How to Get from Udon Thani Railway Station to Udon Thani Airport

Udon Thani Railway Station (สถานีรถไฟอุดรธานี) is located on the northeastern railway line, about 3.5 km northeast of Udon Thani Airport. The station is a major stop for trains from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) to Nong Khai and the Lao border. While the station itself does not have a direct rail connection to the airport, it serves as the ideal starting point for several ground transport options.

Station Facilities

• Ticket counters open daily 05:00–20:00 (advance tickets available for sleeper trains).
• Waiting area with fans and basic seating – no air-conditioned lounge.
• Food stalls & convenience stores outside the main entrance for snacks and drinks.
• ATMs from Krungthai and Bangkok Bank (accept international cards).
• Baggage no formal left-luggage service, but nearby shops may hold bags for a small fee (20–50 THB).

Getting from the Station to the Airport – Quick Options

Summary of transport modes from Udon Thani Station to Airport

Mode	Time	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)	Best for
Taxi / Grab	10–15 min	100–150	≈3–4	Speed & comfort
Tuk-tuk	12–18 min	80–120	≈2–3	Short trips, 1–2 people
Songthaew (shared)	20–35 min	20–50	≈0.60–1.50	Budget travelers
Walking	40–50 min	0	0	No luggage, fit travelers

💡 Tip: If you arrive at the station by train from Bangkok (e.g., the overnight sleeper), you can easily walk to the taxi queue outside the main gate. The station is small and well-signed in Thai and English.

Source: State Railway of Thailand (SRT) – station directory and train schedules.

Udon Thani Airport (ท่าอากาศยานอุดรธานี) is a regional airport with daily flights to Bangkok (DMK & BKK), Phuket, Chiang Mai, and international charters to Vientiane (Laos) and Hanoi (Vietnam). The airport has a single terminal with modern facilities.

From the Airport to the City (reverse direction)

If you're flying into Udon Thani and need to reach the railway station or city center, the same transport options apply in reverse. Taxis from the airport rank cost 120–150 THB (≈3–4 USD) to the station. The airport is also served by songthaews running along the Ring Road.

Flight vs. Train – Total Travel Time Comparison

Comparing door-to-door travel from Udon Thani Station to key destinations

Route	Mode	Total Time (incl. access)	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)
Station → Airport (local)	Taxi	10–15 min	100–150	≈3–4
Station → Bangkok (by train)	SRT sleeper	8–9 h	800–1,400	≈23–40
Station → Bangkok (fly)	Taxi + flight	3–4 h (incl. airport access)	1,500–3,500	≈43–100
Station → Phuket (fly)	Taxi + flight	4–5 h	2,500–5,000	≈71–143

💡 Tip: For domestic flights, arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before departure. The airport is small, but security checks can be slow during peak hours (06:00–08:00 and 17:00–19:00).

Source: Udon Thani Airport Official Site – flight schedules and terminal map.

Songthaews (สองแถว, literally "two rows") are shared pickup trucks with bench seating in the back. They are the most affordable motorized option for getting from Udon Thani Railway Station to the airport. Unlike taxis, songthaews follow fixed routes but will deviate slightly if requested.

Songthaew Route & Fare Details

• Route: From the station, walk to the main road (Nittayo Road) and flag down a songthaew heading south toward the airport area. Most will pass near the airport entrance on Ring Road (Highway 216).
• Fare: 20–50 THB (≈0.60–1.50 USD) per person, depending on distance and whether you ask for a private ride.
• Frequency: Every 10–20 minutes during daylight (06:00–18:00). After 18:00, frequency drops significantly.
• Drop-off: Songthaews stop at the airport road entrance; you may need to walk 200–300 meters to the terminal. Drivers rarely enter the airport drop-off lane unless you pay extra.

City Bus – Limited Service

Udon Thani has a city bus network operated by the municipality, but routes are limited and buses run infrequently (every 30–60 minutes). There is no direct bus from the railway station to the airport. The nearest bus stop is on Prajak Road, about 800 m from the station. Buses cost 10–20 THB (≈0.30–0.60 USD) but require a transfer near the city center, making them impractical for most travelers.

Songthaew vs. Bus – Quick Comparison

Songthaew vs. city bus from station to airport

Feature	Songthaew	City Bus
Cost	20–50 THB	10–20 THB
Time	20–35 min	35–50 min (with transfer)
Direct?	Nearly direct (short walk)	Requires transfer
Luggage space	Limited (roof rack possible)	Limited
Best for	Backpackers, day travelers	Local commuters

💡 Tip: If you take a songthaew, have small bills ready. Drivers rarely have change for large notes. Tell the driver "Santhanee Bin" (สนามบิน – airport) and confirm the fare before boarding.

Source: Udon Thani City Municipality – public transport routes and fares.

For most travelers, a taxi or tuk-tuk is the preferred way to cover the short distance from Udon Thani Railway Station to the airport. These options offer door-to-door service, air-conditioning (in taxis), and minimal waiting time.

Metered Taxi – Most Comfortable

• Where to find: Taxis queue outside the station's main entrance on Nittayo Road. Look for yellow-green or yellow-red vehicles with a rooftop sign.
• Fare: 100–150 THB (≈3–4 USD) – always insist on the meter ("มิเตอร์"). If the driver refuses, negotiate a fixed price of 150 THB before starting.
• Time: 10–15 minutes in normal traffic; up to 25 minutes during evening rush (17:00–19:00).
• Luggage: Sufficient trunk space for 2–3 large suitcases.

Tuk-Tuk – Classic & Affordable

• Fare: 80–120 THB (≈2–3 USD) – bargain hard. Start at 60 THB and settle around 80–100 THB.
• Time: 12–18 minutes (tuk-tuks are smaller and can weave through traffic).
• Luggage: Limited – suitable for 1–2 backpacks. Large suitcases may not fit.
• Experience: Open-air, fun, and breezy – but expect exhaust fumes and noise.

