Khon Kaen Travel

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Khon Kaen is between November and April.

The rainy season lasts the rest of the year with July, August and September being the worst months in terms of precipitations. Khon Kaen is well known in the Isaan region as one of the best places to celebrate Songkran (Thailand’s New Year). If you’re around in April (usually between the 10th and the 15th) make sure you don’t miss it.

At the beginning of December the Silk Festival takes place in front of the City Hall and for ten days several shows, traditional performances and local products fair will give you a closer look to one of the main source of income of the city.

Check the below table for the general idea of Khon Kaen weather throughout the year.

Khon Kaen’s current weather and 7-day forecast

KHON KAEN WEATHER

Khon Kaen is a travel destination that is coming into its own with its impressive scenery, the variety of fascinating animal parks, the ever-present temples of the region, and the awesome lakes and reservoirs. Read on to learn about the best things to do in the area!

1. Bueng Kaen Nakhon

Bueng Kaen Nakhon is located southeast of the center of Khon Kaen. The lake is one of the main features in Khon Kaen. The length around the lake is approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long.

It is a great family attraction. You can rent bicycles to go on a family ride or enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park or just let your kids enjoy their time in the playground. You can also enjoy some time fishing, rent fishing rods and purchase some bait, and remember that fishing is allowed only on the southeast section of the lake.

2. Phu Wiang National Park

A geologist discovered a giant patella bone here in 1976 and the paleontologists who were sent to investigate then discovered a fossilized 15-meter (49-foot) long herbivore. It was later named Phuwianggosaurus Sirindhornae after Thai Princess Sirindhorn. A feverish interest in dinosaurs followed as more remains were uncovered and Phu Wiang National Park came to fruition.

Secured excavation sites, including a site with a partial skeleton of Siamotyrannus Isanensis, an ancient ancestor of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, can be easily accessed by trails from the visitor center. Phu Wiang Museum, located just prior to entering the park, has full-size paleontology and geology displays, including animatronic figures of the dinosaur species that once lived in the area. Children, as well as adults, will love it.

3. Khon Kaen City Museum

In northeastern Thailand, the translation of Hong Moon Mung means ‘a treasure hall.’ Therefore, in Khon Kaen, the Hong Moon Mung Khon Kaen City Museum is a treasure hall where the historical articles of this region and the country are preserved. The museum is situated beside Kaen Nakhon Lake in the town. It is the center for research and study where the historical data of Khon Kaen from the past to the present are exhibited independently in five zones according to their contents; from the prehistoric era to present day. The exhibitions are presented through modern designs and contemporary interactive media.

4. Hat Sawan Beach

Had Sawan (Hat Sawan) “Heaven Beach” is located in Ubonratana District, Khon Kaen. It is close to Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen. The “beach” itself is only visible during the dry season. Most people go there for a meal with family and friends and to enjoy a day out.

Having lunch in one of the “elevated” restaurants (bamboo structures) by the water gives you direct access to the “beach.” During the wet season, the water can be just meters away from your seat. At Had Sawan (Hat Sawan), you can hire floats, choose to ride the banana boat, go for a swim or just enjoy the beautiful scenery while having a nice meal.

5. Wat Thung Setthi

While in Khon Kaen, you must visit the Buddhist temple called Wat Thung Setthi because it is somewhat different from the typical temples. Its exterior is white with gold and blue accents, which is somewhat different from the typical gold and red colored temples. Throughout the temple, you will see many gorgeous white statues. There is a calming and peaceful atmosphere that seems to radiate over you as you walk up the white entry stairs of Wat Thung Setthi Temple.

6. Dino Water Park

The biggest water park in northeastern Thailand, its attractions are assembled and maintained by professional staff members from Polin, a water park attraction’s manufacturer in Turkey and Atlantis Pool, a manufacturer and installation of water park water systems in Turkey. It is the only water park in the northeastern region, which has many huge and exciting water park attractions. Currently, only some attractions are available, as the water park is in phase one of construction. However, more attractions will be available in each new phase.

