Udon Thani

Getting Here & Around

By Air

Udon Thani International Airport, the largest major airport in the region, has several daily arrivals from Bangkok. The major carrier is Thai Airways, but a number of budget airlines, such as Air Asia and Nok Air, also service these routes.

By Bus

From Bangkok, buses to Udon (9 hours) depart throughout the day and early evening (B370-B480, depending on class). Udon Thani is usually the starting point for the region and has regular buses to Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Loei, and Korat.

Nong Khai buses depart from the Nong Khai Bus Terminal, at the northern end of Udon Dutsadi Road (songthaew No. 6); buses to Loei and Chiang Mai use a station on the Ring Road (west end of Srisuk Road, songthaew No. 7); all other buses leave from the main terminal on Sai Uthit Road.

By Car

Roads are generally in good condition around Udon Thani. The fast, four-lane Highway 2 links Udon with Bangkok, making travel from Khon Kaen and Nong Khai also easy. Highway 22 through Sakhon Nakhon also provides links to the Mekong River towns. Loei's spacious 210 road offers easy access to and from Udon, with the optional 211 road being smaller but more scenic as it follows the Mekong River route, swinging through Chiang Khan to Nong Khai. The 212 road follows the Mekong, connecting Nong Khai to Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan.

Avis, Budget, and Mall Thai (042/346673), all of which have branches at the Udon Thani Airport, are reliable rental agencies.

By Samlor & Songthaew

Songthaew drivers in Udon are relentless sharks—they frequently hound visitors for business and overcharge. You can find one anywhere anytime, but be prepared to bargain hard. You can get to the airport for B80 to B100, and anywhere else for B60 to B80. Coming from the airport, minivans go to all hotels for B80.

By Train

Trains run four times daily from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong train station to Udon Thani (12 hours; around B465 to B1,200 depending on class), departing at 8:20 am, 6:30 pm, 6:40 pm, and 8:45 pm. Due to the distance, a sleeper train from Bangkok may be preferable to the bus. Udon's train station is on Prajak Road, about 1 km (½ mi) east of the town center.