Roi EtRoi Et at a Glance
Costs: Budget travel: $20-40 per day - very cheap daily costs; street food and budget guesthouses dominate.
Safety: Generally safe, petty-theft risk - quiet city with low violent crime; watch belongings in crowded markets.
Best Time: November-February - cool, dry season with comfortable temps and festival activity.
Why Visit Roi Et?
Northern Isan’s mix of lowland charm and regional culture makes Roi Et a quiet yet intriguing stop for travelers seeking everyday Thai life. Expect lively night markets, sticky rice and spicy larb that define Isan cuisine, and the city’s landmark 101-meter observation tower beside the central lake. Local festivals, including the rocket-firing Bun Bang Fai season, highlight rural traditions and community spirit. Visit for an unhurried look at provincial Thailand and accessible day trips into surrounding rice terraces.
Roi Et Bucket List
Don't Miss
Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol - Large hilltop chedi with panoramic city views and a distinctive golden spire.
Bueng Phalan Chai - Central lake and park offering walking paths, evening lights, and local vendors.
Roi Et National Museum - Small regional museum presenting Isaan artifacts and Roi Et provincial history exhibits.
Hidden Gems
Roi Et Night Market - Evening market near Bueng Phalan Chai serving street food and crafted souvenirs.
Wat Burapha Phiram - Quiet temple complex featuring intricate murals, shaded courtyards, and contemplative corners.
Local silk-weaving workshops - Family-run workshops where you can observe and buy handwoven Isaan silk textiles.
Day Trips
Phu Phan National Park - Forested hills and waterfalls with viewpoints and short hikes about one hour away.
Sakon Nakhon temples circuit - Half-day drive visits to historic temples and hilltop shrines north of Roi Et.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Roi Et
Visit Roi Et in the cool, dry months (November-February) for comfortable temperatures and festival time. Avoid the intense pre-monsoon heat (March-May) and the heavy rains from May to October.
Cool Season
Mornings are pleasantly cool, afternoons warm - perfect for temple visits, festivals, and countryside rides without oppressive heat or daily downpours.
Hot Season
Blistering afternoons and strong sun; great for early mornings but tiring midday - bring light clothes, sunscreen, and expect dusty roads.
Rainy Season
Frequent heavy rains cool the heat but make rural roads muddy; lush landscapes and fewer tourists, though some outdoor plans may be disrupted.
Roi Et's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 17°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1327 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 1.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
| February | Ideal | 19° - 33° | 26° | 20 mm | mostly sunny | 51% | 1.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 35° | 30° | 30 mm | some cloud | 51% | 1.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 24° - 36° | 33° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 25° - 34° | 34° | 179 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 35° | 208 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.0h |
| July | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 34° | 193 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.9h |
| August | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 34° | 256 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 238 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 30° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 1.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Ideal | 20° - 31° | 25° | 16 mm | mostly sunny | 78% | 1.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 17° - 29° | 23° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 1.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.0h |
How to Get to Roi Et
Roi Et is served by a small domestic airport (Roi Et Airport, ROI) and by an intercity bus terminal; there is no direct passenger rail service into the city. Most visitors arrive by regional flight or by bus/minivan from larger northeastern cities such as Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani or Bangkok.
Roi Et Airport (ROI): The small domestic Roi Et Airport handles regional flights to and from Bangkok and other provincial hubs. From the airport to Roi Et town centre you can take a shared minivan or airport shuttle (roughly 50-120 THB, about 25-40 minutes depending on traffic) or a private taxi (around 300-400 THB, 25-35 minutes).
Train: Roi Et has no active intercity railway station. The nearest mainline railheads are in Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani; if you want to travel by rail you typically take a bus or minivan from Roi Et to one of those cities and join the national rail network there.
Bus / Minivan: Roi Et Bus Terminal is the local hub for intercity coaches and minivan services. Regular buses and VIP coaches run to Bangkok (6-7 hours; fares commonly ~300-600 THB depending on class) and to regional centres such as Khon Kaen or Ubon Ratchathani (1-2 hours by minivan or bus; fares commonly ~80-250 THB). Local songthaews and tuk‑tuks connect the terminal with neighbourhoods.