7. Phu Pha Maan National Park

This park covers areas in Amphoe Phu Pha Man and Amphoe Chum Phae of Khon Kaen, as well as Amphoe Phu Kradueng in Loei Province. The natural landmark of this park is the towering limestone cliff that looks like a huge curtain. The attractions in this national park include inhabited caves with spacious chambers, massive caves accessible by car, impressive waterfalls, caves with ancient paintings on the cave walls, and many towering cliffs. You will find the scenery throughout this park to be absolutely magnificent.

8. King Cobra Village

Some of the most deadly snakes in Thailand can be found at King Cobra Village near Khon Kaen. Snakes, including the infamous King cobras, have been bred in Ban Khok Sa-Nga for many decades. The cobras have been a tourist attraction since 1951 as they are included in the legendary snake shows. It has been said, although not confirmed, that some visitors have even been killed during the shows. Seemingly, the cobras haven’t been ‘milked’ (the regular emptying of the venom from the poison glands), nor have their fangs been removed!

Budget options

Hop Inn Khon Kaen 

Add: 90/609 Moo 4, Nai Mueang Sub District, Mueang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Hop Inn Khon Kaen is a short drive from the centre of Khon Kaen. Free WiFi access is available.

Each room here will provide you with a flat-screen cable TV, air conditioning and a refrigerator. Featuring a shower, the private bathroom comes with free toiletries. You can enjoy city view from the room.

At Hop Inn Khon Kaen you will find a 24-hour front desk and a free daily maid service. The property offers free public parking.

Wesa Home Place 

Add: 680/46 Na-muang Rd, A. Muang , 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand 

Set in Khon Kaen, within 1.3 km of Kaen Nakorn Lake and 4.2 km of Central Plaza Khon Kaen, Wesa Home Place offers accommodation with a terrace and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is located 5 km from North Eastern University, 7 km from Khon Kaen University and 4 km from KICE - Khonkaen International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The air-conditioned rooms provide a city view and come with a wardrobe and free WiFi.

At the hotel, each room comes with a balcony. At Wesa Home Place all rooms are equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

The accommodation can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area.

Baan Vor. Sumongkol Service Apartment 

Add: 119/4 Soi Sumongkol, Ruen Rom Rd, Nai Muang, Muang Khon Kaen, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Baan Vor. Sumongkol Service Apartment is a 2-minute drive from Night Market. It offers modern air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. Other services provided by the apartment include luggage storage and free public parking.

The property is a 5-minute drive to Central Khon Kaen Department Store. It is a 15-minute drive from Khon Kaen Airport.
Rooms at Baan Vor. Sumongkol are fitted with a balcony, a TV and a refrigerator. Hot shower facilities are included in an en suite bathroom.

A 10-minute walk from the apartment, guests will find a variety of local dining outlets.

Mid-range options

Mantra Varee Hotel 

Add: 78/9 Choun Chaen Road, T.Naimuang, A.Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Mantra Varee Hotel is located 500 m from Kaen Nakorn Lake. It offers modern air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. Free private parking is possible on site.

The hotel is 1 km from Fairy Plaza. It is 3 km from Central Plaza Department Store and 10 km from Khon Kaen Airport.

Each room is fitted with a flat-screen cable TV and refrigerator. Shower facilities are included in an en suite bathroom. Some rooms have a spa bath and balcony.

The hotel is equipped with a pool, fitness centre and 24-hour front desk. It also has a business centre and meeting rooms.

Guests can enjoy Thai cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant.

Romantic Khon Kaen Hotel 

Add: 1 Moo.13, Kasikorn Tungsrang, Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Located in Khon Kaen, Romantic Khon Kaen Hotel provides 3-star accommodation with private balconies. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.

All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower and a desk. At the hotel every room is fitted with a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Le cassia Hotel 

Add: 68 Pimpasut Rd., A. Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Offering spacious rooms with a minibar and private bathroom, Le cassia Hotel is a 20-minute drive from Khon Kaen Airport. A massage service is on offer, and karaoke is available at the hotel’s Thai/International restaurant.

The air-conditioned rooms at Le cassia Hotel include cable TV and a fridge. Some rooms have a safe. The lobby has free Wi-Fi.

Khon Kaen Hotel 

Add: 43/2 Pimpasoot Rd.,Maung District,Khon Kaen 40000, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand 

Situated in Khon Kaen, 2.2 km from Central Plaza Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen Hotel features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers an ATM and luggage storage space. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi.

