Esan Tour

3.4
32 customer reviews
  • About
  • Popular Routes
  • Stations
  • Reviews
  • Schedule and Timetable

About Esan Tour

Company Imformation

Based in Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station, to the east of the old town, Esan Tour provides services to the Esan region in north-eastern Thailand, the country’s largest province which borders both Cambodia and Laos.

Routes Served by Esan Tour

Chiang Mai–Khon Kaen

There are three services each day from Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen, at 05.00, 07.00 and 19.00 (scheduled to arrive into Khon Kaen at 17.50, 19.50 and 05.10 respectively). The trip lasts around 10 hours from Chiang Mai and tickets are priced from THB520, with tickets costing THB900 for the overnight service departing Chiang Mai at 19.00.

The return trip departs Khon Kaen three times each day as well at 04.20, 06.20 and 19.00 (arriving at 14.30, 16.30 and 05.10). The tickets are available for the same price from Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai.

Chiang Rai–Khon Kaen

From Chiang Rai there is one departure each day to Khon Kaen at 18.00 and due to arrive at 06.20. The journey is scheduled to last just over 12 hours in either direction with tickets priced at THB567 each way. The service from Khon Kaen to Chiang Rai departs at 18.30 each day and is scheduled to arrive into Chiang Rai at 06.40 the following morning.

Bangkok–Khon Kaen & Udon Thani

Esan Tour also offers services from Bangkok to this region, with departures to both Khon Kaen and Udon Thani each day. There are two departures heading from the capital to Udon Thani each day at 21.00 and 21.30, with the trip lasting around 10 hours so you are due to arrive at 07.00 the following morning with tickets available at THB440. En route, these services call to Khon Kaen, with a scheduled duration of seven hours for this trip and tickets priced at THB400.

Pros

The biggest advantage with travelling with Esan Tour is that the operator uses large buses which tend to be far more comfortable than smaller minivans which are often cramped. This is especially important if you are travelling for 10 hours. Also, minivans will not allow for a large amount of luggage to be transported so you will often have bags under your feet or even on your lap. Fortunately, this is not the case when using a larger bus.

There is a good range of departure times, with the option of day and overnight services on these routes, although they are more expensive. This is especially useful for anyone who may need to arrive in Chiang Mai for early the next morning, as the Esan Tour service arrives at around 05.00 from Khon Kaen. Also, the option of visiting Udon Thani and its proximity to the border of Laos and Vientiane is a popular option for many.

Cons

Delays are pretty common on these routes as well as others across the country. You will need to bear this in mind if you are travelling to Chiang Mai to catch a flight or heading to the border with Laos.

Keep in mind

Esan Tour uses larger buses with a capacity for 40 passengers, as opposed to the smaller minivans that are often used on routes across the country.

Travellers Reviews

The service to Udon Thani is popular with those heading towards the border with Laos and you can cross over to visit Vientiane quite easily. This is also a good option if your visa is expiring and you need to exit the country during the next few days, especially as it is considerably cheaper than a flight.

Esan Tour services are comfortable and, with a good range of departure times on offer, are popular choices with travellers looking to head from either Bangkok or Chiang Mai to this region of the country.

Read more

Esan Tour Popular Routes

Chiang Mai - Khon Kaen
09:30, 09:31, 19:00, 19:01
Khon Kaen - Chiang Mai
09:30, 16:30
Khon Kaen - Chiang Rai
18:30
Chiang Rai - Khon Kaen
18:00
NaN Passengers

Esan Tour Schedule & Timetable

ClassDeparture StationArrival StationDepartureArrivalTravel time
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 309:0021:0012h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 309:1521:1512h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 309:3022:3013h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 311:1523:1512h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 311:3023:3012h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 316:3004:3012h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 318:1506:1512h 0m
ExpressChiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 319:3007:3012h 0m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 207:0019:0012h 0m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 207:0119:0011h 59m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 208:3020:3012h 0m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 208:3120:3011h 59m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 209:3021:3012h 0m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 209:3121:3011h 59m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 219:0007:0012h 0m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Mai Arcade 219:0107:0011h 59m
ExpressChiang Rai Bus Terminal 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 318:3007:3013h 0m
ExpressKhon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 218:0005:3011h 30m

Esan Tour Stations

Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2Chiang Mai Arcade 2Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 3Khon Kaen

