Top places to visit in Khon Kaen

• Kaen Nakhon Lake Park

  Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Large reservoir in the city centre with jogging paths, floating restaurants and a dragon boat race venue.

• Tongsim Night Market

  Market · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Khon Kaen's most popular night market, with Isan food, music and a lively young crowd.

• Khon Kaen Zoo

  Wildlife · 4.0 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Regional zoo with elephants, tigers and Southeast Asian wildlife. Good for families.

• Wat Nong Wang (Nine-Storeyed Chedi)

  temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Striking 9-storey royal chedi with murals depicting Isan history. The top floor gives panoramic city views.

• Bueng Thung Sang (City Reservoir)

  Nature · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Smaller urban lake with evening food stalls, paddle boats and a weekend fresh market.

• Chonabot Silk Village

  Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · free entry

  Village producing premium mudmee silk using traditional ikat dyeing techniques. 30 km from Khon Kaen.

• Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum

  museum · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Museum at the site of Thailand's most significant dinosaur discoveries, with full-scale outdoor skeletons.

• Khon Kaen National Museum

  museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Excellent collection of Bronze Age Ban Chiang artefacts and Isan prehistoric culture.

• Ubolratana Dam

  Nature · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Large reservoir and hydroelectric dam northwest of Khon Kaen, popular for floating-raft restaurants.

• Wat Thung Sethi

  Temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  City-centre temple near the night bazaar, known for its ornate ubosot.

• Khon Kaen Night Market Walking Street

  Market · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Weekend pedestrian street with food stalls and crafts in the city centre.

Things to do

• Khon Kaen National Museum & Dinosaur Gallery Cultural · 2 h · from THB 79 per person
• Wat Nong Wang Nine-Tier Pagoda Visit Cultural · 1.5 h · from THB 160 per person
• Bueng Kaen Nakhon Lakeside Park & Cycling Nature · 2.5 h · from THB 160 per person
• Ban Kok Sa-Nga Cobra Village Tour Cultural · 2 h · from THB 400 per person
• Bueng Kaen Nakhon Lakeside Cycling Activity · 1.5 h

Day trips and tours

• Phu Wiang Dinosaur Park & Chonabot Silk Village 7 h · from THB 620
• Khon Kaen City Highlights Half-Day Tour 4 h · from THB 280

Where to stay in Khon Kaen

• City Center about THB 1,500 per night

  Modern city with mid-range accommodation

Hotels

• Hotel Kosa Khonkaen 4-star · THB 2,200 to THB 4,200 per night
• Charoen Thani Khon Kaen 3.5-star · THB 1,100 to THB 2,200 per night
• Khon Kaen Hotel 3-star · THB 1,100 to THB 2,200 per night

Where to eat

• KAEN Isan, Thai · about THB 850 per person
• Tumkratoei Sagate Isan · about THB 85 per person
• See Na Nuan Cafe Thai, Isan · about THB 500 per person
• Sookjailand Isan · about THB 500 per person
• Kai Yang Wanna Isan · about THB 300 per person
• Guang Tang Noodles Thai · about THB 85 per person
• Here Joi Beef Noodle Thai · about THB 85 per person
• Khon Kaen Grilled Pork Neck Isan, Thai · about THB 85 per person

Getting to Khon Kaen

Airport: Khon Kaen (KKC)

How visitors arrive in Khon Kaen

• Flight from Bangkok By air from Bangkok · common

  Several airlines fly from Bangkok Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from Bangkok By train from Bangkok · common

  The city is on the branch of the Northeastern Line toward Nong Khai, with day and night trains from Bangkok. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Bangkok By road from Bangkok · common

  Buses leave Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal frequently; the newest terminal in Khon Kaen is outside town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Udon Thani By road from Udon Thani · possible

  Buses also come from Udon Thani and Chiang Mai. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train to Khon Kaen station unconfirmed

  The rebuilt elevated station is on the Northeastern Line branch toward Nong Khai, in the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Tuk-tuk from Terminal 3 unconfirmed

  Long-distance buses use Terminal 3 on the ring road south of the centre; a tuk-tuk takes you into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Terminal 3 is well outside the centre, so plan the onward leg to your hotel before you arrive. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental
• Ride Hail

  Grab operates in Khon Kaen and is a straightforward way to book a car around the city centre.

  Get Grab Thailand

• Shared Taxi

  Numbered songthaews run set routes from the main bus station; wave one down and ring the bell to get off.

• Walking

Paying

• Grab ride-hailing, taxis, tuk-tuks and songthaews all operate in town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Generic tourist overcharge

  Major tourist zones

  Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.

  How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.

Best time to visit Khon Kaen

• Jan 31°C
• Feb 34°C
• Mar 36°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 35°C
• Jun 32°C
• Jul 33°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 29°C
• Nov 29°C
• Dec 29°C

More in Thailand

• Bangkok
• Pattaya
• Phuket
• Chiang Mai
• Krabi
• Surat Thani (Koh Samui)

Frequently asked questions about Khon Kaen

How many days do you need in Khon Kaen?

A typical trip to Khon Kaen is 1-2 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Khon Kaen?

The highest-rated places in our Khon Kaen guide are Wat Nong Wang (Nine-Storeyed Chedi), Wat Thung Sethi, Khon Kaen Night Market Walking Street, Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, Kaen Nakhon Lake Park.

Where should I stay in Khon Kaen?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Khon Kaen: City Center.

How do I get around Khon Kaen?

Ways to get around Khon Kaen covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Ride-hailing app, Shared taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Khon Kaen?

Scams reported to us for Khon Kaen include Generic tourist overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Khon Kaen?

Average daytime highs in Khon Kaen run from 29°C in Oct to 37°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Khon Kaen?

The nearest airport to Khon Kaen has the code KKC.