Winters are fairly dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is hot with the average daily maximum at 36.2 °C (97.2 °F). The monsoon season runs from late-April through early-October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.

• 

  17.386388102.7883331 Udon Thani Airport (UTH  ^IATA). Has several 50-min daily flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi [BKK]) (Thai Airlines: around 2,500 baht) or (Don Mueang [DMK]) (Air Asia from 500 baht and Nok Air from 1,250 baht if booked well in advance). There are also direct flights from Chiang Mai, Loei and Phuket (Air Asia flies to Phuket with tickets often around 1,000-1,200 baht, which saves a 2-night bus/train trip via Bangkok). (updated Oct 2021)

To get to the city there is a limousine service (actually a minibus) for 80 baht/person that will drop you and other passengers at the location of your choice. Minibus tickets are available in the booth just to the right as you leave the terminal building. If there are more than two of you, it may be cheaper to call a taxi (☏ +66 42 323239) or to use Grab ride-hailing service, which (as of January 2019) costs 160 baht to/from central Udon. Taxis are not permitted to wait for passengers at the airport, but some do it anyway, asking 200-400 baht for the 4 km journey. Some hotels have pickup services and may take an extra passenger or two if space permits. Some long distance buses to Khon Kaen were seen in the airport, with numerous people boarding them. No local Udon Thani songthaews have been seen near the airport.

If you are travelling on to Nong Khai, there is a bureau straight ahead of you when you get to the arrivals hall which sells minivan tickets to Nong Khai. They have a minibus which meets most flights and for 200 baht they will load you into a minivan. It takes one hour to reach Nong Khai and if you ask the driver he will take you to your hotel, or drop you off at the Thai side of the Friendship Bridge. You can then proceed into Laos.

There are four bus stations in the city:

• 17.4032102.79981 City Centre Bus Station, Station 1 (BKS Station). The city's main bus station is near Central Plaza. 
• Bus Station 2 (Northern Bus Station) (on the western outskirts of the city on the road in from Loei towards Nong Khai). Buses from northern Thailand such as Loei, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai. A tuk-tuk into the city costs about 100 baht from there (Dec 2014). Songthaew 7 will take you there as well. 
• Bus Station 3 (just off the ring road, north side of the city). Third-class buses from Nong Khai. (updated Sep 2015)
• Nakhonchai Air Bus Terminal Udon Thani (Tahan Road opposite the Army Hospital). First class and VIP day and overnight buses from Bangkok. Nakhonchai Air has a good reputation for quality, and for managing its drivers to drive safely. Buses from Bangkok also stop at Bus Station 1 when arriving in Udon Thani, before terminating at their own terminal. Nakhonchai Air has buses departing to Bangkok at 08:50; 09:40; 19:00; 20:50; 21:25; 22:00; and 22:45. Travel time is about 7-9 hours depending on traffic. Regular, 454 baht; VIP, 606 baht. (updated Aug 2017)
• Udon-Bangkok. Buses from Bangkok (Mo Chit), an 8-hour journey, arrive at the BKS station in the city centre. BKS buses to Mo Chit depart at 20:00; 20:30; 21:00; and 21:20. Nakhonchai Air also runs buses to Bangkok. (updated Aug 2017)
• Udon-Chiang Mai. A VIP seat on a bus (e.g., Chackrapong Tour) costs 666 baht (Dec 2014). The overnight journey takes 10½ hr. This has to be one of Thailand's worst bus trips as roads en route are small, rural, and winding. Those on the top of double decker buses may get queasy from all the toing-and-froing. Also, as the mid-point is one of Thailand's more remote areas, your bus may not make the customary 20-min break mid-way, or any break at all. Chackrapong buses to Udon drop you at the remote Bus Station 2, a reason to avoid it if you can by taking Phetprasert. (updated Aug 2017)
  • Phetprasert runs one overnight bus per day between Chiang Mai to Udon (and onto Nakhon Phanom). Buy Phetprasert tickets in the city centre bus station, a 5-minute walk from the shopping mall.
• Udon-Khon Kaen. Air conditioned buses and minivans depart from Udon's Bus Station 1 downtown. There are at least two departures per hour. Duration of the trip is roughly 90 min for the 125 km route. As the old "Non-air conditioned terminal" in downtown Khon Kaen is closed now, the bus will go straight to the Terminal 3 which is 6 km south on the city outskirts. The bus will pass through the city center though, and will stop a few times to drop off the people, so it may be wise to watch the map and get off at the location nearest to your hotel, then take a tuk-tuk or Grab there. 80 baht. (updated Jan 2019)
• Udon-Nong Khai. Buses from several companies depart at least once per hour after 08:00 to Nong Khai, 1 hour, non-air conditioned 3rd class) on the Lao border. Buses from Nong Khai may drop you off north of the city. Follow the locals and hop on the waiting #6 songthaew to the bus station or take a tuk-tuk. 50 baht (Oct 2013). (updated Aug 2017)
• Udon-Pattaya. The 407 Bus Company has daily 08:00, 18:30, and 20:55 buses to Pattaya. The morning bus takes about 12 hours as the bus makes many stops. Night buses take about 10 hr. Fare is 636 baht VIP (Nov 2015). The 407 Company has its office/bus stop near, but not in the city centre bus station. It's on the corner of the main street out the front of the bus station near the 7-Eleven. (updated Aug 2017)
• Udon-Points east. Buses depart around once per hour to Sakon Nakhon (100 baht, 3 hours, air conditioned, 160 km from Udon Thani, on the way to Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan). (updated Aug 2017)
• Udon-Vientiane. There are six express buses a day direct to the Morning Market in Vientiane (80 baht, 2 hours, air-con 1st class departures at 08:00, 10:30, 11:30, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00). Some companies will not sell this trip if you cannot show a visa. These cross-border buses will sometimes carry passengers who have not obtained their Lao visas in advance, but may not wait long enough at the border for a visa on arrival to be applied for and issued. This isn't a problem when the queues are short, but at busy times passengers who don't already have their visas may be left behind and have to continue by local bus or tuk-tuk. There is a notorious scam of foreigners charged up to 100 baht for a 2-min ride, plus 25 baht for the bridge crossing, plus tuk-tuk or taxi to Vientiane. (updated Aug 2017)

