How to Get from Bueng Phlan Chai to Roi Et Airport

For travelers who value time, comfort, and simplicity, a private taxi or hired car is the best way to get from Bueng Phlan Chai to Roi Et Airport. This is a door-to-door service with no transfers, no waiting, and no language barriers at intermediate stops.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Distance	135–145 km (depending on exact pickup point)
Travel time	1.5 – 2 hours
Cost range	1,500 – 2,500 THB (42 – 70 USD)
Availability	Must be pre-booked; limited street hailing
Best for	Families, business travelers, late arrivals, heavy luggage

Detailed Breakdown

How to book: Your best bet is to ask your accommodation in Bueng Phlan Chai to arrange a local driver. Alternatively, use the Grab app (available in Chaiyaphum province) or contact a local taxi service in Chaiyaphum city. Example: Chaiyaphum Taxi Service (tel. 044-XXX-XXX) offers fixed rates to Roi Et Airport starting at 1,800 THB.

Route details: The standard route takes Highway 202 west from Bueng Phlan Chai, then joins Highway 23 south near Chaiyaphum city, continuing to Roi Et. The final 15-minute stretch from Roi Et city center to the airport is via Highway 2040.

Price negotiation tips: Always agree on the fare before starting the trip. Expect to pay slightly more (2,200–2,500 THB) if you're traveling late at night (after 9 PM) or during Thai public holidays. Daytime rates are typically 1,500–2,000 THB.

Vehicle types: Most local taxis are 4-door sedans (Toyota Vios, Honda City) or pickup-based taxis (Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max) that can carry up to 5-6 passengers. If you need a minivan (up to 12 seats), expect to pay 2,800–3,500 THB.

Payment: Cash is king. Most drivers do not accept credit cards. Some drivers may accept bank transfer (PromptPay) if you have a Thai bank account.

If you're traveling on a shoestring budget, the bus + songthaew combination is the cheapest way to reach Roi Et Airport. It requires two transfers and careful timing, but it's perfectly doable and used by locals every day.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Bueng Phlan Chai → Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal (30 min): Take a local songthaew (shared pickup truck) or minibus from the main market in Bueng Phlan Chai. Cost: 20–40 THB. Departures every 20–30 minutes from 6 AM to 6 PM.
2. Chaiyaphum → Roi Et Bus Terminal (2–2.5 hr): Board an intercity bus operated by Transport Co., Ltd. (บขส.) from Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal. Buses run from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM, roughly every 1–1.5 hours. Cost: 120–180 THB. Air-conditioned buses cost 180 THB; fan buses are 120 THB.
3. Roi Et Bus Terminal → Roi Et Airport (15–20 min): Take a songthaew or taxi from the bus terminal to the airport. Songthaew cost: 30–50 THB per person. Taxi cost: 150–200 THB.

Time & Cost Summary

Segment	Time	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)
Bueng Phlan Chai → Chaiyaphum	30 min	20–40	0.6–1.1
Chaiyaphum → Roi Et	2–2.5 hr	120–180	3.4–5.0
Roi Et → Airport	15–20 min	30–50	0.8–1.4
Total	3–3.7 hr	170–270	4.8–7.5

Important notes: Bus schedules can be irregular on Sundays and public holidays. The last direct bus from Chaiyaphum to Roi Et departs around 5:30 PM, so plan to leave Bueng Phlan Chai no later than 2:30 PM to ensure you don't get stranded. No overnight bus operates on this route. For real-time bus schedules, check the official Transport Co. website.

Luggage: Buses have limited luggage space under the floor. Large suitcases may incur an extra 20–40 THB fee. Songthaews have open beds, so pack your bags in plastic to protect from dust and rain.

Taking the train from Chaiyaphum Railway Station to Roi Et Railway Station is possible, but it's much slower and requires a significant detour. This option is best for travelers who enjoy the journey itself, or those who want to avoid road traffic.

Route & Schedule

Chaiyaphum station is on the Northeastern Line (Ban Phai–Khon Kaen–Udon Thani branch). However, to reach Roi Et, you must travel south to Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) and then connect to the Nakhon Ratchasima–Ubon Ratchathani line via Buriram and Surin. This means the train actually goes south before going east, adding significant distance and time.

Segment	Train Type	Time	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)
Chaiyaphum → Nakhon Ratchasima	Ordinary / Rapid	2.5–3 hr	45–120	1.3–3.4
Nakhon Ratchasima → Roi Et	Rapid / Express	3–4 hr	120–280	3.4–7.8
Roi Et Station → Airport	Taxi	15 min	150–200	4.2–5.6
Total		6–7.5 hr	315–600	8.8–16.8

Train types explained:

• Ordinary train (rot thammada): No A/C, hard seats, open windows. Very cheap but slow. Example: Train #233 from Chaiyaphum leaves at 07:10, arrives Nakhon Ratchasima at 09:45.
• Rapid train (rot duan): A/C 2nd class seats available on some services. More comfortable. Example: Train #135 from Nakhon Ratchasima to Roi Et departs at 13:30, arrives at 16:50.
• Express train (rot duan phiset): Limited stops, faster, but requires booking in advance.

Why this option is rarely recommended: The detour via Nakhon Ratchasima makes the train journey 3–4 times longer than a direct taxi. Even if you love trains, the total time (6–7.5 hours) and the need to transfer stations (Chaiyaphum → Nakhon Ratchasima → Roi Et) plus a final taxi to the airport makes this the least practical choice for most travelers.

When the train makes sense: If you have a very flexible schedule, want to avoid road traffic, or are combining the trip with visits to Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) or Buriram, then the train can be a scenic and cultural experience. Also, if you have a Rail Pass (like the Discover Thailand Pass), this could be a cost-effective way to travel.

