Rayong Day Trip Under 1,500฿: Car Rental, Kayaking & Mangrove Adventure

One day while scrolling through TikTok, I came across a clip of someone kayaking at the Rayong Botanical Garden. The view of the Melaleuca forest totally hooked me! I had just tried kayaking for the first time in Vang Vieng and absolutely loved it, so watching that clip made me want to go again.

The next video showed Khao Laem Ya—and wow, I could already picture myself just sitting there doing nothing, watching the sunset. That was it. I told myself, next month I’m going to Rayong with my partner!

We live in Pattaya, and since we both recently got our driver’s licenses, we’ve been wanting to try a longer road trip. We’re actually planning to drive to Chiang Khan later this year, so this Rayong trip became our first “test drive.”

We rented a car from Budget—it was simple, affordable, and we got the SDW insurance, so we didn’t have to stress about minor scratches. (If you’re curious about the car rental details, I’ve written a separate section below — Car Rental Info⬇️)

Our 1-Day Rayong Trip Itinerary

If you’re not into detailed planning, feel free to borrow our simple itinerary and adjust it as needed. Just a heads-up—during holidays, you might need to allow more buffer time. We went on a Wednesday, so things were pretty smooth and on schedule.

• 09:30 AM – Left Pattaya
• 10:30 AM – Quick lunch in Rayong city
• 11:00–12:30 PM – Mangrove Learning Center + Phra Chedi Klang Nam
• 12:30–1:30 PM – Drive to Rayong Botanical Garden (~1 hour)
• 1:30–4:20 PM – Explore & kayak at Rayong Botanical Garden
• 4:20–5:10 PM – Drive to Khao Laem Ya (~50 minutes)
• 5:10–7:00 PM – Sunset at Khao Laem Ya

Map of Our Rayong Day Trip (Mangrove – Botanical Garden – Khao Laem Ya)
View route on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJEkUoezemm2E5obA

1. Mangrove Learning Center & Phra Chedi Klang Nam

We added this spot to our list pretty last minute. I had written about Rayong before and remembered bookmarking this mangrove trail, so when we had a bit of extra time, we thought—why not drop by?

If you enjoy walking, you’ll love it here. At first we were like, “Yeah, we got this, easy walk!” But in reality? We totally underestimated how long it would take—haha. If you want to explore the full trail, I’d say you’ll need at least 3 hours. Definitely bring a water bottle. There’s a small shop selling drinks near the parking lot too.

Phra Chedi Klang Nam (Phra Samut Chedi)

The chedi itself is located right next to the learning center. It stands about 10 meters tall, sitting peacefully at the mouth of the Rayong River, not far from Saeng Chan Beach—around 5 km away by road. When we visited, there was no entrance fee, and boat rides were available if you wanted to see more of the river.

Boat Ride Prices:

• Short trip boat: 300 THB / 6 people / 25 mins / Free for kids
• Long trip boat: 600 THB / 6 people / 45 mins / Free for kids

While the chedi itself wasn’t super impressive for us, the quiet atmosphere, cool breeze, and nature walk made the whole stop feel really special in the end.

Walking the Mangrove Forest in Rayong

We chose the riverside trail along the Rayong River since we didn’t have enough time for the longer loop. The wooden boardwalk stretches out under the hot sun, so be sure to prepare for the heat.

Our favorite spot was the area with lots of mangrove roots and some shady trees where we could rest. Walking and listening to the birds was really relaxing.

If you have more time, I’d recommend the full “Mangrove Nature Trail at Phra Chedi Klang Nam” for the full mangrove forest experience.

We spent about an hour walking, and honestly, we were almost exhausted by then! So we quickly headed back to get ready for kayaking at the Rayong Botanical Garden, which we were really excited about—haha!

Highlights of the Mangrove Learning Center & Phra Chedi Klang Nam:

• Wooden boardwalk in the mangrove forest — get up close with the mangrove roots and nature, hearing bird songs and rustling leaves, very calming.
• Peaceful atmosphere — clean, well-maintained paths, perfect for walking and photography lovers.
• White Phra Chedi Klang Nam — simple and serene, located in the middle of the Rayong River with nice photo spots to capture memories.
• Best time to visit: morning or late afternoon — to avoid the strong midday sun, when it gets really hot.
• For a full walk: allow 2–3 hours — we only did the riverside part and were already quite tired, haha!

Activities Available:

• Mangrove forest walking
• Visiting the river chedi
• River boat tours

Costs:

• Free entrance

Info & Location:

• Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tZmpYpaWN9iuetzb6
• Open daily 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM

2.Rayong Botanical Garden — Close to Nature

After the mangrove forest, we drove about 40 minutes to reach Rayong Botanical Garden. Honestly, it’s a paradise for nature lovers! Here you can kayak through natural waterways and a thousand-year-old mangrove forest, surrounded by the peaceful scent of big trees.

First things first, we fueled up—because as they say, an army marches on its stomach. Near the parking lot, there are plenty of local food stalls serving delicious dishes. If you’re hungry or think you might get hungry, better eat before heading out because the route takes quite some time.

