The Red Lotus Sea, Ban Chiang, the Mekong at Nong Khai and Phu Phrabat are about an hour from town; two more are right in the city. All of them are inside the driving area of a 1–7-day rental.
Drive times are rough estimates from central Udon Thani and depend on your route and traffic. Check each place's opening hours before you set off.
A wide lake where red lotuses carpet the water in the cool season, roughly December to February. The flowers are at their best in the morning, so leave town early and be on a boat before the sun gets high.
A prehistoric archaeological site. See the painted pottery at the Ban Chiang National Museum, then the open excavation pit where finds still lie in the ground.
Tip: The museum is indoors, so it suits a very hot or rainy day.
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Walk the riverside promenade, browse the market by the water and stay for sunset over the Mekong. Late afternoon into evening is the nicest time.
Important: Rental cars may never cross the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge or enter Laos.
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A hillside historical park with strangely shaped sandstone rocks, ancient paintings under rock overhangs and carved boundary stones, linked by trails through open forest.
Tip: There is a fair bit of walking on bare rock. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Open in Google MapsGood for your first afternoon with the car, or the evening before you return it.
A park around a lake in the middle of town, with walking and running paths, a suspension bridge and plenty of shade.
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A handsome old yellow building that tells the story of how Udon Thani grew. It does not take long to see and makes a good first stop before heading out of town.
Open in Google MapsEvery place on this page is inside the 1–7-day driving area. To go further, rent for longer.
Paved roads only: no off-road driving, flood water or towing · Read the full terms
Never into Laoswhatever the rental length, and that includes driving over the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai.
There is no GPS unit in the car. Ask for a child seat or Pocket Wi-Fi when you book (Pocket Wi-Fi needs 1 day's notice).
Collect your car free of charge at Udon Thani International Airport, car park A, every day 07:00–20:30. Send us your dates on LINE and we will check which cars are free.
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