THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Udon Thani at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Udon Thani อุดรธานี
- Road distance
- About 78 km
- Straight line
- 64 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~1 h 15 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Udon Thani to Vientiane →
- Border
- Laos → Thailand. Passport and visa needed
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and has several bus terminals, each serving a different direction. International buses to Vietnam leave from the Southern Bus 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.
Arriving in Udon Thani
Tuk-tuks and songthaews connect the terminals with the centre.
- 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.
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.
- For Vientiane, the international bus is the simplest way across the border.
KEEP GOING
From Udon Thani, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Udon Thani
More buses from Vientiane
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
Partner links. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Vientiane from Udon Thani 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 Vientiane to Udon Thani 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 Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Vientiane include Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Udon Thani to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Udon Thani to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Udon Thani?+
It depends on the operator. In Udon Thani, services use Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1, Udon Thani Bus Terminal 2. Tuk-tuks and songthaews connect the terminals with the centre.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Udon Thani?+
Tuk-tuks and songthaews connect the terminals with the centre.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Udon Thani?+
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 Vientiane to Udon Thani 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 Udon Thani by bus?+
Direct buses from Udon Thani include Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani, Ayutthaya and more. See all connections on our Udon Thani bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Vientiane to Udon Thani?+
This journey crosses from Laos into Thailand. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.
FOLLOW 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: Vientiane to Udon Thani bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Udon Thani (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →