkok, and one of the first questions visitors ask is how much it costs to get in. The short answer is that tickets are priced differently for Thai and foreign visitors, children pay less, and you pay an extra small fee for your vehicle. But there are details that can catch you out, such as which gate you use, how old counts as a child, whether your ticket covers more than one day and what is and is not accepted as proof for the Thai price.
This guide explains the Khao Yai entrance fees, how the ticketing works, what else you should budget for and how to save money without missing out. Fees are set by the national park authorities and can change, so always confirm at the gate or on the official park website before you travel.
Khao Yai National Park Entrance Fees at a Glance
As of the most recent information available at the time of writing, the entrance fees for the two main entrances (the Pak Chong entrance and the Noen Hom entrance) are:
Visitor | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
Foreign visitors | 400 baht | 200 baht |
Thai visitors | 40 baht | 20 baht |
Elderly and disabled Thai visitors | Free | Free |
For this purpose the park defines a child as a person under 14 years old, an adult as a person aged 14 to 60, and an elderly person as someone over 60. For foreign visitors at the Pak Chong and Noen Hom entrances, the adult rate of 400 baht applies to adults including the elderly and disabled.
A few other travel guides still list a lower foreign rate of 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. According to the park's own entry fee page, that lower rate applies to other entrances, while the main Pak Chong and Noen Hom entrances charge the higher rate. Since most visitors use the main gates, plan on 400 baht per foreign adult and 200 baht per child.
Where You Pay
Visitors pay entrance fees for both people and vehicles at the two main visitor centers:
- Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center (Pak Chong entrance) in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. This is the main gate and the one most visitors from Bangkok use.
- Noen Hom Visitor Center (Noen Hom entrance) in Prachinburi, the second main entrance on the other side of the park.
The fee is paid at the entrance gate, so you will not usually need to buy a ticket in advance unless you are booking a tour that includes entry. The park lists more than one payment channel at the gate, so ask the staff what is currently accepted, and carry some cash as a backup.
How Long Is the Ticket Valid?
The ticket works for a single day. One ticket can be shown to enter and exit the park on the same day, so if you leave the park for lunch and return later that day, you should not need to pay again. Keep your ticket handy so you can show it when you come back in.
If you camp or stay in one of the park's accommodations, the entrance ticket is valid for three days instead of one. This makes an overnight stay in the park better value than repeated day visits.
Vehicle Fees
On top of the personal ticket, you pay a fee for any vehicle you bring into the park. Published figures vary slightly between sources, so treat the following as a range and confirm at the gate:
Vehicle | Reported fee |
|---|---|
Car | Around 30 to 50 baht |
Motorcycle | Around 20 to 30 baht |
Bicycle | Around 10 baht |
Larger vehicles such as vans, buses and vehicles with more than six wheels may be charged differently, so if you are arriving in a minivan or on a tour, check the rate with your operator or at the gate.
Opening Hours
The national park is generally open every day of the year from 6 am to 6 pm. Vehicles already inside the park can usually leave later in the evening, but you should not plan to enter late. Arriving early is the best strategy for wildlife and cooler temperatures, and the gates open at 6 am.
Specific attractions, visitor centers, campsites and walking trails inside the park can have their own hours and booking rules, so check before you set off for a particular waterfall or viewing tower.
Who Pays the Thai Price?
Thai nationals pay the lower rate, and elderly and disabled Thai visitors enter free. To qualify for the Thai price, you must show proof such as a Thai ID card or a valid Thai passport. Foreign residents who live in Thailand should note that work permits, student cards and driving licenses are not accepted as proof for the Thai rate, so expect to pay the foreign price unless you hold a Thai ID or passport.
For elderly and disabled visitors who qualify for free entry, bring your national ID card and, for disabled visitors, your disabled person's card.
Do Tours Include the Entrance Fee?
Many day tours from Bangkok include the national park entrance fee in the price, along with transport and a guide. Always read the tour description to confirm what is included, because some tours list the entrance fee separately or exclude vehicle and camping costs. A full-day tour that includes the park entrance can be good value if you do not have your own vehicle, since you avoid both the vehicle fee and the cost of arranging separate transport.
Other Costs to Budget For
The park ticket is only one part of a Khao Yai trip. Here is what else to plan for, using figures reported in earlier guides in this series. All prices are approximate and change often.
