Transport From Udon Thani Airport To Friendship Bridge Or Vientiane

[Tomtomtom69]

I was wondering if I could just show up at Udon Thani airport and find a private car (or taxi) transfer to the Friendship Bridge and how much this would cost. Also how much extra would it be to drop me on the Lao side?

I actually have a Lao car that could pick me up from Udon Thani airport, but it would be quite expensive so I was looking at saving some money. Incidentally, the pickup is free from the Lao side of the Friendship Bridge so probably no need to go all the way into Vientiane from Udon Thani with the same car, but since going by car allows you to clear immigration faster (and I don't need a visa anyway) I was wondering if anyone knew what the going rates are for 1) Udon Thani to the Friendship Bridge and 2) Vientiane city.

[Freeman64]

In the past I have found it difficult (and expensive) to get transport out of Udon airport.

I now have a very good driver I use when I travel to and from Udon to places further north. Great to have a driver who speaks and more importantly understands enough English to get by.

Much easier, more dependable and in the long run a lot less hassle than using the unknown quality of Udon taxis.

No offence intended to Udon taxi drivers who are generally pretty good.

I am happy to share my 'driver' with anyone needing a chauffeur around Udon. PM me if you want more info.

[canopus1969]

Why are you flying to Udon - fly direct to Vientiane = simple

[ubonjoe]

Flying direct to Vientiane costs about 3 times as much a flight to Udon.

Nok Air has flights listed as Vientiane that are fly/ride via Udon.

Then have been reports that a reliable mini bus service is available from Udon airport to the bridge.

[Tomtomtom69]

Why are you flying to Udon - fly direct to Vientiane = simple

Actually, I didn't fly to Udon at all - I dropped off a rental car there, because Udon is the nearest place to Laos where you can pick up/drop off a rental car. However, on the occasion I did fly, I found flying to Udon much cheaper than Vientiane - I have also flown into Vientiane but it's only worth doing that if you have a through ticket from say, Australia on Thai Airways, where you only pay like $50 extra for the return Vientiane leg, but if you purchase separately we're talking 10,000 Baht on Thai and 6,600 on Bangkok Airways. THAI is only 4,200 return to Udon and about that or less if you fly Air Asia or Nok Air.

[bunnydrops]

Not sure if getting to the bus station is a problem, but I have found that the International bus is the cheapest way to go. I know the one to Vang Vieng is only 270bt from Nong Khai but starts in Udon.. There is one to Vientiane, Not sure where it starts but is only about 60 bt from Nong Khai. Both save you the 20bt bus ride across the bridge. and the Tuk Tuk ripoff on the other side.