Where To Stay In Ubon Ratchathani
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Choosing where to stay in Ubon Ratchathani is one of the most rewarding decisions you will make as a traveller in Thailand’s deep northeast. This is not Chiang Mai or Phuket. There are no coached tour groups queueing outside coffee shops, no inflated foreigner prices at the market, and no tuk-tuk drivers working the arrivals hall with laminated menus. What there is, is something far rarer: a living, breathing Thai provincial city that genuinely does not care whether you are there or not, and is all the more magnetic for it. All prices in this guide use a rate of 35 THB = $1 USD.
Ubon sits at the edge of the Emerald Triangle, the remote eastern corner of Isaan where Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia converge along the Mekong and Moon rivers. That geography shapes everything here, from the food to the festivals to the spiritual atmosphere that hangs in the air like temple incense. The city rewards slow travel, and the accommodation scene reflects that. Guesthouses are run by families. The boutique hotels that do exist were built by people who genuinely love Ubon, not by international chains chasing occupancy rates. Once you have stayed here, ordinary Thailand feels slightly loud.
Quick Answer: The Best Areas To Stay In Ubon Ratchathani
Best for First-Timers and Culture: Thung Si Muang City Centre (temples, night market, walkable streets). Rates from 500 to 2,500 THB (~$14 to $71) per night.
Best for Boutique and Creative Stays: Ratchabut Road and Old Town Core (Thai hipster concrete boutiques, riverside cafes, the Moon River). Rates from 800 to 3,500 THB (~$23 to $100) per night.
Best for Nature and Sunrise: Khong Chiam and Pha Taem Outskirts (Mekong eco-resorts, rock art cliff walks, Thailand’s earliest sunrise). Rates from 1,200 to 3,000 THB (~$34 to $86) per night.
Best Budget Option: Around the Train Station and Chayangkul Road (local guesthouses, easy airport access, zero tourist inflation). Rates from 350 to 1,200 THB (~$10 to $34) per night.
Entry Strategy: Ubon Ratchathani International Airport (UBP) is only 3 km from the city centre. A metered taxi to Thung Si Muang costs 80 to 120 THB (~$2.30 to $3.43). Book flights from Bangkok via AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, or Bangkok Airways. Use 12GO to lock in overnight train tickets from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong well before national holidays, as sleeper berths sell out weeks in advance.
Check the latest hotel prices across Ubon Ratchathani’s
most popular areas, including the City Centre, Ratchabut Road,
Chayangkul, and Khong Chiam, compare your options,
and find the best deals before you book.
Thung Si Muang City Centre: The Beating Heart
For most first-time visitors, the area around Thung Si Muang Park is the obvious and correct choice. Thung Si Muang is Ubon’s green lung: a large central park anchored by the iconic candle festival sculpture and ringed by temples, the national museum, and the city’s best walking street market. Stay here and you can do nearly everything on foot. Budget guesthouses start from around 500 THB (~$14) per night. Mid-range city hotels run 1,200 to 2,500 THB (~$34 to $71), with full-service properties like Centara Ubon (4-star, outdoor pool) sitting at the upper end of that range, around 1,500 to 2,000 THB (~$43 to $57) depending on season.
Highlights of the city centre area include:
- Thung Si Muang Park and the nightly street food market along its southern edge (from around 17:00 daily)
- Wat Phra That Nong Bua, Ubon’s most spectacular temple and the city’s spiritual landmark
- Ubon Ratchathani National Museum, one of the finest provincial museums in Thailand
- Walking distance to Central Plaza Ubon and local restaurants at 60 to 150 THB (~$1.70 to $4.30) per dish
- Easy songthaew access to all outer districts at 20 to 40 THB (~$0.57 to $1.15) per ride
If this is your first time in Isaan, staying here gives you an immediate sense of the city’s rhythm. Mornings begin with monks collecting alms at dawn. Evenings fill with the smells of grilled pork skewers and sticky rice from market stalls. To get oriented instantly, check Booking.com and Agoda side by side; both carry solid stock in this area with genuine guest reviews.
