Room for animals, and for children to run
Khao Kheow Open Zoo covers a large area of forested hills in Si Racha district, Chonburi, roughly between Pattaya and Bangkok, and the name is honest: much of it is open enclosures, walk-through areas and green space rather than rows of cages. It is a place where children can move around freely and where the distances are long enough that most visitors use wheels as well as legs to get between sections. Because the zoo sits on hillsides, the paths go up and down, so comfortable shoes and a stroller with decent wheels make the day noticeably easier.
For families staying in Pattaya it is a good alternative to a full Bangkok day out. The drive is short, the whole outing fits comfortably into one day, and you can be back at the hotel pool by late afternoon if the little ones are flagging.
A short ride means a happy start
From Pattaya the van Pattaya to Khao Kheow Open Zoo trip takes about an hour, heading north towards Si Racha and then inland into the hills. That is short enough for small children to arrive awake and in a good mood, and just long enough for one snack. Your driver drops you at the zoo entrance, and either waits or comes back at a time you agree. Small children often fall asleep on the drive back, so it can be worth planning dinner for after the nap rather than before it.
- Hats, sun cream and refillable water bottles for everyone
- A change of clothes for the little ones for the ride back
- Strollers and cool bags fit easily in the back of the van
- Need child seats? Tell us the ages when you book and we let you know what we can arrange
Turning the zoo into a full family day
Khao Kheow is not on our standard rate table, so send us your hotel, the date, how many adults and children, and whether you want the driver to wait. We confirm one fixed price for the whole vehicle in chat before the trip, with tolls and fuel included. There is no deposit, and you pay the driver in cash afterwards. Waiting time and the return to Pattaya are priced in chat before you go, so nobody has to negotiate with tired children in the car.
Fancy a seafood lunch in Si Racha or a stop at Bang Saen beach on the way home? Plan a whole day with several stops in our trip planner and we quote it as one fixed price. For grandparents, a stroller and a bag of spare clothes, the nine-seat Toyota Commuter van with room for eight bags is the easy choice, and it keeps the Van Pattaya to Khao Kheow Open Zoo day simple from hotel door to zoo gate and back.