How to Get Around Isaan - Northeast Thailand

Getting in: budget airlines fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Phanom, Buriram and Nakhon Ratchasima in about an hour, and this is much the easiest way in. Overnight sleeper trains run to Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani.

A hire car is the sensible way around. The Khmer temples, Ban Chiang and the Mekong river road are all awkward on public transport, roads are good and empty, and distances are long. Driving here is easier than anywhere else in Thailand.

Buses connect every provincial town cheaply and frequently, and songthaews cover local routes.

To Laos: the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai is the main crossing to Vientiane, with further bridges at Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom and Bueng Kan. Visas on arrival are available for many nationalities.

Allow more time than distances suggest — the plateau is very large.