Daily trains go to Nong Khai (45 min for a bargain 11 baht) and over the Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River to Laos. Trains are also frequent to Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok. The overnight express sleeper to Bangkok is scheduled to take 9 hr 25 min, but usually takes longer. Nevertheless, it is still quite comfortable and pleasant, especially when taken in a sleeping berth or compartment. A daytime express train to Bangkok traverses a causeway over the large and scenic artificial lake created by the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam (in Lopburi Province). Connections to the major centres of southern Isaan (Buriram, Surin, Si Saket and Ubon Ratchathani) can be made in Nakhon Ratchasima for those who like to travel by rail.

In all, there are daily daytime trains, and three daily nighttime trains from Bangkok to Udon Thani and vice versa (most of which normally originate or terminate at Nong Khai), and several local trains to other destinations, including Nakhon Ratchasima.

• 17.40412102.805272 Train Station. The Udon Thani train station is convenient, near the main tourist area and Central Plaza shopping complex. 

The main bus station, near Central Plaza has a taxi stand. Grab ride-hailing service works in Udon as well, though prices start from 60 baht even for a shortest ride, and increase pretty quickly afterwards.

Udon Thani has many samlors (three-wheeled bicycle taxis), although as elsewhere, they are slowly succumbing to the pressures of the internal combustion engine.

Tuk-tuks, three-wheeled motorcycles, are readily available in most commercial areas. Negotiate a price for your journey before you get in. In Udon Thani the locally made vehicles (called Skylabs) differ from those in most of Thailand outside Isaan in that their fronts are adapted motorcycles. If you travel to Laos, you will also see such vehicles (called "jumbos") there. Tuk-tuks prowl the streets on the lookout for tourists. Apart from long journeys the price should be around 30-50 baht. If you get into the bus station early in the morning and need a guest house they may pretend they can't speak English, drive you around in a small circle "looking" for guesthouses before dropping you around the corner from the station; however, some may not speak English and are just trying to be helpful. They will then ask for 100 baht for a 30-baht journey. There is plenty of accommodation within walking distance of the station.