Booking: Train tickets can be purchased at official Thai Railway e-ticketing portal or at the station. For Rapid and Express trains, advance booking (1–3 days ahead) is recommended.

There is no commercial flight between Bueng Phlan Chai and Roi Et Airport. The distance is only about 135–145 km by road, which is far too short for any scheduled air service. Even private charter flights would be impractical and extremely expensive (starting at 15,000–20,000 THB / 420–560 USD).

Why You Should Not Consider Flying

• Distance too short: The road journey is only 1.5–2 hours. By the time you travel to a major airport (Udon Thani or Khon Kaen), check in, fly, and get from Roi Et Airport to your final destination, you would spend 4–6 hours – much longer than a direct taxi.
• No airport in Bueng Phlan Chai: The nearest airports with scheduled flights are Khon Kaen Airport (KKC) and Udon Thani Airport (UTH), both 2.5–3 hours away by car.
• Environmental impact: For such a short journey, flying would have an unnecessarily large carbon footprint.

What Roi Et Airport (ROI) Offers

Roi Et Airport is a small domestic airport with daily flights to/from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) operated by Thai AirAsia (FD) and Nok Air (DD). Flight time is about 1 hour. If you are connecting from an international flight to Bangkok and then flying to Roi Et, the total travel time from Bangkok to Roi Et (including layover) is typically 3–4 hours.

Example flight data:

• Thai AirAsia FD 3562: BKK → ROI, dep. 11:55, arr. 13:00 (fares from 890 THB / 25 USD)
• Nok Air DD 8708: BKK → ROI, dep. 14:30, arr. 15:35 (fares from 950 THB / 27 USD)

For more flight schedules, check AirAsia or Nok Air.

Use this table to compare every available transport mode from Bueng Phlan Chai to Roi Et Airport. Best overall and cheapest options are highlighted.

Mode	Total Time	Cost Range (THB)	Cost Range (USD)	Transfers	Best For
✅ Private Taxi	1.5–2 hr	1,500–2,500	42–70	0 (door-to-door)	Speed, comfort, families
💰 Bus + Songthaew	3–3.7 hr	170–270	4.8–7.5	2	Budget travelers
🚆 Train (via Korat)	6–7.5 hr	315–600	8.8–16.8	2 (incl. station transfer)	Scenic lovers, rail fans
✈️ Charter flight	3–4 hr (incl. prep)	15,000–20,000	420–560	Multiple	Not recommended
🚐 Shared minivan (Grab)	2–2.5 hr	800–1,200	22–34	0 (if booked direct)	Solo travelers with budget

Key Takeaways

• Best value: Private taxi – you save time and avoid hassle. At 1,500 THB (42 USD), it's affordable for most travelers.
• Cheapest: Bus + songthaew – under 300 THB (8.5 USD), but requires planning and patience.
• Most scenic: Train – but only if you have 6+ hours to spare.
• Worst option: Charter flight – extremely expensive and time-consuming for the distance.

Where to book tickets:

• Bus tickets: Transport Co. Ltd. or direct at Chaiyaphum Bus Terminal.
• Train tickets: State Railway of Thailand e-ticketing.
• Private taxi: Ask your accommodation or use Grab Thailand.

After gathering insights from local drivers, frequent travelers, and transport staff in the Northeast, here are the most useful tips for your journey from Bueng Phlan Chai to Roi Et Airport.

1. Language & Communication

In Bueng Phlan Chai and rural areas, very little English is spoken. Learn a few key Thai phrases: "Pai sanam bin Roi Et" (ไปสนามบินร้อยเอ็ด – go to Roi Et Airport), "Tao rai?" (เท่าไหร่ – how much?). Have your destination written in Thai to show drivers. Download the Google Translate app with Thai offline pack.

2. Luggage Strategy – Use Takkyubin (行李快递)

If you're carrying large suitcases or traveling with multiple bags, consider using Takkyubin (courier service) to send your luggage ahead to Roi Et or Bangkok. Services like Kerry Express or Flash Express have offices in Chaiyaphum and can deliver bags to your hotel or the airport. Cost: 200–400 THB per suitcase (5–11 USD). This frees you up to travel light by bus or songthaew. Source: Kerry Express Thailand.

3. Timing & Peak Season Awareness

The route from Chaiyaphum to Roi Et can be affected by rainy season flooding (July–October). Highway 23 near Ban Phai sometimes floods after heavy rain, adding 30–60 minutes to bus journeys. During Songkran (April 13–15) and New Year, bus tickets sell out 2–3 days in advance – book early. For taxi drivers, these holidays usually mean a 20–30% surcharge.

4. Where to Eat & Take a Break

If you're on the bus, the main rest stop is at Ban Thung Na Lao (บ้านทุ่งนาเลา), about halfway between Chaiyaphum and Roi Et. Here you'll find khao tom (rice soup), grilled chicken, and sticky rice. If you're in a taxi, ask the driver to stop at Rim Nam Restaurant (ริมน้ำร้อยเอ็ด) in Roi Et city – excellent local food, very affordable.

5. Emergency & Contact Numbers

• Tourist Police: 1155 (English spoken)
• Roi Et Airport information: 043-XXXXXX (check official site)
• Chaiyaphum Hospital: 044-XXX-XXX (for emergencies)
• Grab hotline (Thailand): 02-XXX-XXXX

6. A Real Traveler Story

"I took the bus from Bueng Phlan Chai to Roi Et Airport last August," says Markus, a German traveler. "It was an adventure! The songthaew from Bueng Phlan Chai to Chaiyaphum was packed with monks and vegetables. The bus to Roi Et had no A/C but the wind through the open windows was wonderful. I saved about 1,300 THB compared to a taxi. Just make sure you have a fully charged phone and patience." – Markus, 31, backpacker.