Self-drive to Khao Yai

[GoaTee]

Awesome information from all the brothers here! Was skeptical in doing self drive for my upcoming trip but after reading so many comments, I was assured that it should be fun (and safe)!

Just wish to seek for advice. I am planning 3d2n drive trip - staying 2 nights in Khao Yai, and on the last day, drive down to Ayutthaya for a day trip to see those ancient temples before returning the car either at airport or downtown. Haven't saw any comment regarding to Ayutthaya. Is Ayutthaya driveable like Khao Yai? Or should i head to Ayutthaya before Khao Yai to make it more sense? Not sure about that..

 

[czycius]

Hi

Could the expert here advise whether it is pitch black at Khao Yai during nite and make the driving very challenging?

Thks.

 

[PersisGal]

Awesome information from all the brothers here! Was skeptical in doing self drive for my upcoming trip but after reading so many comments, I was assured that it should be fun (and safe)!

Just wish to seek for advice. I am planning 3d2n drive trip - staying 2 nights in Khao Yai, and on the last day, drive down to Ayutthaya for a day trip to see those ancient temples before returning the car either at airport or downtown. Haven't saw any comment regarding to Ayutthaya. Is Ayutthaya driveable like Khao Yai? Or should i head to Ayutthaya before Khao Yai to make it more sense? Not sure about that..

I'm a sister.

A driving trip would definitely be fun, as its own time own target and you don't have to rush in and out of places. Just be careful on the highways. The highways are pretty straightforward to drive on, but there's a lot of heavy vehicles. Most of them are OVERLOADED with the goods they are carrying. So stay clear of them if possible.

I haven't try going to Ayutthaya on the roads, but my friend did. But he went to Ayutthaya first, before arriving at Khao Yai. Ayutthaya is closer to the airports compared to Khao Yai.

Hi

Could the expert here advise whether it is pitch black at Khao Yai during nite and make the driving very challenging?

Thks.

No experts here, just travellers.

Some parts of the road in Khao Yai are lit with street lamps, but majority aren't. So gotta drive abit slower with high beams most of the time. Of course when you see incoming vehicles, try to turn off the high beams for the moment. If your accommodation is much more secluded, I suggest you look out for certain signs to look out for easy recognition in the dark / poorly lit areas.

 

[GoaTee]

I'm a sister.

A driving trip would definitely be fun, as its own time own target and you don't have to rush in and out of places. Just be careful on the highways. The highways are pretty straightforward to drive on, but there's a lot of heavy vehicles. Most of them are OVERLOADED with the goods they are carrying. So stay clear of them if possible.

I haven't try going to Ayutthaya on the roads, but my friend did. But he went to Ayutthaya first, before arriving at Khao Yai. Ayutthaya is closer to the airports compared to Khao Yai.

Thanks Sis! Was also thinking if is more convenient to head to Ayutthaya before Khao Yai. Unless i could be sure my stay in Ayutthaya is just a couple of hours and will reach khao yai before night fall. Wouldn't want to head into an unfamiliar place in darkness..

Anyone know roughly how long will one spend in Ayutthaya? My aim is just to visit those ancient ruins..Haven't really check out the distance apart from each landmark within Ayutthaya.. Is it worth to stay one night at Ayutthaya?

 

[BlackCube]

Thanks Sis! Was also thinking if is more convenient to head to Ayutthaya before Khao Yai. Unless i could be sure my stay in Ayutthaya is just a couple of hours and will reach khao yai before night fall. Wouldn't want to head into an unfamiliar place in darkness..



Anyone know roughly how long will one spend in Ayutthaya? My aim is just to visit those ancient ruins..Haven't really check out the distance apart from each landmark within Ayutthaya.. Is it worth to stay one night at Ayutthaya?

Bkk to ayutthaya takes about an hour. You can go to

Chai Watthanaram Temple
Ban Pom, อำเภอ เมืองพระนครศรีอยุธยา Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
+66 35 322 730

https://goo.gl/maps/kQ1BHvyyNjP2

You can Google for the pictures.
It's very popular now due to the super popular drama in Thailand. You can rent traditional costume to wear also. U can go to the couple of temples nearby also. Distance quite near. Can be 5-10min apart for nearer ones. Depending on which one u want to go.

From ayutthaya to KY takes 1+ 2 hr? Depending on your actual location u wanna go. If u driving from ayu to KY, u no need to go all the way back to bkk. Just drive towards bkk about halfway then turn left and continue to KY. U can check out on Google map. So not really out of the way.

