Transportation in Udon Thani

Udon Thani runs on three wheels and two rails. Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks with bench seats) are the everyday workhorses, flag one down anywhere on the main ring-road and hop off by tapping the roof; they're cheap and always moving. Tuk-tuks wait outside malls and markets for door-to-door runs and cost a fraction of a taxi, while Grab gives you a fixed fare and air-con if you'd rather not haggle. For longer hops, the State Railway of Thailand station sits west of the city centre and the long-distance bus terminal is on the eastern edge. Both connect to Bangkok and the Isaan region with frequent service. First-timers should know that the city centre is compact, most sights, hotels and night markets sit inside a 3 km box, so songthaews or a short Grab ride usually beat renting a motorbike. The airport lies 6 km south-west of downtown. Exit the terminal and turn right to the official taxi rank, agree the meter before you load your bags, or order Grab for a locked-in fare. Ignore the unmarked cars inside the arrivals hall; they're the classic tourist trap.