Loei doesn’t have as many transportation options as other cities, but visitors will be glad to learn that there are daily flights from Bangkok into its small airport as well as multiple bus routes from nearby cities and provinces. In this short transit guide, we’ve summarized the major methods of how to get to Loei from major cities across Thailand.
How to get to Loei from other parts of Thailand
Airplane
The small Loei Airport (LOE) services domestic flights to and from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). AirAsia offers flights twice per day and Nok Air offers flights three times per day. The fight is roughly an hour and fifteen minutes long. One-way tickets can go for less than 1,000 THB (roughly 30 USD) depending on the time of year you fly.
Airline | DMK to LOE | LOE to DMK |
AirAsia | 10:15am to 11:25am 4:20pm to 5:25pm |
11:55am to 1:05pm 5:50pm to 6:50pm |
Nok Air | 9:10am to 10:25am 2:10pm to 3:20pm 5:15pm to 6:30pm |
11:10am to 12:20pm 3:50pm to 4:55pm 7:00pm to 8:35pm |
The planes are small, so standard sized carry-on luggage won’t fit in the overhead bins. Be prepared to check your ‘large’ bags if they are anything other than a purse, small backpack, or laptop bag.
Train
Loei does not have its own train station but its neighboring provinces do. The Northern Line stops in Phinsanalok City and the Northeastern Line stops in Khon Kaen City and Udon Thani City. Both railway lines originate in Bangkok at the Hualamphong Railway Station.
Northern Line from Bangkok to Phinsanalok
Train No. and Conditions | Departing Time | Arriving Time |
#111 Second and Third Class Seats, Restaurant Car | 7:00am | 1:45pm |
#7 Second Class AC Seats with meals | 8:30am | 1:22pm |
#3 Second Class AC Seats with meals | 10:50am | 4:04pm |
#109 Second and Third Class Seats, Second Class Sleeper (no AC), Restaurant Car | 1:45pm | 8:37pm |
#9 First and Second Class Sleeprs (AC), Restaurant Car | 6:10pm | 12:18am |
#13 First and Second Class Sleeprs (AC), Restaurant Car | 7:35pm | 1:49am |
#107 Second and Third Class Seats, Second Class Sleepers (AC and no AC), Restaurant Car | 8:10pm | 2:38am |
#51 Second and Third Class Seats, Second Class Sleepers (AC and no AC), Restaurant Car | 10:00pm | 4:40am |
Northeastern Line from Bangkok to Udon Thani
Train No. and Conditions | Departing Time | Arriving Time |
#75 Second Class AC Seats with meals | 8:20am | 5:10pm |
#77 Second Class AC Seats with meals | 6:35pm | 3:36am |
#25 Second and Third Class Seats, Restaurant Car | 8:00pm | 5:58am |
#133 Third Class Seats, Restaurant Car | 8:45pm | 7:40am |
Bus
There is an extensive bus network that takes passengers many miles across Thailand’s countryside to Loei. Bus tickets can be booked through various agencies in town or with help from your guesthouse’s or hotel’s front desk staff.
However, we’ve found it quite convenient to book our tickets online through 12go.asia. The site is in English, we can book well in advance, and we can pay using a debit or credit card. What a relief!
Buses begin boarding 30 minutes before departure time. Be sure to arrive 45 to 60 minutes in advance to give yourself time to check in, buy some road snacks, and use the facilities before jumping on the bus.
Departing City | Departing Times | Price (THB) | Travel Time |
Bangkok (Mo Chit Station) Express Bus – Kradueng Tour |
8:30am, 10:30am, 8:00pm, 9:25pm, 9:30pm | 450 | 8 hours |
Bangkok (Mo Chit Station) VIP24 – Sun Bus |
8:00am, 8:00pm and 10:00pm | 662 | 9 hours |
Chiang Mai Express Bus – Phet Prasert |
9:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm | 660 | 9.5+ hours |
Chiang Rai transfer to Chiang Mai Express Bus- Green Bus VIP Bus – Green Bus |
6:15am, 7:45am, 9:15am, 9:40am, 9:45am, 10:25am, 11:00am, 11:15am, 11:30am, 12:15pm 9:00am,9:45am, 11:15am, 12:05pm, |
229 511 |
9+ hours |
Phitsanulok Bus Terminal 2 Express Bus – Phret Pasert |
10:20pm and 11:00pm | 247 | 4.5 hours |
Car
If you prefer not to rely on public transportation, it is possible to rent a car at the airport and then drive yourself around the country. This opens up many more opportunities to site see and get lost… but in a good way, of course! If you don’t have cellphone service, get a car with a GPS.
I visited Loei during my friends wedding. We rented a car from udon thani airport from a local company called UD Car Rent. It all worked out fine. http://www.ud-carrent.com
However they are many more companys in Udon Thani that seems legit as well
http://www.bestcarrentaludonthani.com
http://www.ncarrental.com
http://www.udonrentacar.com
Thanks for sharing! If you’re comfortable with driving in Thailand, this is the way to go.