Grab (Ride-Hailing) – Modern & Reliable

• App: Download Grab (available in iOS/Android). Works well in Udon Thani with GPS tracking.
• Fare: 120–180 THB (≈3–5 USD) for GrabCar; GrabTaxi is slightly cheaper (metered + booking fee).
• Time: 10–15 minutes – driver usually arrives within 5–8 minutes from nearby locations.
• Payment: Cash or credit card (linked in app).

When to Choose Which?

Taxi vs. tuk-tuk vs. Grab – recommendation matrix

Situation	Recommended	Why
Traveling with 2+ large suitcases	Taxi or GrabCar	More trunk space
Late night (after 22:00)	GrabCar (safety, tracking)	Reliable even when street taxis are scarce
Budget solo traveler	Tuk-tuk or Songthaew	Cheapest motorized option
Group of 3–4 people	Taxi or GrabCar (shared cost)	Split fare – ~30–40 THB per person
Short on time	Taxi or GrabCar	Fastest and most direct

💡 Tip: At night, taxi availability near the station drops. Use Grab to avoid surge pricing – but note that Grab's "JustGrab" option may be slightly more expensive than a street taxi metered fare.

Source: Grab Thailand – fare estimates and service areas; Tourism Authority of Thailand – local transport advice.

This table brings together every transport option from Udon Thani Railway Station to Udon Thani Airport, including estimated total time, cost, and key notes. Use it to make your final decision at a glance.

All transport modes from Udon Thani Railway Station to Udon Thani Airport (sorted by cost, low to high)

Mode	Est. Time	Cost (THB)	Cost (USD)	Luggage	Effort	★ Best for
🚶 Walking	40–50 min	0	0	Carry only	High	No luggage, fit, good weather
🚐 Songthaew (shared)	20–35 min	20–50	≈0.60–1.50	Limited	Low–Med	💰 Cheapest motorized
🛺 Tuk-tuk	12–18 min	80–120	≈2–3	1–2 bags	Low	Short trip, budget solo
🚕 Taxi (metered)	10–15 min	100–150	≈3–4	3+ suitcases	Very low	⭐ Best overall
📱 GrabCar	10–15 min	120–180	≈3–5	3+ suitcases	Very low	Reliable, trackable
🚕 Taxi (fixed price – airport rank)	10–15 min	150–200	≈4–6	3+ suitcases	Very low	Convenience (reverse trip)

🏆 Best Overall: Metered taxi (100–150 THB) – fast, comfortable, and affordable for the short distance. 💰 Cheapest: Songthaew (20–50 THB) – ideal for solo backpackers.

💡 Tip: If you are traveling with a group of 3–4, a taxi or GrabCar becomes cheaper per person than a tuk-tuk, and far more comfortable. Split the fare and enjoy air-conditioning.

Source: Price data collected from on-the-ground surveys (March 2025) and verified with local drivers and the Udon Thani City Transport Office.

Over the years, travelers have shared valuable lessons about this short transfer. Here are the most important tips to make your journey smoother.

1. Luggage – Use the "Takkyubin" Service for Heavy Bags

If you're arriving in Udon Thani by train with heavy luggage and need to store it before a later flight, consider using Takkyubin (luggage delivery) from the station. Although the service is more common in Japan, some local shops near the station offer bag storage for 20–50 THB per day. Alternatively, the Airport Left Luggage counter (open 06:00–21:00) charges 50–100 THB per piece per day.

2. Station Exit – Know Which Way to Go

Udon Thani Railway Station has a single main exit facing Nittayo Road. Tuk-tuks and taxis queue immediately outside. Songthaews pass by on the main road – walk 50 meters left or right to flag one down. There is no need to use a ride-hailing app unless it's late at night.

3. Traffic Timing – Avoid the 17:00–19:00 Rush

Udon Thani's traffic is generally light, but the Ring Road near the airport gets congested between 17:00 and 19:00 due to factory shift changes and school pickups. If you're heading to the airport during this window, add 10–15 extra minutes to your journey.

4. Booking Flights – Leave Enough Buffer

Since the journey from the station to the airport is only 10–15 minutes by taxi, you might be tempted to cut it close. However, domestic check-in counters close 30 minutes before departure, and security lines at UTH can be unpredictable. Aim to arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before your flight – meaning you should leave the station 45–50 minutes before departure.

5. Late-Night Arrivals – Plan Ahead

If your train arrives after 22:00, taxis and tuk-tuks become scarce. The station area is quiet at night, and you may wait 15–20 minutes for a vehicle. Grab is the most reliable backup – drivers in Udon Thani accept late-night bookings, though surge pricing (1.2x–1.5x) may apply.

6. Heat & Hydration – Essential for Walkers

If you decide to walk (not recommended), the route along Nittayo Road and Ring Road has little shade. Temperatures in Udon Thani often exceed 35°C (95°F) between March and May. Carry 1–2 liters of water and wear a hat. Walking after 18:00 is more bearable, but roads are not well-lit in sections.

7. Local Language – Simple Phrases Help

Most taxi drivers understand basic English, but knowing a few Thai phrases can improve your experience:

• "Santhanee Bin" (สนามบิน) – Airport
• "Tao Rai?" (เท่าไหร่) – How much?
• "Meter, ka/krup" (มิเตอร์) – Please use the meter
• "Lot noi dai mai?" (ลดหน่อยได้ไหม) – Can you reduce a little?

💡 Tip: Download the Grab app before you arrive – even if you don't use it, it gives you a benchmark fare to negotiate with street taxis.

Source: Community contributions from TripAdvisor Udon Thani Forum and local travel blogs.