Nakhonchai Air Bus Service

[papaguido]

Earlier this week I had to make a quick trip BKK to take care of some personal business. I’m not a big fan of bus travel, but it was the least expensive option for my quick turn around.

I booked through Nakhonchai Air and elected the First Class bus service from Udon to BKK 700bt one way. Departed Udon at 9:50 PM and arrived BKK at 5:00 AM. Only two first class buses are offered per day and my return trip was at 9:50 AM, the same morning as my arrival. The other first class bus departs at 9:50 PM.

I had a comfortable ride sleeping most of the way, the only downside it was a bit nosy and it was remedied with my mp3 player (or earplugs). The bus is equipped with individual VOD monitors & game console. I didn’t use it, but I did notice a few movies where available with English sound track.

The seats recline including foot rest and have a massage feature. Ample room even with seats fully reclined. A box lunch served with choice of snacks and beverages (no alcohol). The toilet, located in the center of the bus was always maintained in a clean state and stocked with tissue.

In Udon, the bus terminal is located on Tahan rd opposite the Army Hospital. *Overnight car parking available at Udon terminal. In BKK it’s located near the northern bus station (Mochit), easy access to metered taxis and 5-10 min away to the Mochit BTS/MRT terminal. Taxi fare was 49bt going and 53bt on my return. Very satisfied with the service.



http://www.nakhonchaiair.com/index_en.php

Click on the bus icon to view pics.

**Package/parcel delivery also available.

[downunder]

Do the Taxi Drivers have knowledge of the Nakonchai Terminal in BKK and serve no problem to find it

[Svein66]

My wife use them whenever she can on her trips to and from Bangkok. I prefer airplane, but will try this bus at some point in time to see how it is.

[papaguido]

Do the Taxi Drivers have knowledge of the Nakonchai Terminal in BKK and serve no problem to find it

No problem, I showed the driver my return bus ticket and immediately understood where I needed to go.

[papaguido]

My wife use them whenever she can on her trips to and from Bangkok. I prefer airplane, but will try this bus at some point in time to see how it is.

Me too and if I were spending more time in BKK I would fly, but with the quick turn around I wasn't about to spend 3000bt on air travel.

[kchaiyot]

For now I would like to recommend https://www.busx.com for bus booking or you can use https://www.busticket.in.th for Government bus company Transport Co..

[Laan Yaa Mo]

I used to travel everywhere in Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia by bus. This was from around 1978 t0 2016. Nakhonchai was my bus of choice in Isaan. Sleeping was easy.

[Whistler]

If the travel times suit, I would take the train, sleeper train if time is ok. Much better than bus

[Laan Yaa Mo]

If you want to get there quicker than the train, my choice would be the bus. You will get a good sleep too.

If you are interested in the train, I believe there is another thread on here about train travel that is informative.

[BillaRickaDickay]

Bus Travel? I've done it, Udon - Bangkok overnight, about 10years agoish.
Did you ever see that film, Deathrace 2000?
Maybe it's better now.

[Whistler]

If you want to get there quicker than the train, my choice would be the bus. You will get a good sleep too.

If you are interested in the train, I believe there is another thread on here about train travel that is informative.

Sleeper train Udon to Bang Sue, leaves Udon 19.20 arrives Don Muang, about 5.00, 9 hours. I have done the journey by bus a few times, fastest was 10 hrs 15 miss, but has taken over 12 hours. Also in sleeper not in chair, might be some buses a bit faster but train for me is much better option. Free shuttle bus from DM to Swampy if you have a ticket booked out of that airport

[Khun Paul]

In truth the Buis for Bangkok its time is also governed by the state of the traffic, accidents etc.+Trains apart from the single track fiasco , knows exactly when it gets to BKK.
Nakon Chai still I assume stop ,to change drivers, that was the bit I liked about them never a tired drug fuelled/drunk driver.

[Whistler]

For international travellers, flight times play a big role. In march I had flight time to Sydney around 10.20, in May I had flight time to singspore at 11.40. Flying those times out of udon was iffy. The train timetable was ideal, around 4 hours leeway. No need to fly the night before, taxi to overnight accommodation and early start back to airport to bookin. By train, no hotel fees, no 400 baht taxi each way, no crazy prices for dinner. Unless you want to hook up with some interesting young ladies in Nana or sukamvit soi11, an overnight stay in BKK can be exhausting and expensive 55.

Both Don Muang and Swampy have street food cafeterias so check in, enjoy breakfast and stroll to departure gates.

Bus? Nah.

If I was going to BKK CBD. Maybe bus

[Laan Yaa Mo]

The train from Khon Kaen to Bangkok...not in my lifetime. The bus, yes, I've done that many times. As for the high speed train from Viang Chan to Luang Prabang, I would give that a whirl.

[Bubbler]

Glad to hear the Nakhonchai Air First Class bus worked out for you! I took the same service once and found it pretty comfy too. The reclining seats and massage feature were a lifesaver for the long haul. The noise can be a bit much, but I just used my earbuds to tune it out. The clean toilet and decent food were nice touches.