Udon Thani to Vientiane

Bus, train or your own van

Udon sits about 55 km south of the Friendship Bridge, the only land crossing into Vientiane. There's no flight, so it's road or rail.

The fastest way is the international bus; the easiest for a group is your own van to the bridge.

When does the bus to Vientiane leave?

The Thai–Lao international bus runs five times a day, from 7am to 3:30pm, and takes 2 to 3 hours, on one ticket all the way.

At the border: you get off for Thai exit and Lao entry, then get back on.

In Udon: the bus leaves Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1, near the Central Plaza shopping centre.

The direct train

A direct daily train, Rapid 147, runs from Udon Thani across the bridge to Vientiane in 3 to 4 hours.

The station in Laos: trains arrive at Khamsavath station in Vientiane, which offers a Lao visa on arrival as well as the eVisa.

The catch: one train a day, so the bus is more flexible.

Miss it, and it's the bus.

At the Friendship Bridge

The First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge closes at night, so Tanner checks the crossing hours for your date.

AI

Photo: AI-generated image

Busy days: expect queues at the checkpoint at weekends and on holidays.

Visa: many nationalities can get a Lao visa on arrival at the bridge, or apply for the eVisa before travel. Check your own passport's rules first.

Crossing time: allow 1 to 2 hours for the border itself, more on busy days.

The easy way for a group

Your own van takes the group from the Udon hotel to the bridge at Nong Khai in about an hour, then the bridge bus goes across.

Our vans don't cross into Laos, so the hand-off is at the border. The van waits in Nong Khai or comes back for the group at a set time.

Every guest needs a valid passport, and Lao visa rules differ by nationality.

Plan it with Tanner.

Bus times and the fare

The Udon Thani to Vientiane bus leaves Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1 five times a day, at 7am, 9am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm, and the fare is ฿80 (checked October 2026).

Every bus stops at Udon Thani airport about 30 minutes after it leaves the terminal, so you can land and go.

The 3:30pm is the last bus out. Miss it and your own van to the bridge still gets you across before it closes.

Coming back from Vientiane

Buses back to Udon leave Vientiane at 8am, 10am, noon, 2pm and 5pm, and stop at Udon airport on the way in.

Tanner's pick: stay a night across the river rather than rush it. The 5pm bus back makes a day trip tight.

What the crossing costs

Four bus seats come to ฿320. For four of you, our luxury van to the bridge and back is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, with the bridge bus across on top.

The bus is cheap; the van saves the terminal, the bags and the wait.

Udon Thani to Vientiane in short

• International bus: 2 to 3 hours, five a day from Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1, ฿80.

• Every bus stops at Udon Thani airport.
• Direct train: one a day, 3 to 4 hours, to Khamsavath station.
• About 55 km from Udon to the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai.
• The bridge closes at night; allow 1 to 2 hours for the border.
• Lao visa on arrival or the eVisa, depending on your passport.

Checked October 2026.

Udon as the base, Vientiane for a day

Udon Thani is the base, and Vientiane is the day trip or a night across the river. Fly into Udon Thani from Bangkok, about 1 hour 10 minutes, then cross to Laos.

Udon: sunset by Nong Prajak Park, UD Town's night market and live bands.

Vientiane: the riverside on the Mekong, cafés and an easy evening.

The Laos alternative: to see more of Laos, the 4th Friendship Bridge at Chiang Khong links to the Mekong slow boat.

See Bangkok to Udon Thani, Udon Thani nightlife and every route on Getting around Thailand, and ask Tanner to book the night across the river.