nakhon phanom to mukdahan or ubon ratchathani to mukdahan, WHY UBON LONGEST WAY TO SAVANAKHET ?

[thailandforumaddict]

Hello,

Nakhon Panom is closer to Mukdahan than Ubon ratchatani:

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=nakhon+phanom+to+mukdahan

1 h 50 min (129.2 km) via Route 212

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=ubon+ratchathani+to+mukdahan

2 h 38 min (185.0 km) via Route 212

So why Nok air proposes a bus from Ubon and many people seem to fly to Ubon instead of Nakhon Panom ?

Is it because less daily flights are available for Nakhon Panom and more for Ubon ?

NOK AIR

10:20 11:30 DD9514 B737-800

AIR ASIA

08:30

(DMK)

09:45

(KOP)

15:10

(DMK)

16:20

(KOP)

It seems that one can apply for visa at Savanakhet the same day if rushing from Ubon but not from Nakhonpanom ?

And do you know how to go from Nakhon panhom to Mukdahan ? Taxi or bus available ?

Thanks for your experience.

[CharlieH]

MOVED to TRAVEL

[KhunBENQ]

The first flight to Ubon leaves at 6:05h, bus arriving at Mukdahan approx. 10:00h.

If that is not early enough then indeed you are lost.

And yes, only one flight to N.P. departing 10:20h.

Edited June 17, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[SantiSuk]

More flights arriving at Ubon (16 plays 5) + Early flight to Ubon + More trains arriving at Ubon (ie Mukdahan nil) + More regional buses arriving at Ubon + More expats living in provinces local to Ubon

= critical mass for direct bus link

I guess.

Looks like the flight costs are very similar based on testing 30June/2 July comparative Nok Air flights (about 2,300 baht return on special promotion for both, including payment fee): you might save a few baht if there is a public bus service from NP airport to the Bridge, but equally it might be more expensive due to lower demand. I suspect the DIY option would be more expensive via Mukdahan if you need to get a taxi from NP airport to NP town, as it is 15km from NP airport to NP bus station; it's about 5km from Ubon airport to Ubon bus station (say 75baht if you catch a taxi from the airport gate, having walked 3 mins).

Maybe someone here has better info on the Mukdahan option and pricing.

Potential for having to stay somewhere an extra day if via NP is likely to make the Ubon option the cheapest for them's on a budget

Other refs:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827863-savannakhet-visa-run/

http://www.travelfish.org/transport/thailand/northeast_thailand/mukdahan/mukdahan/all

[As it happens I had done the research on this recently for a friend living in Bangkok. He eventually chose Nong Khai (holiday in Vientiane considerations). I never did get so far as to get him details of the Ubon to bridge border or to Mukdahan services which seemingly would have needed me to call by Ubon bus station. I could not find a road trip report form anyone who had done the run from BKK to Sav via Ubon or NP. Sure there must be one out there somewhere].

Edited June 17, 2015 by SantiSuk

[thailandforumaddict]

Thank you, and sorry that I didn't see that on their website Nok air proposes a bit from Nahompanom to Mukdahan, but maybe it's actually wrong. see below. Air Asia has a bus from Ubonratchatani for sure, but not Nok air I think...

Something weird on Nok Air website: if you select to fly to NAKHON PAHOM they propose only 1 flight daily.

If you select to fly to MUKDAHAN they propose 5+ flights daily, so I guess that they changed their route and now their bus is going to MUKDAHAN from UBON and not any more Nakhon pathom.

The flights proposed for Mukdahan are the same as the flights proposed to Ubon, so this is why I think their bus to Mukdahan leaves from Ubon.

Can you confirm ?

[thecaveman]

Nok Air's "Fly'n'Ride" service to Mukdahan includes 3 airports: Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Phanom and Sakhon Nakhon. Sakhon Nakhon is the closest one to Mukdahan.

The general drop off point in Mukdahan is close to the Ploy Palace Hotel in downtown Mukdahan (several kilometers away from the bridge and also quite far from the central bus station). Only the Nakhon Phanom - Mukdahan route and vice versa has an additional drop off point near the bridge.

Air Asia have a Fly'n'Ride service to Mukdahan only via Nakhon Phanom (2 flights daily). Drop off point is at the Indochine Market. You will need to use a tuk tuk or a taxi to get to the bridge (approx. 8 - 10 kilometers).

Lao Airlines have direkt flights Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) - Savannakhet 4 times a week (Mo, We, Fr, Su).

Edited June 18, 2015 by thecaveman

[KhunBENQ]

Can you confirm ?

In total (all flights):

9 flights from DMK to UBP

3 flights from BKK to UBP

(from 6:05h to 19:30h)

3 flights from DMK to KOP

(8:30h, 10:20h, 15:10h)

DMK = Don Mueang

BKK = Suvarnabhumi

UBP = Ubon Ratchathani

KOP = Nakhon Phanom

With or without bus shuttle a lot more options from Ubon.

Edited June 18, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[Nignoy]

British govt spent Mak Mak Baht building a runway near Leong Nok Tha ,Muk is just up the road,short walk across the bridge or a long swim, at least now one is permitted to cross the river

[AsianExport]

Nakhon panom is the only smart choice if you take a plane.

 

But if you didn't pay for fly and ride, how to go from Nakhon airport to Mukdahan ?

 

And is there any bus from Mukdahan to Nakhon airport on the way back ?

 

Thanks.

[JaiLai]

Why on earth do expats get buses in this country?? Taxis are so cheap and take you exactly to your destination - no brainier IMO..

[EcigAmateur]

More flights to Ubon, and even some from Pattaya utapao. Maybe the reason ?