Ubon RatchathaniNeighbourhoods of Ubon Ratchathani
- Nai MueangHistoric city core of temples and markets, ideal for travellers seeking cultural immersion on foot.
Dining: Thai Nightlife: Quiet Shopping: Markets Stays: Mid-Range- Wat Phra That Nong Bua: Striking lotus-shaped stupa located south of the city.
- Ubon Ratchathani National Museum: Museum showcasing local history and culture.
- Local markets: Day markets selling regional food and crafts.
- RiverfrontRiverside dining and evening markets, good base for night walks and street food.
Dining: Street Food Nightlife: Lively (night market) Shopping: Limited Stays: Mixed- Ubon Night Market / Walking Street: Riverside evening market offering food stalls and vendors.
- Mun River promenade: Pleasant riverside strip for sunset walks and street snacks.
- Riverside cafés: Cafés for watching river traffic and trying grilled specialties.
- University QuarterYouthful university area with budget food and cafés, good for budget travellers and campus visitors.
Dining: Cheap Eats Nightlife: Quiet Shopping: Limited Stays: Budget- Ubon Ratchathani University: Green campus hosting occasional cultural events.
- Student cafés and eateries: Budget-friendly cafés and eateries for inexpensive meals.
- Local bookstores and stationery shops: Small bookstores and stationery shops serving student needs.
Ubon Ratchathani at a Glance
Costs: $25-50 per day - cheap street food, inexpensive guesthouses, and budget transport keep costs low.
Safety: Low crime, welcoming city - low violent crime and a welcoming atmosphere; exercise normal street-smart caution.
Best Time: November-February (cool, dry) - cool, dry weather is perfect for temple visits and outdoor activities.
Ubon Ratchathani is a major Isan city on the Mun River, celebrated for its Buddhist temples, the spectacular Candle Festival and proximity to Pha Taem’s prehistoric rock art. Travelers enjoy regional Isan culture, markets and riverside life.
Getting around: Use tuk-tuks and blue songthaews for short trips; Grab and motorbike taxis are available; buses along Samrong and Mittraphap roads link to the airport.
Infrastructure & convenience: 7‑Eleven and markets around Ubon’s city centre ensure convenience; decent hospitals on Mittraphap Road; expect patchy rural mobile signal outside the Mekong and Pha Taem.
Local tips: At temples like Wat Phra That Nong Bua wear modest clothing and remove shoes; use the wai greeting, and bargain gently at the Warin or Night Market.
Dining: Savor Isan classics-som tam, larb, gai yang and sticky rice-at Warin or the Night Market; try grilled Mekong fish and local desserts like khao niew mamuang.
Why Visit Ubon Ratchathani?
Ubon Ratchathani is a cultural gateway to northeastern Thailand where powerful Buddhist traditions and riverside landscapes meet. The city’s annual Candle Festival during Buddhist Lent is a spectacular local highlight, and nearby Pha Taem National Park provides dramatic cliff-top murals and Mekong vistas. Ubon’s night markets serve Isan staples-som tam, sticky rice and grilled river fish-so culinary discovery goes hand in hand with temple visits like Wat Phra That Nong Bua. The city balances festival energy with quiet riverfront life.
Who's Ubon Ratchathani For?
Foodies
Ubon Ratchathani is a great place for bold Isaan flavors-grilled river fish, som tam, sticky rice and fiery laab dominate night markets. Thung Si Mueang market and riverside stalls offer inexpensive, intensely flavored dishes that reflect local culinary traditions.
Nature Buffs
Ubon is a gateway to Pha Taem National Park with cliff-top views and prehistoric rock paintings; nearby Mun River scenery and Kaeng Tana rapids add riverine landscapes. These national-park day trips offer striking geology and seasonal greenery within easy reach.
Families
Safe streets, clear signage and cultural sites like Wat Thung Si Mueang make Ubon straightforward for families. The annual Candle Festival is a colorful highlight for older kids, while parks and night markets provide relaxed, family-friendly evenings.