Udon Thani has a bus-like network of numbered pick up trucks with 2 benches in the back songthaews; cost is 8 or 10 baht per trip (10 baht outside the ring road).

• 17.41795102.785433 Bicycle Rental. Bicycles are available for rent at the northeast corner of Nong Prajak Park. 20 baht/hour. 

Bicycles can also be rented by the day from Asia Backpackers and SPM House.

Motorbike rentals are readily available at many locations in Udon Thani, however the most well known and trusted motorbike rental business in Udon Thani is "Jenny's Motorbike Rental". You can find them on Facebook or at their website www.JennysMotorbikeRental.com

If you wish to travel with a little more comfort, it is recommended to rent a car. The most well-established local car rental in Udon Thani is UD Car Rent, and you will find most major international car hire companies at Udon Thani Airport.

• 17.40374102.801451 Asia Backpackers, 299/5 Prajak Rd (NE of the Number 1 (Central) bus station; on a small road between Prajak and Rangsan), ☏ +66 98 345 0090. Check-out: Noon. Also rents bicycles for 100 baht per day. Great location. Dorm bed 250 baht, fan single room from 400 baht. 
• Karin Hotel (Watthananuwong Rd mid-town between Nong Prajak and Robinson/train station.). Somewhat ageing, but cheap and convenient location. 460-800 baht. 
• King’s Hotel (โรงแรมคิงส์). (Coordinates: 17.40905, 102.78499). No fan rooms, only AC - 320 baht (Feb 2023).
• Krung Thong Hotel (โรงแรมกรุงทอง). (Coordinates: 17.4078, 102.7878). "Single" fan room 190 baht, "single" fan room with TV 250 baht, "single" AC room with TV 350 baht, "double" fan room with TV 270 baht, "double" AC room with TV 350 baht (Feb 2023).
• Kumkaew Udon, 146/1 Srisuk Road. Check-out: 12:00. Air-con double with own bathroom and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi. 320 baht. (updated Mar 2017)
• Phet House Hostel. (Coordinates: 17.40339, 102.80148). Near the Bus Station 1, Fan room 250 B, AC room 350 B. (Feb 2023)
• 17.40492102.821582 Phimonrat Mansion, Phimonrat Mansion 38/9 Moo 5 Robmuang Rd (junction of Mittraphap, Nong Bua Rd. 100 m E of Nong Bua Rd), ☏ +66 42 243389. Rooms with air con, TV and fridge, Wi-Fi in and outside. Thai food & drinks are available (30-200 baht) and laundry on-site. Staff speak little English, but good Japanese. Thai owner has visited Europe extensively. 350 baht. 
• Rich Hotel (โรงแรมริช). (Coordinates: 17.4060, 102.8076). Old building. Clean bedsheets and pillows, blankets not. Noisy roosters on the northern side. One bed (1-2 people) fan room 190 baht, two beds (2-3 people) fan room 240 baht, one bed (1-2 people) AC room 290 baht, two beds (2-3 people) AC room 350 baht (Feb 2023).
• Ruysuk Mansion Hotel, 249/1 Adunyadet Rd. Popular inexpensive hotel for long and short stay with English-speaking management. Discount for long stays. Wi-Fi. Air-conditioned rooms. From 300 baht. 
• 17.40528102.80173 SPM House. Decent cheap rooms in good location. They also have a street side make shift bar outside. They also rent motorbikes for 200 baht per day and bicycles for 60 baht per day. 450 baht. 
• 17.406978102.8023324 Top Mansion, 35/3 Samphanthamit Rd (200 m from Central Plaza shopping mall), ☏ +66 42 345015, topmansion@yahoo.com. Convenient for bus and train stations, night market, UD Town Shopping Centre and Paolo Memorial Hospital. On the street with foreigner-oriented bars and pubs. 450-590 baht. 