Ratchabut Road and the Old Town Core: Ubon’s Boutique Soul
Ratchabut Road and the surrounding old town streets represent Ubon at its most quietly compelling. This is where you find the concrete-and-rattan boutique hotels that have been designed with genuine intention, the kind of places where the owner has sourced local Isaan textiles for the headboards and uses a Doi Chaang pour-over setup in the lobby. The clientele is mostly Thai creatives, university lecturers, and the occasional sharp-eyed foreign traveller who has done their research. Rates run from 800 to 3,500 THB (~$23 to $100) per night, with the better design-led properties at 1,500 to 2,500 THB (~$43 to $71).
The Outside Inn is the property that long-term Ubon visitors talk about most: an American-Thai owned guesthouse restored from a pair of old buildings, with genuinely good food, cool rooms, and management that pays careful attention. It draws the kind of travellers who would otherwise avoid guesthouses entirely. The 28 Rachabutr Hostel nearby offers a homestay feel with Moon River views for backpackers who want social energy at a fraction of the cost. For the traveller who prefers something more polished, the Tohsang Heritage Ubon in this area brings high ceilings, a roofed heritage walkway, and a serious breakfast buffet.
Walking these streets in the morning, you will pass monks receiving alms at Wat Jaeng and schoolchildren in white-and-navy uniforms. Ratchabut Road itself runs close to the Moon River bank, and several small cafes have opened with terrace seating facing the water. This is the part of Ubon that makes remote workers who find it seriously consider changing their plans. Before setting up at any cafe for a long day of work, activate your NordVPN to protect your connection on shared networks, a habit worth keeping anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Khong Chiam and the Pha Taem Outskirts: Where the Mekong Begins the Day
About 75 km east of the city, the small riverside town of Khong Chiam sits at the confluence of the Mekong and the Moon rivers, the so-called Two Colour River, where the blue-green Mekong and the rust-brown Moon meet in a visible boundary line that looks like a painting. From Khong Chiam, Pha Taem National Park is a further 18 km north, a 340 sq km plateau of sheer cliffs, 3,000-year-old rock art, stone mushroom formations, and wildflower fields. The cliff edge at Pha Chanadai is where Thailand receives its very first rays of sunlight each morning, a fact that gives sunrise here a special, almost ceremonial quality.
Staying in or near Khong Chiam is a fundamentally different experience to the city. This is rustic eco-lodge territory. The Khong Chiam Orchid Riverside Resort offers ten bungalows with private balconies directly over the Mekong, exceptional food, and the kind of attentive management that earns it a 9.4 out of 10 rating from guests who make the trip. Rates run around 2,500 to 3,000 THB (~$71 to $86) per night. For something slightly more resort-focused, Tohsang Heritage Khongjiam provides 59 river-view rooms with a pool, a heritage bridge, and a strong breakfast buffet at similar nightly rates.
Budget travellers can choose from smaller guesthouses in Khong Chiam town itself at 600 to 1,200 THB (~$17 to $34) per night, or basic bungalows inside Pha Taem National Park at around 500 to 800 THB (~$14 to $23). The national park entry fee is 400 THB (~$11) for foreign visitors. Use Klook to arrange transfers from Ubon city if you are not hiring a car, as there is no reliable public transport covering the final stretch to the park.
Ubon Ratchathani Neighbourhood Price Guide:
| Area | Best For | Nightly Rate (THB) | Nightly Rate (USD) | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thung Si Muang City Centre | First-timers and Culture | 500 to 2,500 THB | ~$14 to $71 | Walkable and Central |
| Ratchabut Road / Old Town | Boutique Seekers and Nomads | 800 to 3,500 THB | ~$23 to $100 | Creative and River-Facing |
| Chayangkul Road / Train Station | Budget Travellers and Backpackers | 350 to 1,200 THB | ~$10 to $34 | Local and No-Frills |
| Khong Chiam Town | Nature Lovers and Slow Travellers | 600 to 1,500 THB | ~$17 to $43 | Quiet and Riverside |
| Pha Taem / Mekong Eco-Resorts | Couples and Eco Travellers | 1,200 to 3,000 THB | ~$34 to $86 | Serene and Spectacular |
Chayangkul Road: The Budget Traveller’s Anchor
Chayangkul Road and the area around Ubon Ratchathani’s train station is the city’s most transparent value pocket. There is no curated charm here, no Instagram backdrop or artisan coffee with oat milk. What there is, is honest Isaan hospitality, clean rooms, and rates that make most other destinations in Thailand look like they are trying too hard. Guesthouses start at 350 to 600 THB (~$10 to $17) per night. Small business hotels, including the Unya Hotel Ubon with its restaurant and local food options nearby, sit at 800 to 1,200 THB (~$23 to $34).
The train station itself makes this area particularly appealing for travellers arriving on the overnight service from Bangkok, a beautiful 10-hour journey that drops you in Ubon refreshed and ready to explore. Book sleeper berths well in advance through 12GO, especially in the months of October and November during the Candle Festival and Loi Krathong period. The B2 Ubon Airport Premier Hotel on Luang Road offers similarly lean rates for those on early morning flights, at around 750 to 900 THB (~$21 to $26) per night.
From Chayangkul, the city centre is 10 to 15 minutes by songthaew at 20 to 30 THB (~$0.57 to $0.86) per person, making the distance entirely manageable. For those who prefer a motorbike, rental agencies near the train station charge 200 to 300 THB (~$5.70 to $8.55) per day and open up every corner of the province. Before arriving, activate an Airalo, Yesim, or Saily eSIM prior to your flight: local apps like Grab for taxis, and map navigation in a city with minimal English street signage, require a live data connection the moment you clear the arrival doors.
The Ubon Candle Festival: When to Book Early
Ubon Ratchathani hosts the most spectacular Buddhist festival in the northeast: the Candle Festival, held every July on the eve of Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent). Enormous carved beeswax sculptures, some standing several metres tall, are paraded through the city to Thung Si Muang Park in a procession that draws tens of thousands of Thai visitors from across the country. This is not a tourist event engineered for foreigners; it is a deeply felt religious and cultural celebration, and witnessing it is one of the most moving experiences available anywhere in Thailand.
For festival week, hotel prices can double or triple across all areas of the city. Properties that normally sit at 1,500 THB (~$43) push to 3,500 to 4,500 THB (~$100 to $129) during peak nights. Book a minimum of two to three months in advance through Agoda or Booking.com, and prioritise properties within walking distance of Thung Si Muang Park. If you arrive without a booking, Welcome Pickups can arrange airport transfers so at least your transport is settled while you sort accommodation. During the rest of the year, walk-in rates are entirely reasonable and negotiating directly with guesthouse owners is both normal and welcomed.
The Breakdown: Specific Properties Worth Knowing
City Centre: The Polished Options
Centara Ubon is the city’s most reliable full-service hotel. Four stars, an outdoor pool, a restaurant with a strong breakfast buffet, and staff who understand international guest expectations. Rates sit around 1,500 to 2,000 THB (~$43 to $57) per night, with Agoda frequently offering 10 to 15% lower rates on mobile bookings than desktop. It is located on Jaeramae Road, within easy walking distance of the park and night market.
For Thai-hipster aesthetic at a lower price, the Rapeepan Ville Hotel and the newer Yuu Hotel and Cafe cater to the Thai creative crowd: minimal design, good espresso, and rooms at 900 to 1,500 THB (~$26 to $43) per night. The Tohsang Heritage Ubon is the most upscale in-city option, with heritage architecture, professional English-speaking receptionists, and a roofed bridge connecting its buildings at around 2,000 to 3,000 THB (~$57 to $86) per night.
The Mekong Fringe: Resorts Worth The Drive
For Khong Chiam, the Khong Chiam Orchid Riverside Resort is the property that comes up again and again in serious traveller reviews. Nine bungalows, a Mekong-facing terrace, and food that guests describe as among the best they have eaten in Thailand, at around 2,500 to 3,000 THB (~$71 to $86) per night. For something with more facilities, Tohsang Heritage Khongjiam has a pool, a wider room selection, and the heritage-brand quality that carries across the Tohsang group.
