The wealthy city of Udon Thani in Northeast Thailand does not have many tourist attractions. However, it attracts many travelers due to its geographical location as it serves as a gateway to the neighboring country of Laos, north of Vietnam and southeast of China. The 560 kilometers (350 mi) route from Bangkok to Udon Thani is popular, and there are plenty of transportation options between the two cities.
Ways to travel from Bangkok to Udon Thani
Since there are no large bodies of water to cross, traveling from Bangkok to Udon Thani is quite straightforward. There are no boats to take and transportation options include flights, trains and buses, and even rental cars if you have the adventurous spirit and don’t mind driving on Thailand’s roads. If you are traveling by public transport, try to book your tickets in advance to secure your seats. Plus, buying ahead is usually cheaper than waiting until the last minute, especially for flights.
Flights from Bangkok to Udonthani
Almost all low-cost airlines fly from Don Mueang International Airport, a popular destination for domestic flights © 895_The_Studio / Shutterstock.com
Flying has the obvious advantage of shortening journeys. The plane is, you imagine, the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Udon Thani. The downside is usually the price. But since there are several airlines flying to Udon Thani from the capital, competition keeps prices reasonable. As we said before, it’s easier to find good deals if tickets are booked in advance. In general, early and late flights on the same day are cheaper than those scheduled at more convenient times.
There are four airlines to choose from. Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion operate this route from Don Mueang Airport, while Thai Smile flies from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Check the ticket prices of each company and look at the location of the airports to see which one is closest to you and make the best decision.
Almost all low-cost airlines fly from Don Mueang International Airport, popular for domestic flights © vajaraphol / Shutterstock.com
There are several flights a day, so it will not be difficult for you to find one that fits your plans. Ticket prices are not much different from the price of the train from Bangkok to Udon Thani, which may encourage you to choose a plane that covers the route in just one hour. Don’t forget that each airline may have different baggage restrictions, and while the plane is a fast option, it doesn’t allow you to enjoy the scenery from the window.
By train from Bangkok to Udon Thani
Hua Lamphong Station in central Bangkok is the city’s main train station © phantomm / Shutterstock.com
We’ve already made some comments about train travel, but if you’ve heard of trains in Thailand, you probably know that they can be terribly slow. Considering that for a similar price you can fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani, you might think that spending 10 to 11 hours on a train is not worth it, but it will all depend on your tastes and priorities. Trains have the advantage of being quite a comfortable means of transport, and also allow you to admire the landscape in peace, which is not possible from an airplane. Even so, most of the tour takes place at night, so you can’t look out the window for long either. In our opinion, if you decide to take the train from Bangkok to Udon Thani, it will be mainly for a different experience.
Thai Railways offers two night trains with departures at 18:50 and 20:05. Both have different ticket options. The cheapest are standard second class seats which include air conditioning, food service and restrooms. If you want to take advantage of an overnight trip, it is best to choose a compartment with a bed, either in second class, first class or in a female-only carriage.
Bus from Bangkok to Udonthani
Bangkok Mo Chit Bus Terminal, where almost all buses going from Bangkok to Udon Thani depart from. © Jes2u.photo / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by bus from Bangkok to Udon Thani can be tiring as the journey time between the two cities is around 10 hours. Budsarakham Tour has a VIP bus that runs at night and arrives before 7:00 AM. Although it is a long journey, it is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Udon Thani. Also, since it’s a VIP bus, the journey is made a bit more comfortable with air conditioning, host and catering services, bathrooms, and TV.
It is also possible to rent a car and get from Bangkok to Udon Thani on your own. The route is quite simple, but if you are planning to go through Songkran, do not forget that the traffic in this area is very dense and the journey may take longer than by bus.
As you can see, there are several transportation options from Bangkok to Udon Thani. For this route, you might want to consider air travel, even if you’re on a budget, as the fares are similar to the train. Flights are also usually more reliable than other modes of transport. It is known that buses and sometimes trains leave Bangkok with a delay of several hours. This means that you may have to wait several hours at the station and you may arrive at Udon Thani much later than planned. If you’re traveling at the right time and like to keep everything organized, a flight may be the best option.