All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel the rooms are fitted with a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

American and Asian breakfast options are available each morning at Khon Kaen Hotel.

Deluxe options

Charoen Thani Hotel, Khon Kaen 

Add: 260 Srichan Road, A. Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand 

Charoenthani Hotel is located in central Khon Kaen City in Northeast Thailand. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and 2 restaurants. Free parking is available.

The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a satellite TV, internet access and a minibar. Private bathrooms and a personal safe are provided.

The hotel features room service, a business centre and a fitness centre. A snooker and karaoke centre is available.
Graceland Restaurant offers Thai and international cuisines. Chinese specialties are served at Tycoon Chinese Restaurant. Drinks are available at the Lobby Lounge.

Kosa Hotel & Shopping Mall 

Add: 250-252 Srichan Road, Naimuang, Muang, Khon Kaen, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Kosa Hotel is located at the heart of Khon Kaen, a 5-minute walk from Central Plaza Khon Kaen. It offers an outdoor pool, a massage service and free parking on site.

Air-conditioned guest rooms are fitted with a fridge, a fully stocked minibar and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The en suite bathroom comes with toiletries and shower.

Laundry and dry cleaning services are available. Luggage storage can be found at the 24-hour front desk. Airport transfer can be arranged at a charge.

International dishes and live performances can be enjoyed at the hotel’s coffee shop. Pai Liw Restaurant serves Chinese food. Drinks and light snacks can be found at the Beer Garden.

Baan Thanthip Hotel 

Add: 171/492 Soi Prachasamosorn 22, Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Situated in Khon Kaen, 3.7 km from Central Plaza Khon Kaen, Baan Thanthip Hotel features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has family rooms.

At the hotel, the rooms have a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms at Baan Thanthip Hotel have air conditioning and a wardrobe.

Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre 

Add: 999 Moo4, Prachasamosorn Road, Tumbol Nai-Muang, Amphur Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

AVANI Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre is a 10-minute drive from Central Plaza, and a free shuttle is provided. It offers a restaurant, a spa and free parking on site.

Air-conditioned guest rooms are fitted with a personal safe, a work desk and a flat-screen TV. The en suite bathroom comes with toiletries and a bathtub.

Guests can swim at the outdoor pool or enjoy a massage at the spa. There is also a fitness centre on site. The staff at the tour desk can assist with making travel arrangements.

The on site restaurant serves international and Thai dishes.

Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid 

Add: 9/9 Prachasumran Road, Nai Muang, Muang, 40000 Khon Kaen, Thailand

Located in Khon Kaen's city business district, Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid offers free internet access, an outdoor swimming pool and day spa.

Featuring a blend of European and Thai design, rooms at Pullman Khon Kaen offer views of the city or Kaen Nakorn Lake.

They are fitted with an LCD television, DVD player and en-suite bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. 24-hour room service is provided.

Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid offers a fitness centre. It also features a tour desk, business centre and parking facilities.

Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid offers 10 food and beverage options ranging from an Italian restaurant to a karaoke lounge.

Choosing where to eat in Khon Kaen can be quite challenging because you’ll have so many choices that if you just stay in the city a couple of nights unfortunately you will have to give up on something; but don’t worry, wherever you decide to go it will be delicious! The only downside is that as Khon Kaen us quite a big city, you will need transportation to get to the best restaurants, but with a little bit of planning you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic dinner.

Street Food and Markets

For street food the best night market in town is located on Ruen Rom Road, 800 m east of the train station. It is also known as Fairly Plaza Night Market because it’s close to the namesake shopping centre. Every day after 4.00pm a section of Ruen Rom Road closes for traffic and vendors set up their stalls to sell a huge variety of cheap and tasty street food.

Classic Thai dishes and Isaan specialties take the lion share, but delicious Vietnamese sausages shouldn’t be missed either. Everything comes at very affordable prices (THB30/THB50 for the majority of the dishes) and there are several tables set up for you to enjoy your meal without any hustle. The market is also a good destination for shopping, since a large section is dedicated to clothes.

