THE SHORT VERSION
Udon Thani to Vientiane at a glance.
- From
- Udon Thani อุดรธานี
- To
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- Road distance
- About 78 km
- Straight line
- 64 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~1 h 15 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Vientiane to Udon Thani →
- Border
- Thailand → Laos. Passport and visa needed
Ready to travel from Udon Thani to Vientiane?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Udon Thani
Udon Thani is a city in north-east Thailand, about an hour from the Lao border at Nong Khai. International buses run to Vientiane, and long-distance buses to Bangkok and across Isan.
- Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1
In the centre. Long-distance buses and the international bus to Vientiane. - Udon Thani Bus Terminal 2
On the edge of town. Regional services.
Arriving in Vientiane
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
- Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao)
City buses, plus buses to the Thai border and some regional routes. - Southern Bus Terminal
About 10 km from the centre. Routes south and many international buses to Vietnam. - Northern Bus Terminal
About 9 km from the centre. Routes north, such as Luang Prabang.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check that your ticket and terminal match your direction.
- Buses to Vietnam cross at border posts such as Lao Bao or Cau Treo. Check visa rules first.
KEEP GOING
From Vientiane, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Vientiane
More buses from Udon Thani
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Udon Thani from Vientiane by road?+
About 78 km by road (64 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Udon Thani to Vientiane take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 1 h 15 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Udon Thani?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Udon Thani include Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1, Udon Thani Bus Terminal 2, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Vientiane to Udon Thani?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Vientiane to Udon Thani guide.
Where does the bus from Udon Thani arrive in Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. In Vientiane, services use Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal. Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Vientiane?+
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
What kind of bus runs from Udon Thani to Vientiane?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Udon Thani to Vientiane bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Vientiane by bus?+
Direct buses from Vientiane include Nong Khai, Vang Vieng, Khon Kaen, Luang Prabang, Thakhek and more. See all connections on our Vientiane bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Udon Thani to Vientiane?+
This journey crosses from Thailand into Laos. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Udon Thani → Vientiane on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Udon Thani to Vientiane bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Udon Thani (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →