What this page says about Chiang Khan comes from the Loei provincial website, the news and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, named at the end, checked on 8 Nov 2026. Local times and services can change, so please check again before you go.
What to do in Chiang Khan
Chiang Khan is a town on the Mekong, just under 50 km from Loei city. Its old wooden shophouses now hold shops, restaurants and guesthouses, and the riverbank walkway is the place for photos at sunset (TAT Newsroom).
- Walking streetChai Khong Road, every evening, busiest at weekends (Loei province; we confirm it opens every evening)
- Sticky-rice almsIn the morning, a long-standing local tradition (Loei province)
- Kaeng Khut KhuA wide stretch of the Mekong with rocky islets at low water; long-tail boats for hire (Loei province)
- Busiest seasonThe cool season: TAT calls the cooler months a popular time to visit Loei, and Phu Thok's mist is best from the end of the rains into the cool season
Besides the walking street, you can cycle along the Mekong for the views and local life (Loei province).
Phu Thok: up by songthaew, not by rental car
Phu Thok is a viewpoint for the sea of mist and the sunrise, about 5.2 km from Chiang Khan town and about 500 metres above sea level, looking over the town and both banks of the Mekong.
Private cars are not allowed up Phu Thok. You go up and down by a round-trip songthaew run by a local villagers' group together with the Chiang Khan sub-district council. Leave the rental car at your hotel or at the pick-up point, and check the times and fare locally (Daily News, 17 Oct 2026).
The mist is at its best in the early morning, so stay the night in Chiang Khan and go up before sunrise.
Driving there
Chiang Khan is north-west of Udon Thani, about 195 km from the airport, a little over 3 hours' drive. Set off in the daytime so you arrive before dark.
| Route | Distance (about) | Drive (about) |
|---|---|---|
| Udon Thani airport → Chiang Khan | 195 km | 3 hr 10 min |
| There and back from the airport | 390 km | 6 hours or more |
| Chiang Khan town → Phu Thok | about 5.2 km, by songthaew only | |
Measured with OpenStreetMap routing; drive times assume light traffic and no stops. Allow extra time on long weekends.
Directions from the airport to Chiang Khan in Google Maps
Keep to paved roads: no off-road driving and no driving through flood water. In town, park where your hotel tells you and explore on foot.
Driving area and distance
Allowed on every rental length
Loei province is inside the driving area of the shortest rental (1–7 days: 8 provinces), and longer rentals reach further still, so Chiang Khan is allowed whatever the rental length. See the full driving area
What to watch is the distance: the contract assumes an average of 200 km a day, pooled over the rental; distance above that costs ฿10 per km. Chiang Khan and back from the airport is about 390 km.
- 1-day rental (200 km): not enough, and the round trip is too long for one day anyway
- 2-day rental (400 km in all): just about; extra driving around Chiang Khan may take you a little over
- 3 days or more (600 km in all): room to spare for stops on the way
Planning a longer drive? Ask us on LINE before you book.
A 2-day plan
Adjust this example to your flights and your hotel. The times of day are rough.
Day 1
Collect the car, drive to Chiang Khan, walk the street
- MorningFree pick-up at car park A1, at the airportEvery day, 07:30–19:00. Fill the tank and set off.
- AfternoonArrive in Chiang Khan and check inA little over 3 hours' drive; take a break on the way.
- EveningThe riverside and the walking streetSunset by the Mekong; the walking street runs every evening and is busiest at weekends.
- Morning
Day 2
Phu Thok at dawn, then drive back to Udon
- Before dawnSongthaew up Phu ThokThe sea of mist and the sunrise; the rental car stays at the hotel.
- MorningKaeng Khut Khu for the Mekong views
- After lunchDrive back to UdonAllow time to arrive before 19:00 if you return the car today. Fill the tank, then return it at car park A1.
The sticky-rice alms and the Phu Thok sunrise are both at dawn: pick one, or stay two nights to do both.
- Before dawn
Back after hours? Hand-overs are free every day from 07:30 to 19:00. Outside those hours there is a charge of ฿500 per hand-over, with no fee on rentals of 15 days or more.
Tips before you go
- Book your room early, especially for cool-season weekends.
- A light jacket. Phu Thok before dawn is cooler than you expect.
- Fill up before you leave Udon and take a break every hour or two on the long drive.
- Travelling with small children? Ask for a free child seat when you book (limited number).
- Fill the tank before you return the car. Our fuel rule is full to full.
Which car to choose
It is a long drive with a night away, so pick a car with room for everyone's bags. Every car is automatic with a reversing camera.
Economy cars
e.g. Suzuki Celerio · 5 seats · 1 bag
From ฿870/day
Sedans
e.g. Toyota Yaris Ativ · 5 seats · 2 bags
From ฿990/day
7-seaters
e.g. Mitsubishi Xpander · 7 seats · 4–6 bags
From ฿1,490/day
Starting prices per day for rentals of 2 days or more, low-season weekdays, with CDW included (collision damage waiver: you pay at most the excess per incident). The cash deposit is separate and comes back when you return the car in good order. See all cars and prices
Going to Chiang Khan? Send us your dates on LINE.
Tell us your pick-up and return dates and how many people. We check which cars are available and reply with the price in the chat. Pick up free of charge at Udon Thani International Airport, car park A1, or have the car brought to your hotel in town (฿350 per trip for rentals under 7 days, free from 7 days).
Quick replies on LINE 07:00–22:00WhatsAppCall +66 90 888 33 84
Sources: walking street every evening: K Car Rent, 8 Nov 2026 · walking street, sticky-rice alms, Kaeng Khut Khu and the mist season: Loei Provincial Office website (places in Chiang Khan) (Thai) · Phu Thok and the songthaew: Daily News, 17 Oct 2026 (Thai) · distance from Loei city, the wooden shophouses, the riverbank walkway and Loei's cool season: TAT Newsroom, 24 Dec 2020 · distances and drive times: routes on OpenStreetMap · all checked 8 Nov 2026