We rented kayaks, one each, at 200 THB total (100 THB per hour per kayak). Since I’m more experienced and my partner is a beginner, I paddled and taught along the way. At first, it was a bit clumsy, but once we reached Rak Samed Bridge, things got smoother and more fun. The water is calm and easy to paddle, with many photo spots along the way.

Overall, it’s definitely a place worth visiting again. There’s also cycling around the island, which is interesting since kayaking doesn’t show you the middle part of the island.

Highlights of Rayong Botanical Garden:

• Pink-purple lotus fields in the middle of the water — the flowers bloom around late morning and are stunning.
• Passing under Rak Samed Bridge — a popular photo spot; you can stop your kayak for pictures.
• The thousand-year-old mangrove forest — very peaceful, feels like stepping into another world.

Activities at the Botanical Garden:

• Cycling around the island
• Kayaking through the mangrove forest
• Motorboat tours around the island
• Camping available

Tip: Best to come early around 9 AM or late afternoon around 2 PM — less harsh sun and beautiful lighting.

Approximate Fees:

• Entrance fee: 20 THB per person
• Kayak rental: 100 THB per hour per kayak (2 kayaks total 200 THB)
• Bicycle rental: 50 THB per round
• Motorboat rental: 600 THB per hour (up to 6 people)
• Camping fee: 50 THB per person
• Wedding costume rental: 500 THB per session

Info & Contacts:

• Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ygVGhDU2VK221tgC7
• Open daily 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tel: 03-8638-880
• Facebook: สวนพฤกษศาสตร์ระยอง

3.Khao Laem Ya – Sunset Spot

We drove about 50 minutes from Rayong Botanical Garden to Khao Laem Ya. Be careful entering because the road is narrow and on a curve. The park staff collects fees right at the entrance, so have cash ready: 30 THB for 4-wheeled vehicles and 40 THB per person.

After paying, they’ll tell you to drive another 300 meters to the parking lot. Once parked, staff will check and guide you to wait for a shuttle truck that takes visitors to the pier area at Khao Laem Ya.

From there, you walk along a wooden bridge toward the viewpoint. We saw lots of couples snapping photos — it’s a popular spot! The atmosphere is great with the cool sea breeze and a beautiful sunset slowly dipping below the horizon.

We enjoyed the view and took plenty of photos until most people left. We ended up being the last couple walking back in the fading light. The shuttle stopped running, so we had to walk back to the parking lot — funny but we weren’t the only ones; a few others walked with us.

Highlights at Khao Laem Ya:

• Watching the sunset by the sea — stunning views with a calm, cool breeze, perfect for relaxing and soaking in the moment.
• Wooden bridge over rocky shore — great for photos and romantic strolls by the sea.
• Tons of photo spots — many couples come here to capture the beautiful light.
• Quiet resting areas — if you don’t want to walk far, there are several spots to sit and enjoy the view.

 Entrance Fees:

• 4-wheeled vehicle: 30 THB
• Adults: 40 THB per person

Info & Contacts:

• Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9aFMAQgPbtbjmnEZ8
• Open daily: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tel: 038-653-034
• Facebook: อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาแหลมหญ้า – หมู่เกาะเสม็ด

Estimated Expenses for a One-Day Rayong Trip (For 2 People)

Item	Price (THB)
Car rental (1 day) with full insurance	1,350
Fuel	500
Lunch + coffee	400
Kayak rental (2 kayaks, 2 hours)	400
Botanical Garden maintenance fee (40 THB/person)	80
Drinking water (2 bottles)	20
Khao Laem Ya entrance fee (40 THB/person)	80
Vehicle entrance fee at Khao Laem Ya	30
Total	2,860 THB

Note for international travelers: Prices may vary and are subject to change. Please double-check current rates before your trip.

If you already have your own car or split the rental with friends, you can save a lot!

The actual spending on activities and food for 2 people is roughly 1,000 THB total, or about 500 THB per person.

How to Rent a Car with Budget

If you don’t have your own vehicle, renting a car from Budget is easy! You can book online in advance and either pick up the car at a branch or have it delivered to your hotel or accommodation (within their service area). The great thing is you can also arrange to return the car at your hotel or accommodation, as long as it’s within the service area of the branch. If you are outside their service zone, just contact the branch for delivery and pick-up fees.

Required documents:

• National ID card
• Driver’s license
• Credit card (Visa or MasterCard)

Insurance recommendation: We highly recommend purchasing Comprehensive Insurance (SDW) for better coverage. This protects you from large credit card holds in case of accidents and reduces your out-of-pocket expenses—even if there’s no other party involved.

Basic insurance is usually included with the rental, but it offers limited coverage and often requires a credit card hold as a security deposit in case of damages.

Example: If you rent a car without Comprehensive Insurance and accidentally scrape the car on a curb, you’ll have to pay the repair costs in full—say 5,000 THB—and the staff will block that amount on your credit card depending on the car type. However, if you purchase the SDW insurance, you won’t have to worry about the blocked amount or paying for the repair.

Note: SDW insurance must be purchased during booking. Always check the insurance details carefully before completing payment.For a full guide, tips on booking at the best price, and detailed recommendations, check out: Renting a Budget Car Easily with Comprehensive Insurance — The Best Choice for Travelers