Udon Thani and Khon Kaen Guide: Flights From THB 818, Red Lotus Sea to Mid-February
Pick Udon Thani if you want the Red Lotus Sea, whose season runs until mid-February, with the blooms best from 06.00 to 11.00. Pick Khon Kaen for the museum, the stupa and silk. Nonstop flights from Don Mueang start at THB 917 to Udon Thani and THB 818 to Khon Kaen.
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Udon Thani and Khon Kaen are the two big Isaan cities, about an hour by air from Bangkok. Choose Udon Thani for the Red Lotus Sea, whose season runs until mid-February, and Khon Kaen for its national museum, a nine-storey stupa and silk.
Getting there
The fast way is a nonstop flight from Don Mueang with Thai AirAsia or Thai Lion Air, and both serve each city. Fares start at THB 917 to Udon Thani and THB 818 to Khon Kaen, and you land in about an hour.
The train leaves from Krung Thep Aphiwat. If you want to save a hotel night and wake up there, take the 20:25 night train. The day train works if you would rather see the countryside, and it arrives in the afternoon.
| Train | Leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat | Reaches Khon Kaen | Reaches Udon Thani |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night train | 20:25 | 04:12 | 05:44 |
| Day train | 08:45 | 15:32 | 16:58 |
Which city for what
Stay in Udon Thani for the Red Lotus Sea, Ban Chiang and Phu Phra Bat. For the museum, the stupa, the lake and the silk villages, base yourself in Khon Kaen.
| City | Go for | Opening or season |
|---|---|---|
| Udon Thani | Red Lotus Sea at Non Han Lake | Season until mid-February, 06.00 to 11.00 |
| Udon Thani area | Ban Chiang National Museum | Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Udon Thani area | Phu Phra Bat Historical Park | Daily, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Khon Kaen | Khon Kaen National Museum | Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Khon Kaen | Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon stupa | At Wat Nong Waengon on Klang Mueang Road |
Red Lotus Sea
Plan your visit for December to February, in the morning, when the bloom is at its best. The Red Lotus Sea (Talay Bua Daeng) is at Non Han Lake in Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani, and the best time of day is 06.00 to 11.00, so set an early alarm. Boats and drivers are for rent at the side of the lake, roughly 300 to 500 baht per hour. Agree the price before you board.
Ban Chiang and Phu Phra Bat
Save Ban Chiang National Museum for a day between Wednesday and Sunday, when it opens from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It opens on public holidays too. Confirm the entry fee at the ticket window.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park welcomes visitors every day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Khon Kaen
Build your day around the museum, which is closed on Monday and open Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, the nine-storey stupa, stands at Wat Nong Waengon on Klang Mueang Road. Khon Kaen is a historic centre of silk production, so ask at your hotel about a silk village trip and settle the price before you set off.
When to go
Come in the cool season, from mid-October to mid-February, when the north and north-east turn cooler and drier. The rest of the year splits into hot, from mid-February to mid-May, and rainy, from mid-May to mid-October. For the Red Lotus Sea, aim for December to February, inside the cool season.
If something goes wrong
Dial 1669 for a medical emergency, 191 for the Royal Thai Police and 1155 for crimes involving tourists. Read the emergency numbers guide and the tourist police guide before you travel. For a stay extension, see Extend Thailand visa exemption.
Photos (2)
- Somboon R
- Rachada Kaewinchai
Not confirmed: Train and bus fares are unconfirmed, so check at the station counter or the bus terminal. The Red Lotus boat tariff is unofficial, so agree the price first.
Common questions
When is the Red Lotus Sea season?
Aim for December to February, in the morning, when the bloom is at its best. The recommended travel season runs until mid-February.
What time should I see the Red Lotus Sea?
Arrive early: the blooms are at their best between 06.00 and 11.00.
How much is a boat on the Red Lotus Sea?
Expect roughly 300 to 500 baht per hour for a boat and driver, rented at the side of the lake. Settle the price before you board.
How much is a flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani or Khon Kaen?
Fares from Don Mueang start at THB 917 to Udon Thani and THB 818 to Khon Kaen.
Is there a night train to Udon Thani and Khon Kaen?
Yes, night trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat at 20:25 and 21:25. On the 20:25, you reach Khon Kaen at 04:12 and Udon Thani at 05:44.
When is Ban Chiang National Museum open?
Visit Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; the museum also opens on public holidays.
Is Khon Kaen National Museum open on Monday?
No, it is closed on Monday. Visit Wednesday to Sunday, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Read next
Sources and reader comments
Official sources:
- Thailand PRD, 2 Feb 2026: Red Lotus Sea tourists surge, travel season until mid-February (Wayback copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourism Directory: Khon Kaen National Museum (opens in a new tab)
- State Railway of Thailand: North Eastern Line timetable (departures) (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourism Directory (Ministry of Tourism and Sports): Ban Chiang National Museum (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourism Directory: Phu Phra Bat Historical Park (opens in a new tab)
Show 8 more sources
- Thai Meteorological Department: climate of Thailand (Thai page: regions, monsoons, seasons, temperature) (opens in a new tab)
- National Institute for Emergency Medicine (niems.go.th), home page, Wayback snapshot of 2 Apr 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourist Police Bureau, English home page (hotline banner, partner-agency numbers, mobile app block, contact box) (opens in a new tab)
- Public Relations Department (prd.go.th): emergency numbers list, posted 25 Dec 2023 (Wayback copy) (opens in a new tab)
Company and press pages (not official sources):
Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.
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