How to Get from Ubon Ratchathani Hotels to Ubon Ratchathani Airport

For most travelers, a metered taxi or a private car arranged by your hotel offers the best balance of speed, comfort, and reliability. Ubon Ratchathani is a compact city — the airport (UBP) is only 5–6 km from the city center — so the ride is short and inexpensive.

Metered Taxi: What to Expect

• Fare: 150–200 THB (≈4–6 USD) from central hotels. If you book via the hotel, the price may be fixed at 200–250 THB.
• Time: 10–15 minutes door to door.
• Availability: 24/7. Taxis line up at major hotels or can be called via Grab (available in Ubon).
• Luggage: Plenty of trunk space for suitcases, backpacks, and carry-ons.

Private Hotel Transfer

Most mid-range and luxury hotels in Ubon (e.g. Ubon Buri Resort & Spa, Tohsang Khongjiam Resort, Laithong Hotel) offer a paid airport transfer service. Prices range from 200–400 THB (≈6–12 USD) depending on the vehicle type (sedan vs. minivan). Pros: pre-arranged, no haggling, driver waits for you. Cons: slightly more expensive than a street-hailed taxi.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Grab operates in Ubon Ratchathani. A ride from the city center to the airport typically costs 160–220 THB (≈5–7 USD). The app shows the fixed price before booking — no negotiation needed. Tip: schedule your Grab the night before for early morning flights.

Data point: According to Grab Thailand (2025 fare estimates), a 5 km ride in Ubon averages 170 THB. Always confirm the meter is turned on if hailing a street taxi.

Taxi & Private Transfer Options

Mode	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)	Time	Best For
Street Metered Taxi	150–200	4–6	10–15 min	Solo & couples, day or night
Hotel Private Car	200–400	6–12	10–15 min	Families, business travelers
Grab Ride	160–220	5–7	10–15 min	Tech-savvy, fixed price

Verdict: If you value speed, luggage space, and certainty, taxi or private transfer is the #1 choice. Book via your hotel for zero stress.

For travelers on a tight budget or those wanting a local Thai experience, tuk-tuks and songthaews (converted pickup trucks with benches) are widely available in Ubon Ratchathani.

Tuk-Tuk

• Fare: 80–120 THB (≈2.5–3.5 USD) from central hotels to the airport. Negotiate before getting in.
• Time: 15–20 minutes (slightly slower than a taxi due to lower speed).
• Availability: Common near markets, hotels, and the bus station. Less frequent after 10 PM but still possible.
• Luggage: Limited space — a small backpack or one medium suitcase is okay; large suitcases may not fit.

Songthaew (Shared Pick-Up Truck)

• Fare: 30–50 THB (≈1–1.5 USD) per person. The cheapest option.
• Time: 20–30 minutes (route-dependent, may pick up/drop off other passengers).
• Routes: Songthaews run along main roads (e.g. Phra Chao Sua Road, Chayangkun Road). You may need to walk a few blocks to a main route — not all hotels are on the line.
• Luggage: Shared space — okay for a daypack, but difficult with large suitcases.

Local tip: Songthaews in Ubon are typically blue or white. Flag one down by waving, tell the driver “s̄nām binh” (airport), and confirm the fare before hopping in. Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (local transport guide).

Which One Should You Choose?

If you're traveling solo with little luggage and want to save money, a songthaew is unbeatable. For a couple or small group with moderate bags, a tuk-tuk offers a good middle ground. Both are cash-only — no card payments.

Budget Transport: Tuk-Tuk vs Songthaew

Feature	Tuk-Tuk	Songthaew
Cost (per person)	80–120 THB	30–50 THB
Privacy	Private (just your group)	Shared with others
Luggage capacity	Medium	Low
Best time to use	Daytime & early evening	Daytime only

Some hotels in Ubon Ratchathani offer a free or paid shuttle to the airport. This is especially common among business-oriented hotels and resorts located a bit outside the city center.

Which Hotels Provide Shuttles?

• Ubon Buri Resort & Spa — complimentary shuttle to UBP (advance booking required).
• Tohsang Khongjiam Resort — paid transfer 250 THB (≈7.5 USD).
• Laithong Hotel — free tuk-tuk ride to the airport for guests (subject to availability).
• Khemmanitta Boutique Hotel — airport drop-off 150 THB (≈4.5 USD).

