Local Transport Options
City bus: 8–15 THB/ride. Surprisingly useful network for a provincial Thai city; routes cover most major points Songthaew: 10–30 THB. Good for inner-city movement Minibus to Phimai: 50 THB. From Korat bus station 2 to Phimai town (1 hour) Rental car: 1,200–2,000 THB/day. Best for Khao Yai, Dan Kwian, and Phimai in one day
Getting to ${name}
From Bangkok (Mo Chit Northern Terminal): bus takes 3 hrs, costing 150–250 THB. Very frequent buses from Bangkok; the easiest land route to Isan From Bangkok (Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue): train takes 3–4 hrs, costing 50–200 THB. Multiple daily trains on the northeastern line; 2nd class is comfortable From Bangkok (limited flights): plane takes 1 hr, costing 1,000–2,500 THB. Nakhon Ratchasima Airport (NAK) has limited Bangkok service; bus is usually more practical From Bangkok (Mo Chit area): minivan takes 2.5–3 hrs, costing 150–200 THB. Shared minivans faster than buses; depart when full from Mo Chit
Ride-Hailing Apps
Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in Thailand and works well in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). Download it before arrival and link a credit card for cashless rides. Bolt is the main competitor with slightly lower prices. Both are significantly safer and more reliable than flagging random taxis or tuk-tuks, with transparent pricing and GPS tracking.
Motorbike and Car Rental
Motorbike rental in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) costs 150–350 THB/day and gives maximum flexibility. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is technically required. Wear a helmet — police checkpoints are common and fines are 500 THB. Car rental runs 800–1,500 THB/day. Insurance is essential and not always included in the base price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Senior Travel Writer · Bangkok · 12+ years in Thailand
James has lived in Bangkok since 2014 and has visited all 77 Thai provinces. He specialises in destination guides, itinerary planning, and transport logistics. Before moving to Thailand, he worked as a travel journalist in Hong Kong and Singapore. He speaks conversational Thai and is a certified PADI divemaster.
Our editorial standards