Getting there and around:
- A bus from Bangkok to Pak Chong has been listed at around 280 baht.
- A rental car in Pak Chong has been quoted at about 1,200 to 1,500 baht per day.
- A one-way taxi from Pak Chong to the park entrance has been quoted at about 200 to 300 baht.
- A scooter has been quoted at about 300 to 500 baht per day.
Food:
- Many dishes at the Pak Chong Night Market start at around 30 baht.
- Simple dishes at the stalls inside the park start at around 40 baht, and the stalls usually close by mid-afternoon.
Other attractions:
- Farm Chokchai has been listed with an entrance fee of 120 baht for adults and 70 baht for children, not including extra activities.
- Vineyards, cafés and private farms set their own prices, and some charge entrance or activity fees.
Accommodation and camping:
- Prices vary widely between campsites, park accommodation, guesthouses and resorts. Check current rates directly with the provider.
Sample Budgets
These examples are rough illustrations built from the figures above and do not include accommodation.
Foreign couple with a rental car (one day): Two adult tickets at 400 baht each, a vehicle fee of around 50 baht at the top of the range, and a rental car at roughly 1,200 to 1,500 baht, plus food and fuel.
Foreign family with two children under 14: Two adults at 400 baht and two children at 200 baht, plus the vehicle fee. A family of four therefore pays around 1,200 baht in personal tickets before the vehicle fee.
Thai family of four (two adults, two children): Two adults at 40 baht and two children at 20 baht, plus the vehicle fee.
Solo budget traveler using public transport: One adult ticket at 400 baht, a bus to Pak Chong, a taxi or songthaew to the entrance, and simple meals at the night market and park stalls.
Tips to Save Money and Avoid Surprises
- Check which gate you are using. Fees quoted for the main Pak Chong and Noen Hom entrances are higher than the rates sometimes quoted for other entrances. Confirm at the gate.
- Keep your ticket. It lets you leave and re-enter the same day without paying again.
- Consider staying in or camping in the park. A ticket is valid for three days if you camp or stay in park accommodation.
- Compare tours with self-drive. If you travel alone or as a couple, a tour that includes entry and transport can cost less than renting a car. For groups of four or more, a rental car often works out cheaper per person.
- Bring cash. Small stalls, songthaews and some entrance gates may prefer cash.
- Bring proof for special rates. Thai ID, a Thai passport or disabled person's card, as applicable.
- Arrive early. Weekends and national holidays can be crowded, so an early start saves time as well as money.
- Confirm everything before you go. Fees, opening hours and payment methods change, so check the park's official website or call ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Khao Yai National Park entrance fee for foreigners?
The reported fee at the main Pak Chong and Noen Hom entrances is 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children under 14.
How much is the entrance fee for Thai visitors?
Thai adults pay 40 baht and Thai children 20 baht, while elderly and disabled Thai visitors enter free.
How old is a child for the Khao Yai ticket?
The park defines a child as under 14 years old. Adults are 14 to 60, and elderly visitors are over 60.
Do I have to pay a vehicle fee?
Yes. A separate fee applies to cars, motorcycles and bicycles, and published figures range from around 10 baht for a bicycle to about 30 to 50 baht for a car. Confirm the current amount at the gate.
Is the ticket valid for more than one day?
Normally it is valid for one day only. If you camp or stay in park accommodation, it is valid for three days.
What time does Khao Yai National Park open?
It is generally open from 6 am to 6 pm every day of the year.
Can I use a work permit or driving license for the Thai price?
No. You need a Thai ID card or valid Thai passport to qualify for the Thai rate.
Are entrance fees included in tours from Bangkok?
Many day tours include them, but check the tour details to be sure.
Can I pay by card at the gate?
The park lists more than one payment channel, but it is wise to carry cash in case a card or digital option is unavailable.
Khao Yai's entrance fee is modest compared with the experience: a UNESCO World Heritage forest with wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills and spectacular waterfalls. Budget around 400 baht per foreign adult and 200 baht per child, add a small vehicle fee and plan for transport and food. With a few smart choices, such as keeping your ticket, using a tour if you are traveling alone and camping if you want to stay longer, you can enjoy the park without overspending.
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