Ayu can be done in an hour a couple of hours half a day or full day depending on where u wanna go and what u wanna do. If it's touch and go, then it's enough time for you to go ayu then KY. But also depends on what time you set off from bkk.

3d2n like Abit rush? 4d3n maybe a bit more space out.

 

[PersisGal]

Thanks Sis! Was also thinking if is more convenient to head to Ayutthaya before Khao Yai. Unless i could be sure my stay in Ayutthaya is just a couple of hours and will reach khao yai before night fall. Wouldn't want to head into an unfamiliar place in darkness..

Anyone know roughly how long will one spend in Ayutthaya? My aim is just to visit those ancient ruins..Haven't really check out the distance apart from each landmark within Ayutthaya.. Is it worth to stay one night at Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a place of ancient temples and such. I guess have to depends on your interest in those kinda places and how long you wanna stay.

From Ayutthaya to Khao Yai is about 1.5hours. You can use google map to check for distance.

 

[GoaTee]

is there 2 different hertz in thailand? I saw this site -> www.hertzthailand.com and the rate within is cheaper than the original www.hertz.com .

For example, Honda Jazz. At hertzthailand.com, it was quoted 850thb / day. Over at hertz.com, it was quoted 1170 thb/day. Big difference!

Any kind souls can advise? Or you guys have better companies to recommend?

 

[BlackCube]

I think is the same. Just one is international site, one local I guess.

Eh. For hertz, for search for promo for master or Visa or amex. They usually have. Get the cheaper one lo. Hertz is book only. No need to make payment online. Payment is on the spot pay by card or cash.

Got many. Budget, rent a chic, asap all also ok one.

 

[asmira]

anyone in Khao Yai these few days? What is the weather like?

 

[BlackCube]

April May should be super hot?

 

[holidayforever]

anyone in Khao Yai these few days? What is the weather like?

I was there last Sunday. Weather is cooler than Bangkok. It was about 28 to 30 degrees in the day. On the mountain top it was 24 degrees.

 

[reggaez]

personally i feel khao yai has nothing much other than those farms as well as the cooler weather to bkk.... in fact i think cameron highlands and genting even better!

i will suggest to rent a car from BKK　airport to drive to khao yai.... jam or not please check google maps....

(speaking from my own experience.... been to khao yai twice .... )

 

[evolute8]

personally i feel khao yai has nothing much other than those farms as well as the cooler weather to bkk.... in fact i think cameron highlands and genting even better!

i will suggest to rent a car from BKK　airport to drive to khao yai.... jam or not please check google maps....

(speaking from my own experience.... been to khao yai twice .... )

Any recommended car rental companies?

 

[reggaez]

Any recommended car rental companies?

i always use AVIS or Budget Car rental.... no issues thus far... rented Vios, CRV x2 , Isuzu -MuX from them.... do note petrol in thailand is quite expensive.... RON 95 can be around SGD 1.5

if u arrive in suvarnabhumi airport, u need to collect and return car and an remote site around 10 mins away from the arrival hall.... they will have a van to load all your luggage and bring you to a giant carpark where all the car rental compaines park the cars..... can be quite a hassle when returning as well.... need to cater earlier return

thank you for reading..... speaking from my own experience =)

 

[BlackCube]

Budget, Hertz, national, avis are bigger international company more newer car usually. with promo, and discount, sometimes not that expensive as well.

thairentacar, chiccarrent are local company u can try. Always got promo and usually cheaper.

I usually rent from budget.. collect from downtown is cheaper.
rented once from one of the local company, can't rmb the name. not expensive. located at domestic terminal in DMK. pickup and return right outside the terminal. easy.
last i went, i rented from hertz, good service. car given wasn't exactly new though but ok.

 

[evolute8]

Do we really need a powerful 4WD car?

 

[BlackCube]

Nope. Any small car also can.

 

[evolute8]

Anyone been to Khao Kho yet?

 

[snowieee]

bumping this thread.. thanks for all the sharing.. i read up all the posts.. in fact was hesitating to drive up to khao yai thou been there once with friend who drove.

doing up the research where to go

anyone has stayed in the town square suite at tocasna valley?

 

[No.1AHOLE]

bumping this thread.. thanks for all the sharing.. i read up all the posts.. in fact was hesitating to drive up to khao yai thou been there once with friend who drove.

doing up the research where to go

anyone has stayed in the town square suite at tocasna valley?

Nope never been there. but how do you plan to travel around ? renting a car/bike ?