Getting Here and Away
Written by FunIsAll | 
By Plane
Thai Airways (TG) offers 3 daily flights between Bangkok and Khon Kaen,
Nok-Air 3 times per week between Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen.
Transfer to Khon Kaen:
- By Taxi
- The bigger hotels (i. e. Pullman, Charoen Thani, Bussarakam, Kosa, Kaen Inn, Roma, Khon Kaen Hotel) have their own Airport Shuttles
- By "AVIS" Airport Shuttle. The AVIS counter is in the Arrival area near the exits.
By Car
On Highway 2 (Friendship Highway), 450km from Bangkok and 210km from Nong Khai.
The Highway is in quite good condition but be careful if you plan a night trip. Construction sites are mostly not illuminated and secured, reckless and drunk or drugged drivers and truckers can make your trip a dangerous adventure.
AVIS and Budget have branches at Khon Kaen Airport, one way rent is possible.
By Train
Trains from Bangkok leave at Hualampong.
Highly recommended is the night-train, leaving Hualampong at 20:00 in a 2-person 1st class cabin.
By Bus
Ordinary buses (non-AC) between Bangkok and Khon Kaen charge approx. 150 Baht. They are only recommended for persons of short stature and adventuresome people. The small space and the chaotic way of driving are by sure not everyone’s taste. Additionally they stop in every small village to pick up or let off passengers.
Aircon VIP bus is around 350 to 400Bt, 1st Class bus 500-550Bt.
Nakhornchai Air and Chan Tours are my recommendations.
The trip between Bangkok and Khon Kaen takes 6.5 hours, food and drinks are included in the fare and served on board.
Nakhornchai Air (NCA-VIP) has mostly new buses with 32 seats. Stopover is in Korat (Nakhorn Ratchasima) but at nighttime it is often impossible to leave the bus for a cigarette break.
NCA leaves from Bangkok at the "Northeastern Bus Terminal", Mor Chit (Lane 15-17, Ticket Counter 17-19) and the "Nakhornchai-Air Terminal" (Sathaani Nakhornchai Air, ca. 3km from Mor Chit Terminal).
In Khon Kaen the AC-terminal is at Klang Muang Rd.
Chan Tours VIP uses double deckers with 24 seats, only 3 seats per row. It is like flying Business class, spacious and comfortable. Stopover is in Korat and Phon.
On all buses, smoking and alcohol consumption is not allowed!
Airport Transfer from/to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
The Government Bus Company offers a Bus Service (Bus 825, 23:30) between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Nong Khai, via Khon Kaen.