Local Food

For an unforgettable Isaan experience head to Gai Yang Rabeab Khao Suan Kwang (253 Theparak Road, open daily 9.00am–3.00pm). Unfortunately it’s open only for lunch, but if you want to understand why the Isaan grilled chicken is so famous all over Thailand there is no a better place than this one.

The restaurant got its name from Khao Suan Kwang, a district in Khon Kaen province where people is particularly skilled in grilling chicken. At Gai Yang Rabeab all the grill stations stand visible to the visitors so you can watch the whole process. Gai yang is basically marinated chicken slowly cooked to perfection – and indeed it does taste like nothing else we have ever tried before.

A full chicken comes for THB160 and it can be shared between two people. As a side course try the famous papaya salad in its Laos version (_som tam lao) which is similar to the classic one with the addition of a fermented crab (THB40). Gai Yang Rabeab is within walking distance (500m) from the old bus station to the west.

Vietnamese Food

If you feel like trying Vietnamese cuisine head to Nam Nuong Lablae (61-67 Klang Mueang Road, open every day from 10.00am to 9.30pm). It is well known among locals for serving some of the best Vietnamese food in town and it can be pretty busy on weekends in the evening. The setting is really nice, with a beautiful garden and a lot of trees with a large dining area plus some more private tables (try to get one of these).

If you have never tried Vietnamese food before, then nam nuong is a must-order dish: combined in a single plate you will find traditional grilled sausages, cucumber or other veggies, garlic, chili and rice paper wraps; to make it simple, it is just the Vietnamese version of the Mexican tortilla. Take one rice paper sheet, fill it with sausages and whatever else you like, wrap everything up, dip it in the peanut sauce and ….well, you’ll find out how good it is.

The price for the full set is THB130. Many other options on the menu are available if you want to keep experimenting with the Vietnamese food. Nam Nuong Lablae is located in Klang Mueang road, close to the Bueng Kaen Nakhon Lake.

Western Food

For western food there are several decent options in and around Soi Kosa, few minutes walk east from the train station. This is a quite small area with a lot of bars, restaurants and nightclubs aiming at the expats living in town and the western travellers. Pizza, pasta, burgers and steaks are just some of the choices that you’ll find walking around here. For Italian food head to Pomodoro (Prachasamran Rd, open daily 5.00pm – 11.00pm), for the best burgers in town don’t miss Yokothai (Soi Kosa, open daily 5.00pm – 10.00pm).

Get in

By plane

Thai AirAsia flies from Bangkok (DMK) to Khon Kaen (KKC) several times a day; there are also flights from/to Chiang Mai, Pattaya (UTP) and Phuket. Nok Air and Thai Lion Air each has a couple of flights a day to Bangkok (DMK) as well. Thai Smile Airways flies from Bangkok (BKK) five times a day, and can be booked in one ticket with an international Thai Airways flight.

Contact us for the latest flight schedule and price. Or you can check via some online platform such as SkyScanner.com or Kayak.com

Here you can find some tips to book the cheapest flight

By train

Khon Kaen is on the branch of the Northeastern Line that runs to Nong Khai and Laos. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) runs one reasonably timed overnight train, Train 133, which leaves Bangkok at 20:45 and is scheduled to arrive at 06:11 in Khon Kaen.

As of 2018 the main railway station is being rebuilt and trains stop instead at a temporary station along the same line 3 km (1.9 mi) to the south. A 30-minute walk to the center, or else taxis are available.

By bus

Until 1 December 2017 Khon Kaen had three bus terminals. The newest, Terminal 3, is eight kilometres out of town and, for that reason, inconvenient. The city fathers want to get buses out of the city's core. The taxi cartel support that initiative for obvious reasons: the cost of a tuk-tuk or taxi to downtown may well cost more than your bus ticket to Khon Kaen.

•    Khon Kaen Provincial Transport Station (Baw Kaw Saw 3), Muang KK By-pass Rd (On the ring road 8 km (5.0 mi) S of city centre. Any tuk-tuk can take you there). 24/7. Since 1 December 2017, the long-distance KK bus terminal. Also has minivans to nearer destinations. Opened in 2014. 

