Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani: Train, Bus & Flight
Compare train, bus and flight options from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, with a six-train timetable, sleeper vs daytime trade-offs and arrival tips.
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Last updated November 2026: the trip from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani comes down to three choices, an overnight train, a daytime train or a flight. This guide compares them by traveler type and works out journey times from the reported timetable. If you are still deciding on the destination, read whether Ubon is worth visiting first.
Quick answer: the best way from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani
Take the overnight train if you want to save a hotel night. Train 23 leaves at 21:05 and arrives at 06:40, a 9 h 35 min trip. Fly if you are short on time. Take a daytime train if you want to watch Isan roll past the window. Train 21 is the fastest daytime option at 7 h 50 min. Ubon is the end of the north-eastern railway line, so the train is the natural default.
Compare your options
Only the train data below comes from a reported timetable. Bus and air cells say verify, because no fares, frequencies or flight times were confirmed for this page.
| Mode | Departs from | Journey time | Comfort | Best for | Booking notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight train (Train 23) | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station | 9 h 35 min | Sleeper berths, dining car | Saving a hotel night | Book early; check fares with SRT |
| Daytime train (Train 21) | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station | 7 h 50 min | 2nd class reserved, air-con railcar | Scenery at the fastest daytime pace | Reserved seats sell out |
| Flight | Bangkok airport to verify | Verify | Standard cabin | Time-poor travelers | Check airline and airport sites |
| Bus | Verify | Verify | Verify | Travelers comparing costs | Check operator pages |
Train timetable: day vs night
Six trains run daily, three by day and three by night. All reportedly leave from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station. Durations in the table are calculated from the reported times. Confirm them on the State Railway of Thailand site before you book. Timetables change. Train 21 arrives at 14:00, which gives you a full afternoon. Train 23 arrives at 06:40, which is hours before a standard hotel check-in. Train 141 arrives at 10:10 after an 11 h 05 min ride. That is closer to a normal start to the day, but it has seats only and no sleepers.
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Class and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 06:10 | 14:00 | 7 h 50 min | Express diesel railcar, 2nd class reserved, air-con |
| 135 | 07:10 | 18:00 | 10 h 50 min | Locomotive-hauled, 2nd/3rd class, dining car |
| 71 | 10:35 | 19:35 | 9 h 00 min | Express diesel railcar, 2nd class reserved, air-con |
| 139 | 19:25 | 06:15 next day | 10 h 50 min | 2nd class non-air-con sleepers, seats, dining car |
| 23 | 21:05 | 06:40 next day | 9 h 35 min | 1st class sleepers, 2nd class air-con sleepers, dining car |
| 141 | 23:05 | 10:10 next day | 11 h 05 min | Seats only, no sleepers |
Flying: what to check
Flying is the choice for anyone short on time, but this page has no confirmed fare, frequency or flight time. Search results hint at a direct one-way service with Thai VietJet Air. Confirm that with the airline before you plan around it. Also confirm whether you fly from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi. Compare door-to-door time against the train, including the trip to the Bangkok airport and your baggage allowance. For the Ubon end, see our Ubon Ratchathani airport guide. Airport details are listed by the Department of Airports Thailand.
Set Train 21's 7 h 50 min against the door-to-door time of any flight, including the trip to the Bangkok airport.
Bus and other options
No bus operator, departure time or fare was verified for this route. Check the Transport Co. site for current services from Bangkok. Compare the journey time with the 7 h 50 min of Train 21 before you commit to a bus.
Booking tips and common mistakes
Book sleeper berths and reserved daytime seats well ahead. Trains 23 and 21 are the most likely to fill. Go to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station, not the older Hua Lamphong, which many readers still expect. Verify the station on your ticket. Plan for the 06:15 to 06:40 arrivals of Trains 139 and 23, since hotel rooms are rarely ready then. Allow slack on daytime trains, which can run late.
Sleeper berths are the booking priority, yet Train 141 arrives at 10:10 after 11 h 05 min with seats only.
- Skip the overnight train if you sleep badly on trains.
- Skip the daytime trains if you need the whole day in Ubon.
- Skip the flight if you want to see the Isan countryside.
- Skip the bus until you have checked current operators.
Arriving in Ubon: first 24 hours
Station-to-city transfer costs and options were not verified, so ask your hotel before you arrive. After a 06:40 arrival, ask your hotel about early check-in or luggage storage. Then start with breakfast. If you arrive on Train 21 at 14:00, you can start the afternoon with things to do in Ubon. Check Ubon weather by season before you choose your travel month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Ubon from Bangkok?
No road distance was verified for this guide. By train, journeys run from 7 h 50 min on Train 21 to 11 h 05 min on Train 141.
Notes for your Thailand trip
Optional updates when we add or change a town or island guide.
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