How to Get Around Roi Et
Roi Et is best navigated using local songthaews, tuk‑tuks and short taxi rides for convenience; intercity travel relies on buses or minivans. For comfort and speed to/from airports use a taxi or arranged shuttle.
- Local buses & songthaews (10-50 THB) - Local songthaews (shared pickup-style trucks) and town buses handle short trips inside Roi Et and to nearby villages. They are cheap and frequent but can be slow and informal (pay cash on board). Ask your hotel for the right vehicle and fare for your route.
- Tuk‑tuk / Motorcycle taxi (20-100 THB) - Tuk‑tuks and motorcycle taxis are widely available for short hops around town and are the fastest way to get through narrow streets. Negotiate fares in advance or insist the driver use the metre if available; for short trips expect 20-100 THB.
- Taxi (300-600 THB) - Metered taxis and private car hires are available but less common than in big Thai cities; airport taxis from ROI to the centre are common. Use hotel-arranged taxis for reliability and fixed prices for longer journeys.
- Intercity coach / Minivan (80-600 THB) - Coaches and white minivans link Roi Et with Bangkok and regional cities. Minivans are faster but less comfortable for long trips; VIP buses to Bangkok offer reclining seats and occasional onboard toilets. Book at the bus terminal or via local agents.
- Private car / Rental (1200+ THB/day) - Self-drive is an option if you’re comfortable with Thai provincial roads; rental cars are easiest to pick up in larger cities (Khon Kaen or Ubon). Parking in town is generally straightforward.
- Walking - Roi Et’s central area is compact and easy to explore on foot - most sights, markets and restaurants are walkable from the central plaza.
Where to Stay in Roi Et
Budget
City centre / Near bus terminal - $10-30/night
Roi Et has mainly small guesthouses and budget hotels; options are limited and basic. Consider brief stays or bases while exploring the province.
Multiple guesthouses (see listing) - Small, basic guesthouses listed on Booking.com
Hostel/guesthouse listings on Agoda - Budget rooms and homestays available
Mid-Range
Near Central Market - $25-60/night
A few mid-range provincial hotels offer cleaner rooms with A/C and breakfast. Choices are limited compared with bigger cities; book ahead.
Local mid-range hotels (see listings) - Comfortable provincial hotels via Booking.com
Agoda listings for mid-range stays - Boutique-style provincial properties listed
Luxury
No central luxury quarter - $60+/night (nearby cities)
Roi Et lacks true luxury hotels; travellers seeking upscale amenities should stay in Khon Kaen or Ubon and day-trip in.
Limited high-end options (nearby cities) - No major resorts in town; see nearby cities
Upscale options via booking platforms - For true luxury, consider Khon Kaen or Ubon Ratchathani
Where to Eat in Roi Et
Isaan & Local Dishes
Roi Et’s food scene centers on Isaan flavors: fiery som tam, sticky rice, grilled meats and humble noodle shops frequented by locals at markets and street stalls.
- Local roadside khaosoi and som tam stalls - Spicy northeastern salads and grilled meats
- Neighborhood som tam vendors - Papaya salad variations, salty and sour
- Roi Et noodle shops - Simple broths, pork and beef options
Night Markets & Street Food
Evening markets and the Central Plaza food court are where visitors find grilled meats, sticky rice, grilled fish and quick Isaan snacks enjoyed by locals.
- Roi Et Night Market (Talat Nalika) - Evening food stalls and cheap eats
- Central Plaza Roi Et food court - Wide selection, family-friendly options
- Local fresh markets - Fresh produce, grilled street snacks
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Roi Et’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Roi Et
Evening life in Roi Et is low‑key: a nightly market near the centre plus a handful of local bars and karaoke spots. Expect casual outdoor food stalls and family‑oriented venues rather than nightclub scenes.
Shopping in Roi Et
Shopping is a mix of a modern mall for chains and everyday needs and small street markets selling produce, snacks and modest local crafts. If you’re after handicrafts or specialty items options are limited; the night market is a good place to browse.