Action item: When booking your hotel, send a message via the booking platform or email the front desk directly to ask about airport transfer. Many properties include this in their "guest services" page.

Pros & Cons of Hotel Shuttles

• Pros: Convenient, no haggling, driver knows the hotel, often cheaper than a street taxi for solo travelers.
• Cons: Fixed schedule (may not match your flight time), limited availability for boutique hostels.

Data point: According to Booking.com guest reviews, over 60% of Ubon hotels with a rating of 8+ offer some form of airport transfer. Always confirm 24 hours before departure.

If you plan to explore the Ubon Ratchathani region (e.g. the famous Sao Chaliang rock formations, Pha Taem National Park, or the Mekong River border), renting a car gives you complete freedom. You can drive yourself to the airport and drop the car off at the rental office near the terminal.

Rental Options in Ubon

• Budget / Avis / Hertz — desks at Ubon Airport (UBP) arrivals hall. Compact car from 800–1,200 THB/day (≈24–36 USD).
• Local agencies (e.g. Ubon Car Rent, Thai Rent a Car) — from 600 THB/day (≈18 USD) for a Toyota Vios or similar.
• Fuel: A full-to-full policy is standard. The airport is only 5–6 km from town, so fuel cost is negligible.

Driving to the Airport

UBP is located on Phra Chao Sua Road (Route 2050), just west of the city center. The route is straightforward, well-signed, and traffic is light except during rush hour (7–8 AM and 4–6 PM). Parking at the airport: short-term lot 20 THB/hour (≈0.6 USD), long-term 100 THB/day (≈3 USD).

Important: If you have an early flight, make sure the rental company offers after-hours drop-off — most desks open at 6 AM. Otherwise, return the car the evening before. Source: Airports of Thailand (UBP parking & rental info).

Car Rental Cost Estimate (1 day)

Rental Company	Car Type	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)
Budget	Toyota Yaris	950	28
Local agency	Honda City	650	19
Avis	SUV (CR-V)	1,500	44

Ubon Ratchathani has a major railway station (Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station) located about 5 km from the airport. While there is no direct train to the airport, many travelers from Bangkok or other provinces arrive by train and then need a connecting ride to UBP.

Train Services to Ubon

• Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) → Ubon: 3 daily trains (including the overnight Express #71 and Rapid #145). Journey time: 8–12 hours. Fare: 250–1,200 THB (≈7–35 USD) depending on class.
• From Ubon station to the airport: tuk-tuk (60–80 THB, 10 min) or taxi (100–150 THB, 8 min).

Step-by-Step: Train Arrival → Airport

1. Alight at Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station (on Saphasit Road).
2. Walk out to the main road — tuk-tuks and taxis line up outside the station.
3. Negotiate a fare to Ubon Airport (UBP) — do not pay more than 150 THB.
4. The ride takes 8–12 minutes. The airport terminal is small and easy to navigate.

Why not recommend this as a primary option? If you're already staying at a hotel in Ubon, you don't need to go to the railway station. This section is helpful for travelers arriving by train from another city who need to catch a connecting flight. Source: State Railway of Thailand (train schedules & fares).

Train + Tuk-Tuk vs Direct Taxi from Hotel

Scenario	Total Time	Total Cost (THB)	Convenience
Direct taxi from hotel	10–15 min	150–200	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Train from Bangkok → tuk-tuk to airport	8–12 hrs + 10 min	310–1,350	⭐⭐ (long train)

Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP) is a domestic terminal serving flights to Bangkok (Don Mueang & Suvarnabhumi) and seasonally to Chiang Mai. If you're flying out, here's what you need to know about getting from your hotel to the check-in counter.

Airlines & Destinations

• Thai AirAsia — to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK). 4–5 flights daily. From 990 THB (≈29 USD) one-way.
• Nok Air — to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) + seasonal Chiang Mai (CNX). From 1,090 THB (≈32 USD).
• Thai Lion Air — to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK). 2–3 flights daily. From 890 THB (≈26 USD).

Airport Check-In & Security Timing

UBP is a small airport — check-in counters open 2 hours before departure and close 30 minutes prior. Security is quick (usually under 10 minutes). Total recommended time from hotel to gate: 45 minutes (including 15 min drive + 15 min buffer).