Adventure Seekers
Beyond town you’ll find rock-scramble trails, river rapids and cliff hikes in Pha Taem and the surrounding countryside. Day trips and one-night treks offer rewarding scrambling and viewpoints; local guides are recommended for more remote routes and river activities.
Plan Your Visit to Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani Bucket List
Don't Miss
Wat Phra That Nong Bua - Sri Lankan-style stupa beside the Mun River, a defining Ubon landmark.
Ubon Ratchathani National Museum - Displays Lao‑Isan artifacts, indigo textiles, and archaeological finds from the region.
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival - July festival with enormous carved wax floats, parades, and Buddhist ceremonies.
Thung Si Muang (City Park) - Leafy central park with the city pillar shrine, weekend markets, and riverside paths.
Hidden Gems
Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station - Classic eastern‑line station with atmospheric platform bustle and nearby street‑food stalls.
Walking Street / Ubon Night Market - Riverside night market and walking street selling grilled snacks, crafts, and performances.
Chao Mae Ong Ubon Shrine (local spirit shrine) - Local riverside shrine attracting daily worshippers and small traditional offerings from residents.
Old City Riverside Promenade - Quiet riverside stretch favored by locals for morning walks and sunset views.
Day Trips
Pha Taem National Park - Cliffside prehistoric paintings overlooking the Mekong, plus sunrise viewpoints and rock formations.
Khong Chiam (confluence of Mun and Mekong) - Riverside district where the Mun meets the Mekong, with viewpoints and morning markets.
Sirindhorn Reservoir (Sirindhorn Dam) - Large reservoir with fishing, birdwatching and sunset views, roughly two hours away.
Kaeng Tana National Park - Riverside rapids, rocky islands and short trails beside the Mun River, accessible by car.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Ubon Ratchathani
Visit Ubon Ratchathani in the cool season (November-February) when lower humidity and milder temperatures make temples and national-park outings pleasant. The hot season is oppressively warm but lively for Songkran, while the monsoon (June-October) turns the landscape lush with heavy afternoon rains.
Cool Season
Dry, pleasant mornings and cooler evenings make temple visits, national-park hikes and city strolls comfortable; busiest months but ideal for exploring without oppressive heat.
Hot Season
Brutally hot, often dusty afternoons; mornings tolerable. Expect temperatures over 35°C. Songkran in April livens the city-plan water fights and early hikes.
Rainy Season
Frequent afternoon storms and high humidity, but countryside and waterfalls are at their greenest. Fewer tourists and lower prices-bring quick-drying clothes and flexible plans.
Ubon Ratchathani's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 17°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1590 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 1.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| February | Ideal | 20° - 33° | 26° | 15 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 1.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| March | Excellent | 23° - 36° | 30° | 26 mm | partly cloudy | 50% | 1.7 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 24° - 36° | 32° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 56% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 24° - 34° | 34° | 208 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.7h |
| June | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 264 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 252 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 33° | 314 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| September | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 282 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 22° - 31° | 27° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 1.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Ideal | 20° - 31° | 25° | 26 mm | some cloud | 80% | 2.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
| December | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 1.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
How to Get to Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani is served by Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP) and by the Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station, the eastern terminus of Thailand’s northeastern rail line. Most visitors arrive by a short domestic flight from Bangkok or by overnight train/bus from the capital.
Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP): The regional airport sits about 8-12 km south of the city centre. Ground transport options include metered taxis to the city centre (around 150-250 THB, roughly 15-25 minutes), airport minivans/shuttles or shared vans (about 50-100 THB, 20-30 minutes), and local tuk‑tuks or motorbike taxis for shorter rides (typically 80-150 THB). Domestic flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Train: Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station is the rail terminus for the northeastern line (จากสถานีรถไฟอุบลราชธานี). Regular services run from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) and intermediate stations; overnight trains typically take about 10-12 hours. Expect a wide price spread depending on class - basic third‑class seats are the cheapest, second‑class fan or air‑con seats and sleeper berths cost more - and book ahead for sleeper berths on peak dates.
