How to Get from Loei to Udon Thani Airport

Key fact: Loei province has no railway station. The nearest train station is Udon Thani Railway Station, located about 5 km from the airport. To use the train, you would first need to get from Loei to Udon Thani by bus or taxi — which makes the train option impractical for most travelers.

Here is a quick breakdown of why the train is not a viable choice for this route:

• No direct service: You cannot board a train anywhere in Loei. You must first travel 150 km to Udon Thani by road.
• Total time: Bus Loei→Udon Thani (2.5–3 hr) + taxi to station + wait for train + train journey (if you even go anywhere) — easily 4+ hours.
• Cost: Bus (100–150 THB) + taxi to station (50–100 THB) + train ticket — no savings compared to a direct bus+taxi to the airport.
• Frequency: Trains from Udon Thani run south toward Bangkok or north toward Nong Khai, not to the airport directly.

Verdict: Skip the train. Use a direct bus+taxi or a private taxi instead. For more on Thailand's rail network, visit the State Railway of Thailand.

Key fact: Loei Airport (LOE) operates only one route: to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK), flown by Nok Air and AirAsia. There are no direct flights from Loei to Udon Thani (UBT).

Here is why flying is not recommended for this journey:

• No direct route: You would have to fly Loei → Bangkok (DMK) → Udon Thani (UBT). That is at least 2 flights and a long layover.
• Total time: Loei→Bangkok (1 hr flight) + layover (2–4 hr) + Bangkok→Udon Thani (1 hr flight) + airport transfers — easily 5–7 hours.
• Total cost: Two separate tickets often exceed 4,000–6,000 THB (120–180 USD), far more than a taxi.
• Carbon footprint: Flying via Bangkok emits significantly more CO₂ than a direct road trip.

Verdict: Flying is not practical. A taxi from Loei to Udon Thani Airport is faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. For current flight schedules from Loei, check Nok Air.

Taking a public bus from Loei to Udon Thani, followed by a short taxi to the airport, is the most budget-friendly option. Here is everything you need to know.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Loei Bus Terminal – Buy a ticket at the counter for Udon Thani Bus Terminal. Buses run from 05:30 to 16:30 approximately every 30–60 minutes.
2. Journey – The bus takes 2.5–3 hours along Route 210 and Route 2. Air-conditioned buses cost 100–150 THB (3–4 USD); fan buses are slightly cheaper.
3. Arrive at Udon Thani Bus Terminal – This is on the outskirts of the city, about 6 km from the airport.
4. Taxi to Airport – From the bus terminal, take a local taxi (100–150 THB, 15 min) or a tuk-tuk (80–120 THB).

Total cost: 200–300 THB (6–9 USD)  |  Total time: 3–3.5 hours

Bus Schedule (Typical)

Departure (Loei)	Arrival (Udon Thani)	Type	Fare
05:30	08:00	Air-con	120 THB
07:00	09:30	Air-con	120 THB
09:00	11:30	Air-con	120 THB
11:00	13:30	Air-con	120 THB
13:00	15:30	Air-con	120 THB
15:00	17:30	Air-con	120 THB
16:30	19:00	Air-con	120 THB

Source: Transport Co., Ltd. – schedules may change; confirm at terminal.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Very cheap, frequent departures, no advance booking needed.
• Cons: Requires one transfer, no direct airport drop-off, luggage space limited on busy buses.

A private taxi from Loei to Udon Thani Airport is the fastest and most convenient option. It is ideal for families, business travelers, or anyone with heavy luggage.

What to Expect

• Journey time: 1.5–2 hours (150 km via Route 210 and Highway 2).
• Cost: 1,200–2,000 THB (≈35–60 USD), depending on the vehicle type and company.
• Door-to-door: Picks you up at your hotel or any address in Loei, drops you at the UBT departures gate.

Where to Book

• Local taxi companies: Many operate in Loei. Ask at your hotel or search for "Loei taxi service".
• Ride-hailing apps: Grab and Bolt operate in Loei but availability can be limited. Check the app in advance.
• Pre-book online: Platforms like 12Go offer private transfers with fixed pricing.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Fastest option, no transfers, luggage-friendly, available 24/7, comfortable with air-con.
• Cons: Most expensive option; price can vary; some drivers may charge extra for late-night or early-morning pickups.