• 17.405585102.8019075 @ Home at Udon (แอทโฮมแอทอุดร), 11/11 Sampanthamit Rd, ☏ +66 42 212 800, at_home_at_udon@yahoo.com. There's a lot to like about this unobtrusive hotel: great price, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, spotlessly clean, great location in the middle of the tourist entertainment zone, good water pressure, off-street parking. The only quibbles are no bedside reading lamp and no illumination for shaving. 750 baht high season. (updated Feb 2018)
• Charoen Hotel, 549 Phosri Rd (A few hundred metres SW of the central bus station). 250 standard rooms, 3 superior rooms and 2 suites, on a 10-acre area surrounded by garden and beautifully landscaped with swimming pools. From 950 baht. 
• 17.40606102.802086 Irish Clock, 19 / 5 - 6 Samphanthamit Rd. Bar, restaurant, hotel that is and popular with Udon's expats. Bar open 08:30-23:00. Kitchen open 08:30-22:00. Big Christmas dinner every year. Adults 595 baht; children 295 baht. Free Wi-Fi. Room 833 baht. (updated Oct 2022)
• 17.212617103.0337077 Ma Der Bua Hotel (โรงแรมมาเดอบัว), Chiang Haeo, Kumphawapi District, ☏ +66 81 974 3560. Check-out: 12:00. Hotel, bar, and restaurant at the side of Red Lotus Lake. Managed by very helpful and friendly couple. The lady speaks English. The village of Ban Diam and its temple and tourist market is within walking distance, but you may also borrow bikes if you want to go a bit further. Breakfast is included, as is Wi-Fi. 1,200 baht. (updated Mar 2018)
• Nuntiya Terrace, 549 Prachasanti Rd (City centre), ☏ +66 42 321282. Central, clean, TV, air-con, Wi-Fi, parking lot. Daily rate and monthly rates are available. 
• Santipran Place, 99 Tongyai Rd, Makkhaeng (Very near Bangkok Hospital), ☏ +66 42 224 579, santipranplace.udon@gmail.com. Check-in: 14:00-20:00, check-out: 12:30. Managed by the English-speaking Dowdy, a highly competent and helpful lady. Their website is excellent and shows the four types of accommodation available. Suites have kitchen sink, microwave, large refrigerator. Spotlessly clean and welcoming. Advance reservations are recommended due to its popularity. From 500 baht. (updated Aug 2015)
• Silver Reef Bed & Breakfast, 338/8 Prajack Rd (5-min walk to Central Plaza), ☏ +66 42 344081. Central, close to the bus station and Central Plaza. Rooms have TVs, air-con, Wi-Fi. Cheerful theme with cartoon characters. Canadian management. From 500 baht. 
• TaNiTa (Lagoon) Resort, 113 Baan Nong Huaw Mue (2 km from airport), ☏ +66 81 8846334, tanita_resort@yahoo.com. Nine standard rooms in large area surrounded by nice lagoon and beautiful garden. From 680 baht. 
• Udon Airport Hotel, 14 Moo 1, Udon-Nongbua Lampoo Rd (500 m from airport), ☏ +66 42 346223-4, +66 42 346513-4, fax: +66 42 346514, udonairport.hotel@gmail.com. On a 3-hectare area surrounded by garden and beautiful landscape. 115 standard rooms, 3 superior rooms, and 2 suites. Standard rooms are air-con with mini bar, radio, TV and Internet access. From 800 baht including breakfast. 
• 17.407673102.8028738 Udon Star Palace (Udon Star), 75/3 Watthana Nuwong (at the bottom end of the bar street, Soi Suphanthanit), ☏ +66 42 246 808, udonstar@hotmail.com. Run by an elderly Frenchman whose presence is fleeting, the ground floor of the hotel is packed with vintage radios, musical instruments, passenger liner memorabilia and other fabulous knick-knacks. Historical photos of Udon abound. Rooms are huge, clean and eccentric. Pool or snooker table, table football, Wi-Fi and breakfast are all free. ~1,000 baht. 
• 17.231674103.0303279 Horm Duk Resort, 234 Moo 8, Baan Um Chan, T. Um Chan, A Prachak Sinlaphakhom (By car. Or ring for directions.), ☏ +66 87 008 8134. Check-in: Any, check-out: Any. Resort-style garden bungalows with air-conditioning, free wifi and smart TV. Just 5 minutes from the Red Lotus Lake. Each cottage offers a bedroom, bathroom, living room and balcony. Meals and drinks are available. Open 24h. THB500. (updated Dec 2023)
• 17.13517103.0151810 Hormduk Resort (Hormduk Hotel), 234 Moo 8, Baan Um Chan, Prachak Sinlaphakom, ☏ +66 870088134, info@hormduk.com. Check-in: Any, check-out: Any. Hormduk Resort offers air-conditioned cottages with a bedroom, living room and private bathroom. Rooms offer free, fast WiFi, a smart TV and refrigerator. Food and drink is available. The property is just five minutes from the boat pier at the Red Lotus Sea. THB500 - 1,500. (updated Mar 2024)
• 17.13517103.0151811 Hormduk Resort (Hormduk Hotel), 234 Moo 8, Baan Um Chan, Prachak Sinlaphakom, ☏ +66 870088134, info@hormduk.com. Check-in: Any, check-out: Any. Hormduk Resort offers air-conditioned cottages with a bedroom, living room and private bathroom. Rooms offer free, fast Wi-Fi, a smart TV and refrigerator. Food and drink is available. The property is just five minutes from the boat pier at the Red Lotus Sea. THB500 - 1,500. (updated Mar 2024)

