Even Thai people get confused between the Isaan cities of Ubon (Ratchathani) and Udon (Thani), even if some of that is probably due to my pronunciation. “So how was Udon?” I remember one asking me after I came back from what was then my first trip to Ubon.
The tendency to mix the cities up, to be sure, also stems in part from Thais’ self-admitted linguistic laziness. If they simply said the full names of the cities, they’d be harder to mistake for one another. But I digress.
Once you get past the similarities between their names, diving into the comparison of Ubon vs Udon is fascinating. These cities are two of the most unique in Thailand—and both are worth visiting, if you can make it!
How I Came to Know Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani
I never dealt with the confusion between Ubon or Udon within myself, at least not from a nomenclature perspective. Indeed, when I first visited Udon Thani back in early 2015, I didn’t even known that a place called Ubon Ratchathani existed. Nor was I terribly concerned with Udon proper: I was simply bound for the Red Lotus Sea, which ended up being one of my best Thailand travel experiences up to that point.
It would take me over two more years to make my maiden voyage to Ubon, which occurred in late 2017, not longer after moving to Thailand for the second time. While this trip was less successful than my first Udon one had been (I came during the “wrong” season in order to visit the so-called Grand Canyon of Thailand, which ended up being totally submerged), it nonetheless planted a seed of curiosity that’s still sprouting.
Ways to Compare Udon Thani with Ubon Ratchathani
Getting there and around
The good news? Both Udon and Ubon are connected directly to both of Bangkok’s airports, with many daily flights from BKK and DMK to UTH and UBP. The bad news? While both cities’ centers are more or less navigable by bike (if not by foot), you really need a car to explore the periphery of each. If you aren’t comfortable renting a car in Thailand, arrange a taxi via your hotel, or try to do so using the Grab app.
Attractions
Indeed, there are certain things to see within the cores of Ubon and Udon, although Ubon definitely wins in this category, with temples such as Wat Thung Si Mueang and Wat Phra That Nong Bua. In Udon Thani, by contrast, the main city center attraction is the Tea Kappa Train Night Market, which as its name suggests is just outside the railway station (and, to its credit, is an incredible hub of local cuisine).
Food
Speaking of food, delicious Isaan meals are readily available in both cities, whether you want to eat in a restaurant or on the street, and no matter which food you seek. Head out in the morning and buy moo ping (grilled pork) skewers to eat with a bag of khaaw niaw (sticky rice), stop for lunch at a roadside gai yang (grilled chicken) stand or go to a som tam (papaya salad) stall in the evening, getting a side of sai krok isaan (local sausage) to chase with pickled ginger and chili peppers.
Hotels
I’ll be frank: Whether you’re in Udon or Ubon, you won’t be staying in award-winning accommodation. I mean, there are a few “nice” hotels in each city (De Princess Hotel in Udon and Yuu Hotel in Ubon come to mind), but both are lacking by Bangkok standards. I’d generally given Udon the nod here, since Ubon’s city center is a bit more spread out (making “convenience” relative), but overall I’d suggest having modest expectations.
Day trips and excursions
As is the case with many cities in Isaan, Ubon and Udon are at least as valuable for the destinations near them as they are for their cores. From Udon, you can head north to Nong Khai, southward to the Talay Bua Daeng (aka Red Lotus Sea), or outward to sacred sites like Wat Kham Chanot and the Wat Pa Phu Kon “Blue Temple.” From Ubon, meanwhile, the main excursion is to Sam Phan Bok, known (inaccurately, in my opinion) as the “Grand Canyon of Thailand.”
Other Amazing Destinations in Isaan
I never shut up about Isaan—and for good reason. The “Texas of Thailand” is home to an entire country’s worth of incredible travel experiences:
- Loei is an extremely special and non-touristic part of Isaan, particularly if you come during the rainy months when the Phi Ta Kon festival is taking place.
- Central Roi Et is unique and full of things to discover, including one of the most livable city centers in Thailand outside of Bangkok.
- The Mekong periphery between Udon and Ubon is home to many off-the-beaten-path cities and provinces, including Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom.
Other FAQ About Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani
Should I visit Udon Thani or Ubon Ratchathani?
If you have time, you should visit both Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani, each of which offers a travel experience that the other can’t replicate. Udon Thani is in close proximity to cultural and natural destinations that feel magical and surreal, while Ubon Ratchathani feels earthier and more grounded.
Are Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani the same city?
Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani have similar names, but they are not the same city. While Udon Thani sits in the northern part of Isaan just across the Mekong River from Vientiane, Laos, Ubon Ratchathani is further southward and eastward (though still close to the river).
How do I travel between Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani?
In spite of their proximity—just over 200 miles “as the crow flies”—it takes a while to get between Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani. If you don’t have your own car or don’t plan to hire a taxi, (~6 hours) the best way to travel is via bus (~7 hours). If you want to avoid traveling by road, you could fly via one of Bangkok’s airports (there are no nonstop flights between the airports), though I’d say that this is an unnecessary hassle.
The Bottom Line
Comparing Ubon vs Udon is a more intensive exercise than you might imagine. Although Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani are in the same part of Thailand (Isaan), they are completely different from one another. Udon Thani is a gateway to mysterious lotus ponds and shrines that hold the secret to great fortunes, while Ubon Ratchathani is notable mostly for its annual candle festivals, as well as for its proximity to the so-called “Grand Canyon” of Thailand. Certainly, these cities are different enough that you should try to visit both of them. Need help assembling an actionable Isaan itinerary? Consider hiring me to plan it!