Tip: Confirm the total price before the ride (including any tolls or airport surcharges). A typical sedan for 1–2 passengers costs around 1,200–1,500 THB; a larger minivan for 4–6 passengers costs 1,500–2,000 THB.

A shared minivan offers a good middle ground between cost and convenience. It is faster than a public bus and cheaper than a private taxi.

How It Works

• Departure point: Loei Bus Terminal or local tour operator offices.
• Destination: Usually drops at Udon Thani Bus Terminal, some may drop near the airport — confirm when booking.
• Journey time: 2–2.5 hours (slightly faster than a bus because of fewer stops).
• Cost: 300–500 THB (9–15 USD) per person.

Booking Tips

• Book in advance — especially during Thai holidays (Songkran, Loy Krathong, New Year).
• Ask your hotel in Loei to help arrange pickup. Many can call a minivan service directly.
• If the minivan drops you at Udon Thani Bus Terminal, take a local taxi to the airport (100–150 THB extra).

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Faster than bus, cheaper than taxi, more comfortable than bus, air-conditioned.
• Cons: Less frequent than buses, may require advance booking, luggage space limited, drop-off may not be directly at airport.

If you enjoy driving, renting a car in Loei and dropping it at Udon Thani Airport gives you maximum flexibility. This is a great option if you plan to explore the region.

What to Know

• Distance: 150 km via Route 210 → Highway 2 (Mittraphap). Drive time: 1.5–2 hours.
• Rental cost: ~800–1,500 THB per day (24–45 USD) for a compact car, plus fuel (~400–600 THB).
• Drop-off: Major rental companies have counters at Udon Thani Airport — Hertz, Budget, and local Thai firms.
• Documents: You need a valid international driving permit (IDP) and your home country license.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Total freedom to stop anywhere, flexible schedule, can carry lots of luggage.
• Cons: Need to return the car at the airport (time for check-in), fuel costs, toll fees (minimal on this route), right-hand traffic.

Tip: Book online in advance for the best rates. Rentalcars.com compares multiple providers.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of all the ways to get from Loei to Udon Thani Airport. Use it to choose the best option for your budget and schedule.

Mode	Time	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)	Transfers	Best For
Private Taxi	1.5–2 hr	1,200–2,000	35–60	0 (door-to-door)	Speed & convenience
Shared Minivan + Taxi	2–2.5 hr	400–650	12–19	1 (at Udon Thani terminal)	Value balance
Public Bus + Taxi	3–3.5 hr	200–300	6–9	1 (bus→taxi)	Budget travel
Rental Car	1.5–2 hr	1,200–2,100	35–63	0 (self-drive)	Flexibility & exploration
Train	4+ hr	300+	9+	2+	Not recommended
Flight (via BKK)	5–7 hr	4,000–6,000	120–180	2+ layovers	Not practical

Best overall: Private Taxi  |  Cheapest: Bus+Taxi  |  Best value: Shared Minivan

Here are practical tips from frequent travelers on this route to make your journey smoother.

• Book your taxi in advance — especially if you have an early morning flight. Drivers in Loei may not be readily available after 21:00. Ask your hotel to arrange a trusted driver.
• Luggage on the bus: The public bus from Loei to Udon Thani has underfloor luggage storage, but space is limited. If you have large suitcases, consider a minivan or taxi.
• Bus departure times: The last air-con bus from Loei to Udon Thani usually departs around 16:30. If you travel later, you may need to take a taxi or minivan.
• Traffic conditions: Route 210 and Highway 2 are generally in good condition. The drive is straightforward, but watch for slow-moving farm vehicles near Loei.
• Food & water: The bus journey has no meal stop, so bring snacks and water. The taxi can stop at roadside restaurants upon request.
• Phone signal: Coverage is good along the entire route. Both AIS and TrueMove have strong signals.
• Airport arrival time: For domestic flights at UBT, arrive 1 hour before departure. For international flights, arrive 2 hours before. Factor this into your departure time from Loei.
• Weather: During the rainy season (June–October), roads can be slippery. Allow an extra 20–30 minutes for safety.