The Bluemoon Riverside Resort further along the river offers clean, well-reviewed rooms from around 1,200 THB (~$34) per night, rated 9.0 out of 10 by guests seeking honest comfort without the premium price. For experiences at Pha Taem itself, national park bungalows are bookable through the Royal Forestry Department. Use Get Your Guide or Klook for guided sunrise treks, rock art walking tours, and day trips from Ubon city that bundle transport and entry.
Pro Tips For a Stress-Free Stay:
Transport: Grab works in Ubon city, though availability is thinner than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Tuk-tuks are negotiated at 60 to 100 THB (~$1.70 to $2.85) for most city trips. For Khong Chiam and Pha Taem, hire a private driver for the day at 1,500 to 2,500 THB (~$43 to $71) or rent a motorbike for independence.
Connectivity: Activate your Airalo, Yesim, or Saily eSIM before landing so that the SMS verification for Grab and any maps apps goes through without delay. Alternatively, an AIS or DTAC SIM at the airport costs 300 to 500 THB (~$8.55 to $14.30) for a 30-day unlimited data package. Coverage in Khong Chiam and around Pha Taem is decent on AIS, though the cliff edge can drop to edge-level service.
Getting Here: Bangkok to Ubon by overnight train (Train 67 or 69 from Hua Lamphong, departing ~17:00 to 20:00) is a superb journey and one of Thailand’s best value sleeper experiences. Book through 12GO at least two weeks ahead for second-class air-conditioned sleepers at around 600 to 900 THB (~$17 to $26). If your flight is delayed on the way to Bangkok’s connection, AirHelp can assist with compensation claims for eligible EU and international routes.
Long Stays: Remote workers spending more than two weeks will find Ubon genuinely affordable. Monthly room rentals in the old town area start from 5,000 to 9,000 THB (~$143 to $257). Make sure SafetyWing travel insurance covers your stay; their nomad plan covers Isaan medical clinics and the nearest international-standard hospitals in Khon Kaen, about 3.5 hours west.
Ubon As Part of a Deeper Thailand Journey:
The most rewarding Thailand itineraries are the ones that place Ubon alongside destinations that provide a different kind of contrast. A week here after Phuket or Koh Samui will feel like stepping from a film set into the real country. After two weeks of beach life, the absence of beach vendors, sun-lounger booking wars, and overpriced cocktails is not a loss: it is a relief.
A practical Isaan loop might combine Ubon with Khon Kaen (4 hours west by bus, Thailand’s largest Isaan city, with excellent food markets and a strong expat community), Nong Khai (on the Mekong opposite Vientiane in Laos), and Si Saket (another hour west of Ubon, home to the extraordinary Prasat Khao Phra Viharn temple complex straddling the Cambodian border). Buses between these cities are frequent and cheap through Nakhonchai Air and other local operators; use 12GO to book tickets rather than turning up at the station during Songkran or Khao Phansa.
Flights from Ubon back to Bangkok (Don Mueang) run several times daily with AirAsia and Thai Lion Air at 600 to 2,000 THB (~$17 to $57) booked at least two weeks ahead. The journey transforms the region from a detour into a destination.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best area to stay in Ubon Ratchathani for a first-time visitor?
The area around Thung Si Muang Park is the best base for a first visit. The city’s main temples, the national museum, and the nightly street food market are all within walking distance. Mid-range hotels like Centara Ubon run 1,500 to 2,000 THB (~$43 to $57) per night. Budget guesthouses near the park start from around 500 to 800 THB (~$14 to $23). Most of what makes Ubon worth visiting is either here or a short songthaew ride away.
Is Ubon Ratchathani safe for solo travellers and female travellers?
Yes, consistently. Ubon is a quiet provincial capital with very low crime and a genuinely friendly local population. Solo female travellers report feeling comfortable walking alone at night in the city centre. Standard precautions apply: keep valuables out of sight, share your itinerary with someone, and use Grab or a hotel-arranged taxi rather than unmarked vehicles after dark. The city has a strong university presence which keeps the social atmosphere easy and youthful.