•    Air conditioned bus terminal, Ammat Rd (Central KK. Nearest cross-street is Klang Mueang Rd.). Minivan station to places such as Udon. 

•    Central Khon Kaen Bus Station (Baw Kaw Saw 1), 46/16 Prachasamoson Rd (Central KK). Closed on 1 December 2017. 

Buses to/from Bangkok's Northern (Mo Chit) Bus Terminal depart every 15 minutes from early until late.

For quicker service, avoid the touts at Mo Chit, and ask for Chan Tour. This company provides only VIP buses, which have very large seats and a bathroom. Alternatively, Nakhonchai Air has nice VIP buses which are cleaner (meals, drink, in-coach toilet) than Chan, but with small seats. Both will cost 420 baht, highly recommended. Both have terminals separate from Mo Chit, about 1 km (0.62 mi) away, where you can wait for your bus in an air-conditioned waiting room.
From Chiang Mai Arcade Terminal 3, Phetprasert and Sombat Tour have buses throughout the day from 08:00. Evening buses run at 19:00 and 20:00 from Platform 6. The price is approximately 641 baht one-way and duration of journey is 10 hr. The only problem is at the Khon Kaen end: you are dropped off at Terminal 3, far from the city center, near the intersection of Highway 2 and the ring road south of Khon Kaen. This terminal is new (Aug 2014) and lacking in amenities (coffee shop, hotel, etc.), but there is a new (Feb 2016) 7-11 about 100 meters to the south of the Nakhonchai Air terminal. NCA has a free shuttle service for its customers between its downtown and ring road terminal. A yellow songthaew service will take you downtown to the rail station and the in-town bus station (non-air-conditioned bus station) for 10 baht (Jan 2015).

From/to Udon Thani, several air conditioned buses depart hourly from Udon's Bus Station 1 downtown. Fare is 80 baht (Nov 2015) and the duration is approximately 90 min. Minivans depart from the same station to Khon Kaen continuing on to Roi Et. They are slightly faster than the bus, but probably not as comfortable. As the downtown terminal is now closed, the buses now arrive to Terminal 3 on the southern outskirts of the city, but before they will pass the city center, stopping a few times to drop off the passengers - for the main tourist area, the best location to get off will be after an underpass near CentralPlaza, and tuk-tuks seem to wait for the buses there (alternatively, or if they ask for too much, use the Grab app).

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

By car

It's easy to get to Khon Kaen by car from Bangkok. Just follow the four lane Hwy 2. Hwy 2 also heads north to Udon Thani, Nong Khai, and Laos.

Get around

Getting around is pretty easy.

Taxis

Taxis are often parked at bus stations, the airport, and at the Central Plaza.

If you go with this option, you will want to make sure that the meter is switched on when you get in so that you won’t be ripped off.

Taxis found in bus stations normally don’t have the meter turned on.

Tuk Tuk

If you don’t want to take a taxi, you can take a tuk-tuk.

Tuk-tuk rates aren’t fixed and mostly depend on the distance, with short rides starting at around 50 Baht and long rides outside the city limits costing 100 Baht+.

Having good negotiation skills will come in handy, as tuk-tuks all over Thailand will try it on with new visitors.

Within the city center, short rides will cost 20 Baht or so, and 50-70 Baht for rides across town.

Rent a Car

Outlets for renting a car can be found at the airport and around the city centre.

Car-hire companies like ‘Thai Rent a Car’ and ‘Budget’ have outlets at the airport.

Bike

Hiring a bike is also an option. Bueng Kaen Nakhon Bike Hire offers bicycles with two or three seats.

Bus

The Khon Kaen City Bus (15B) is available 24 hours a day. Its route starts from Bus Terminal 3 and goes around the city via Central Plaza. Some buses head out towards the airport.

Songthaew

The cheapest means of transport is a red shared taxi called a songthaew. It's like a mini open air pickup truck.
It costs around 10 Baht per ride, but is slow and takes a while to get to your destination due to the number of people jumping on and off.

The downside of a songthaew is that the driver is unlikely to speak any English. However, try these popular routes that pass by tourist destinations:

•    4 (passes immigration and Lao consulate)

•    8 (travels northwest)

•    10 (travels north)

•    21 (passes the National Museum)