Bus: Intercity buses run to Ubon from Bangkok’s Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal and other regional hubs, arriving at Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal (Terminal 2). Travel time from Bangkok is commonly 8-11 hours depending on service (express/VIP faster); ticket prices for VIP/express services are generally in the range of 450-700 THB. Buses are frequent and a reliable alternative to night trains.
How to Get Around Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon is a compact provincial city where short hops by songthaew, tuk‑tuk or motorbike taxi work best; taxis and Grab cover point‑to‑point trips. For arrivals, flying into UBP saves time, while overnight trains or VIP buses from Bangkok are economical and convenient alternatives.
- Domestic flights (to UBP) (900-2,000 THB) - Flying is the fastest way to reach Ubon from Bangkok (about 1 hour 10 minutes). Multiple low‑cost and full‑service carriers operate flights; fares vary by season and how far ahead you book, and flights land directly at Ubon Ratchathani Airport with quick ground connections to the city.
- Train (200-1,200 THB) - The rail terminus at Ubon Ratchathani connects to Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) and intermediate Isan towns. Overnight trains take roughly 10-12 hours; book sleeper berths in advance for comfort. Trains are a laid‑back, scenic option and often cheaper than flying if you choose non‑AC seats.
- Intercity bus (450-700 THB) - Buses from Bangkok’s Ekkamai (Eastern) Terminal and regional hubs serve Ubon’s Bus Terminal 2; travel time is typically 8-11 hours depending on the service. VIP/express buses are comfortable and air‑conditioned - buy tickets in advance during holidays to secure a seat.
- Taxis & tuk‑tuk (50-250 THB) - Metered taxis operate in the city and run from the airport; fares from the airport to the centre are commonly 150-250 THB. Tuk‑tuks are convenient for short distances but you should negotiate a price before setting off. Ride‑hailing apps like Grab work in the city but may have limited coverage late at night or in outer districts.
- Songthaews & local buses (10-40 THB) - Red songthaews (shared open-bed minibuses) and local buses handle most short trips within town and to nearby suburbs; fares are very cheap and typically charged per person. They’re the most economical way to get around, but routes can be informal - ask locals or your hotel which one to take for a particular destination.
- Walking - The city centre (around the market, riverfront and main temples) is compact and easy to explore on foot. Walking is the best way to experience local life, but carry sun protection and water during the hotter hours.
Where to Stay in Ubon Ratchathani
Budget
City centre / Naresuan Rd area - $10-35/night
Basic guesthouses and budget hotels near downtown or transit hubs. Clean, no-frills rooms, limited amenities, good for short stays and tight budgets.
Mid-Range
Downtown near markets - $25-80/night
Three-star hotels and comfortable guesthouses, often with breakfast. Convenient locations near markets, transport, and sights. Better rooms and moderate service.
Luxury
Near convention and business districts - $80-200/night
Limited luxury options in small cities - expect the best full-service hotels in town. Spacious rooms, on-site dining, reliable service and nicer facilities.
Best for First-Timers
Downtown close to river and markets - $15-90/night
Stay near central districts or main transport hubs for easiest navigation. Good selection of hotels, restaurants, and quick access to attractions.
Best for Families
Near parks and family restaurants - $20-85/night
Choose family rooms near parks, family-friendly restaurants, and supermarkets. Mid-priced hotels with larger rooms and simple facilities work best for children.
Best for Digital Nomads
Near university and business areas - $20-80/night
Look for long-stay apartments or business hotels with reliable Wi‑Fi and workspaces. Suburbs with co‑working spaces offer quieter, cheaper monthly options.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ubon Ratchathani’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani has a lively night-market culture - evening bazaars with food stalls, street vendors and casual beer gardens are the heart of the city after sunset. Night markets typically run until 22:00-23:00 and are where you’ll find local snacks, inexpensive drinks and occasional live music. For bars and clubs, head toward the city centre; tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis make short late-night hops easy. Stay hydrated in the warm nights and carry small change for stalls and transport.