Esan Tour Company Reviews

A &
Old, dirty bus. VERY, VERY SLOW. DOES NOT REALIZE THE PROSPECTED TRAVEL TIME. ARRIVAL 2HRS LATER IN CHIANG MAI. Bus makes many stops and deviates greatly from the route. The stops are also far too short to eat properly, you barely have time to pee. Never again!
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jan 9, 2024
A V
Lights off while moving, comfortable seat, pilloe for the head, support for the feet, blanket and water. It was better than I expected :)
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Nov 3, 2022
M T
The bus arrived at our destination a little late, which honestly wasn't a problem considering the number of stops made on the way. The seats though were extremely uncomfortable and it was clear no considerations were made for taller people, as my legs barely fit and if I made them fit, I was sitting up straight with the headrest almost under my shoulders. Basically I didn't any sleep due to discomfort and the only good things were the blanket, the water and the bus completing the trip.
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Mar 1, 2020
S M
The bus itself departed and arrived on time with no problems. Even though I had been assigned a seat, when I got on the bus, there were other people sitting on the bus and there was no sign of movement, but the staff checking my ticket guided me to a different seat. The bus I boarded had a transfer and I had told the staff where I was going, so they told me and I was able to change buses without incident. Basically, English is not spoken, so you should be able to get your ticket out quickly on the bus. That way, they will tell you when you arrive at the bus terminal where you change or get off.
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Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jul 28, 2019
B D
Nice space, no plugs. Took a little long but I expected that.
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jul 28, 2019
C S
Everything was good. Just a bit small chair, I prefer to pay more for comfortable sleep.
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jul 23, 2019
R B
On time, good service.
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Apr 1, 2019
S C
Hard to sleep, makes lots of stops, can be cold, no food provided for a 12 hour night bus
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Nov 26, 2018
M D
There are lots of stops on this journey - i guess should be expected ona 12 hr ride. Seats reclined and blankets given which was nice but it was freezing cold artic temperatures during the night. My 5 friends and i could barely get comfortable or sleep more than an hr the entire night
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Sep 28, 2018
G W
Excellent! Comfortable, spacious seats. Tasty snacks and food. Would highly recommend!
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Dec 12, 2017
A M
The driver seem to be on a race, the bus was about to overturn countless times. I know this is Thailand but I ve been in other buses and they drove less recklessly. There were Tv screens, but nothing played... at least seats were comfortable and reclining worked.
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Nov 24, 2017
J A
Bus was 2 hours late
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Mar 6, 2017
J P
This trip (Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen) was supposed to be 10 hours. However it ended up being 12 hours. Unfortunately, I missed the 7 am bus from Khon Kaen to Phu Wiang- the town where I live. The next bus didn't come until about 8:30, so I was late for work. Overall, the ride was okay. The seats were SO uncomfortable.
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Feb 14, 2017
M L
Little late on arrival but on time on the first station(2 hours). Would have like a nice lunch break in themiddle of the trip.
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Apr 15, 2016
K B
An ok journey VIP service is just a sham...it was more like a bus filled with cargo in the bottom and every stop was intended on loading up more stuff which just delayed the bus by 3 hours Next time there should be recomendation to carry winter jackets for moving freeze box Anyway it is Thailand...smile and be happy
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Feb 5, 2016
D M
Good service but lacks a stop and toilets.
This review was autotranslated
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Apr 10, 2015
P C
Good trip, arrived khon kaen at 6 30,not 4 15am as stated on the ticket.
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Mar 10, 2015
B F
It was a very comfortable trip. The driving was good. It is very strange that on the 12go ticket it was written the arrival time in khon kean was 4h15 and we arrived at 6h30 peraps because the bus stop often, Sometimes the air conditionner sent air to cold.
Bus VIP 24, Esan Tour, Feb 18, 2015
อ ช
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Nov 17, 2023
M M
Bus Express, Esan Tour, May 25, 2023
S H
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Apr 16, 2023
S M
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Apr 12, 2023
P C
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jan 3, 2023
A A
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jan 2, 2023
ว โ
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Jun 25, 2022
N A
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Mar 19, 2022
J M
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Feb 21, 2018
F B
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Aug 7, 2016
D K
Bus Express, Esan Tour, Aug 2, 2015
3.4
32 customer reviews
5
16%
4
31%
3
31%
2
22%
1
0%
78.1% of 32 travelers were presumably happy with Esan Tour as they left good or no review