When is the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival and how far in advance should I book?
The Candle Festival falls on the eve of Khao Phansa, usually in mid to late July. It is one of the most visually extraordinary Buddhist festivals in Thailand and draws enormous Thai domestic crowds. Book accommodation a minimum of two to three months in advance for festival week. Prices can triple during peak nights. Properties within walking distance of Thung Si Muang Park are the most sought-after and sell out first.
How do I get from Ubon city to Pha Taem National Park and Khong Chiam?
Khong Chiam is approximately 75 km east of the city, about 1.5 hours by road. Pha Taem National Park is a further 18 km north of Khong Chiam along Route 2112. There is no reliable public transport on the final stretch to the park. The most practical options are: hire a private driver for the day (1,500 to 2,500 THB / ~$43 to $71), rent a motorbike (200 to 300 THB / ~$5.70 to $8.55 per day), or book a guided day trip through Klook or Get Your Guide from the city.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani?
The overnight train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station is both the cheapest and most enjoyable option. Second-class air-conditioned sleepers cost 600 to 900 THB (~$17 to $26) and the journey takes around 10 hours, arriving in the morning. Book via 12GO well in advance of national holidays when berths sell out. Budget flights from Don Mueang with AirAsia or Thai Lion Air run 600 to 2,000 THB (~$17 to $57) booked at least two weeks ahead. Buses from Bangkok’s Mo Chit terminal take 9 to 11 hours at 500 to 700 THB (~$14 to $20).
Does Grab work in Ubon Ratchathani?
Yes, but with fewer drivers than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Grab works best in the city centre and near the airport. For quieter areas and outer districts, a local tuk-tuk or hotel-arranged songthaew is more reliable. Activate your mobile data before landing: Grab and Google Maps both require network access to function at the airport arrivals hall, so loading an Airalo, Yesim, or Saily eSIM before departure saves time at the baggage carousel.
What is the best time of year to visit Ubon Ratchathani?
November to February is the most comfortable time: temperatures drop to a pleasant 20 to 28°C, skies are clear, and the wildflowers around Pha Taem are in full bloom. July is spectacular if you can handle the heat (32 to 36°C) and want to experience the Candle Festival. Avoid March to May, which is the hot dry season with temperatures regularly exceeding 38°C. The rainy season from June to October brings lush green scenery but can make Pha Taem trails slippery.
Are there good options for remote workers and digital nomads in Ubon?
Yes, though Ubon requires a more self-sufficient approach than Chiang Mai. The city has several good cafes with reliable fibre Wi-Fi, particularly around the university area and Ratchabut Road. Monthly room rentals in the old town start from 5,000 to 9,000 THB (~$143 to $257). There is no dedicated coworking space as of mid-2026, but cafe culture is welcoming of laptop workers. Always use NordVPN on cafe and guesthouse networks. For medical coverage across Isaan, SafetyWing’s nomad plan is worth activating.
What is Pha Taem National Park famous for and how much does it cost to enter?
Pha Taem is famous for three things: Thailand’s easternmost sunrise point (the cliff at Pha Chanadai is where the country’s first morning light lands each day), prehistoric rock paintings estimated to be up to 3,000 years old depicting giant catfish, elephants, and geometric designs, and unusual stone mushroom formations called Sao Chaliang scattered across the plateau. Entry costs 400 THB (~$11) for foreign adults and 200 THB (~$5.70) for children. The park is open daily from 06:00 to 18:00.
Is it worth staying in Khong Chiam rather than Ubon city?
Yes, if your main reason for visiting the region is nature, the Mekong, or Pha Taem National Park. Staying in Khong Chiam means you can reach the park for sunrise without a 1.5-hour drive from the city. It also means waking up to Mekong river views and total quiet. Resorts like Khong Chiam Orchid Riverside Resort run 2,500 to 3,000 THB (~$71 to $86) per night with exceptional food and service. Budget guesthouses in town start from 600 THB (~$17). Combine two nights in Khong Chiam with two or three nights in Ubon city for a complete picture of the region.