Case study: A traveler staying at Laithong Hotel (city center) with a 7:00 AM AirAsia flight to DMK. Leaving the hotel at 5:45 AM by taxi (180 THB), arriving at UBP by 6:00 AM, checked in and through security by 6:20 AM — plenty of time for the 7:00 AM boarding. Source: AirAsia & Nok Air flight schedules.

Sample Flight Schedule (Ubon → Bangkok)

Airline	First Flight	Last Flight	Typical Fare (THB)
Thai AirAsia	6:30 AM	8:10 PM	990–1,500
Nok Air	7:10 AM	6:30 PM	1,090–1,800
Thai Lion Air	8:25 AM	5:45 PM	890–1,400

Use this table to quickly compare every option from your Ubon hotel to the airport. Best Value and Most Convenient are highlighted.

Ubon Hotel → Airport (UBP): Full Comparison

Mode	Time (min)	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)	Luggage	24/7?	Best For
🏆 Metered Taxi	10–15	150–200	4–6	✅ Large	✅ Yes	Everyone (best overall)
Private Hotel Car	10–15	200–400	6–12	✅ Large	✅ Yes	Families, executives
Grab Ride	10–15	160–220	5–7	✅ Large	✅ Yes	Tech users, fixed price
Tuk-Tuk	15–20	80–120	2.5–3.5	⚠️ Medium	⚠️ Until ~10 PM	Solo, couples, budget
💰 Songthaew (cheapest)	20–30	30–50	1–1.5	❌ Small	❌ Day only	Backpackers, lowest cost
Hotel Shuttle	10–20	0–300	0–9	✅ Large	⚠️ Schedule	Guests of offering hotels
Car Rental (self-drive)	10–15	600–1,500/day	18–44/day	✅ Large	✅ Yes	Explorers, groups

Verdict: For a single trip from your hotel to UBP, a metered taxi or Grab offers the best value. If you're on a shoestring, take a songthaew during the day. For peace of mind, book a hotel transfer.

After years of travel through Ubon Ratchathani, here are insider tips that go beyond the basic transport info.

1. Morning Flight? Book Your Ride the Night Before

Ubon's first flights depart around 6:30 AM. While taxis are available 24/7, it's safer to ask your hotel to book a taxi for 5:00–5:30 AM. Hotels have reliable drivers who know the airport drop-off point. Pro tip: Set your Grab booking scheduled ride before bed.

2. Luggage — Use the "Takkyubin" Style Service?

Thailand has a luggage delivery service called ezy2move or Flash Express (similar to Japan's Takkyubin). If you're traveling onward from Ubon and don't want to carry bags to the airport, you can send luggage ahead to your next hotel in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Cost: 200–400 THB per suitcase. Not essential for Ubon's short drive, but useful for multi-city trips. Source: Flash Express.

3. Ubon Airport is Tiny — Don't Arrive Too Early

UBP has one small terminal with a 7-Eleven, a coffee shop, and basic seating. There's no fancy lounge, no VIP area, and limited dining. Arriving 1 hour before your flight is enough — the entire check-in-to-gate process takes 15–20 minutes max. If you arrive 2 hours early, you'll be bored.

4. Rainy Season (May–October) — Allow Extra 10 Minutes

During the monsoon, streets in Ubon can flood quickly, especially near the airport approach road. A 10-minute taxi ride may become 25 minutes. Safety buffer: leave 30 minutes earlier than usual. Check the Thai Meteorological Department before heading out.

5. Negotiate Tuk-Tuk Fares Before Boarding

Always confirm the price before you get into a tuk-tuk. Drivers may quote 150 THB initially — counter with 80–100 THB. If they refuse, wait for the next one. There are plenty. For songthaews, the fare is fixed and very cheap, so no haggling needed.

6. Google Maps Works Well for Driving

If you rent a car, use Google Maps — it has accurate routes and real-time traffic in Ubon. The airport is marked as "Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP)". Parking is well-signposted.

Local insight from a frequent traveler: "I've taken the tuk-tuk from Ubon Bus Station to the airport for 60 THB. It's bumpy but fast. For a family with kids, just pay 200 THB for a taxi — the peace of mind is worth it." — Sarah L., travel blogger at ThailandTravelGuide.com.