• 17.40648102.80084212 Centara Hotel & Convention Centre (Formerly the Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel) (next to Central Plaza shopping centre). Good rooms, amenities, and location. It is just behind, and connected to the Central Plaza Shopping Centre. The tiny, shallow pool on the fifth floor is surrounded by high walls. From 1,300 baht. (updated Feb 2018)
• 17.252673103.03766413 Gecko Villa, 126 Moo 13, Um Chan, A Prachak (Free transfers from Udon Thani). Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. Set in the countryside outside of Udon Thani, this villa has a swimming pool and offers fully serviced stays with freshly prepared Thai food at no additional cost. Fast and free Wi-Fi. Sleeps 2-6. 6,800 baht. (updated Nov 2017)
• 17.251558103.03822414 Green Gecko (Free transfers from Udon Thani). Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. A traditionally-styled Thai house, has a private swimming pool, and offers fully catered and serviced holidays. Sleeps 2-4. 7,900 baht. (updated Jul 2023)
• 17.406141102.80208415 The Pannarai Hotel (เดอะพรรณรายโฮเต็ล), 19/8 Samphanthamit Rd (next door to Irish Clock Bar, near Central Plaza), ☏ +66 88 0576875, +66 42 345111, +66 42 344999, thepannaraiud@hotmail.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Beautiful city location with swimming pool, restaurant, rudimentary gym. Two meeting rooms and private car park. 5 minutes walk to bus and train stations. In the middle of Udon Thani, next to Day & Night, Central Plaza, UD Town Shopping Centre, and Bangkok Hospital. Strong free Wi-Fi. Excellent free buffet breakfast for guests, 06:00-10:00, and non-guests pay 250 baht (Jan 2017). From 1,780 baht including breakfast. (updated Jan 2017)
• Rice Paddy Villa (25 min from Udon Thani. Complimentary transfers). Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. Looking directly over the surrounding rice fields, has a swimming pool and sleeps 2-4 guests. Finished in Thai-style with modern conveniences. 10,000 baht, fully catered. 
• De Princess Hotel, 135/135 Moo 14, Bankojan, Makkaeng, ☏ +66 42 204444, info@deprincesshotel.com. 5 room types. Superior, deluxe, sapphire suite, executive suite and penthouse. Air-con, wi-fi, TV. Nice restaurant. From 2,000 baht/night (updated Jun 2019)

• 17.40534102.8033524 Smarthub, 322/19 Prachaksilpakom Rd (near Central Plaza and the train station, between Bangkok Hospital and 7-Eleven, behind the shops), ☏ +66 42 224485, +66 87 373 2829, new.pchairatna@gmail.com. Daily 09:00-21:00. Work spaces, meeting rooms with audio-visual equipment, Internet, copier, fax, office support staff. Coordinates are approximate. 60 baht for 1 hr, 180 baht per day. (updated Mar 2016)

• Wattra Dental Clinic, Sai Uthit Rd (Purple storefront across from 7-Eleven at Bus Station 1 downtown, 100 m from CentralPlaza), ☏ +66 42 343 057. M-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 09:00-17:00. Competent, English-speaking dentists who work with up-to-date technologies. 800 baht to re-cement molar crown. (updated Nov 2015)