Nong Bua Lamphu Car Rental
Nong Bua Lamphu lies on Highway 210, the road from Udon Thani towards Loei. Its best-known sights, like Erawan Cave and the shell fossil museum, are spread out along that road, so a car is by far the easiest way to see them. Collect yours free at Udon Thani Airport.
- ~1 hto Nong Bua Lamphu town, about 45–55 km
- Freepick-up & return at Udon Airport
- ฿750per day, 2+ days
Highway 210, south-west from Udon
Highway 210 starts at the Udon Thani ring road and runs south-west through Nong Wua So to Nong Bua Lamphu, then on through Na Wang to Wang Saphung in Loei province, about 120 km in all. It has been widened to four lanes along its length. O Car Rent is a car rental company in Udon Thani; we have no branch in Nong Bua Lamphu, so customers pick up in Udon and drive this road.
Distances along Highway 210
- Airport → Nong Bua Lamphu
- about 45–55 km · ~1 h
- Town → Erawan Cave
- about 45 km west
- Udon → Wang Saphung (Loei)
- about 120 km
- Udon → Chiang Khan
- about 190 km · ~3 h
Approximate, and they depend on where you pick up. Wat Tham Klong Phen is right on Highway 210, about 13 km before Nong Bua Lamphu town.
Getting the car
- At Udon Thani Airport: free delivery and return daily 07:00–20:30 at lane A3, opposite Door 1. Before 07:00 or after 20:30: +฿500 per handover.
- In Udon city: hotel delivery ฿350, free on rentals of 7+ days. Delivery to Nong Bua Lamphu is possible on 7+ day rentals at ฿30/km each way.
Going on to Loei
- Rentals of 1–7 days may be driven in Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei, so a loop to Chiang Khan or Phu Ruea needs no special permission.
- Past Wang Saphung the roads into Loei's hills get steeper and curvier; allow extra time.
- Rental cars may not be taken into Laos.
What to see along Highway 210
Four sights, listed from furthest to nearest Udon, plus two tips. Opening hours can change, so please check before you go.
Erawan Cave (Wat Tham Erawan), Na Wang
A cave temple in a limestone mountain that locals say looks like a crouching elephant. More than 600 steps climb to a large seated Buddha at the cave mouth, a huge cavern with stalactites, and wide views over the rice fields. About 45 km west of town on Highway 210; open in the daytime, roughly 08:30–16:30.
King Naresuan the Great Shrine
A group of Thai-style pavilions beside Nong Bua pond and park in the town centre. According to local history, King Naresuan's army camped at Nong Bua during its 1574 campaign to Lan Xang (Vientiane). Locals come to pay respects; the park around the pond is pleasant for a short walk.
Wat Tham Klong Phen
The province's famous forest temple, where the revered meditation master Luang Pu Khao Analayo lived. Leafy grounds with unusual rock formations, a statue of Luang Pu Khao and an old two-sided drum. It's on Highway 210 about 13 km from town towards Udon, an easy stop in either direction.
150-Million-Year Shell Fossil Museum, Non Than
Fossilised freshwater shells from the Jurassic period, around 140–150 million years old, plus dinosaur fossils and models. About 25 km north of Nong Bua Lamphu town, signposted from Highway 210; open daily about 08:30–16:30, with a small entrance fee.
A slower pace than Udon
Nong Bua Lamphu is a small provincial town with rice fields and forested hills around it. Visiting family here? A 7-seater or a pickup helps with relatives and luggage.
Heading to Chiang Khan?
Chiang Khan's wooden shophouses, evening walking street and the sunrise mist at Phu Thok are about 190 km from Udon. Highway 210 through Nong Bua Lamphu is the natural way there, so Erawan Cave makes a good first stop.
Or call +66 84 408 0443 · LINE @ocarrent · Renting 7+ days and want the car in Nong Bua Lamphu? Send us the address.
A day in Nong Bua Lamphu, or two days on to Loei
Both plans start and end at Udon Thani Airport. Go to Erawan Cave first: the climb is much easier before the midday heat.
Day trip (about 3.5 h driving)
- 07:30 Pick up at the airport, drive Highway 210 west (about 1 h 40 min).
- 09:15 Erawan Cave: allow about 1.5 h for the steps and the cave.
- 11:30 Back east to Nong Bua Lamphu town for lunch.
- 13:00 King Naresuan Shrine and Nong Bua pond.
- 14:00 Wat Tham Klong Phen.
- 15:00 Shell fossil museum, before it closes around 16:30.
- 17:00 Drive back to Udon, about 1 h. Return by 20:30 at no charge.
Two days: Nong Bua Lamphu → Loei → Chiang Khan
- Day 1, 07:30 Pick up, drive to Erawan Cave (arrive about 09:15).
- Day 1, 11:00 Continue west on Highway 210 to Wang Saphung, then north through Loei to Chiang Khan (about 2 h), with a lunch stop on the way.
- Day 1, evening Chiang Khan walking street by the Mekong.
- Day 2, dawn Sunrise and mist at Phu Thok, then breakfast in town.
- Day 2, 10:00 Drive back towards Udon (about 3 h). Stop at the King Naresuan Shrine or the fossil museum (open until about 16:30).
- Day 2, by 20:30 Return at the airport.
Example: Toyota Vios, 2 days, airport pick-up & return within opening hours
- ฿890 × 2 days
- ฿1,780
- Airport delivery & return
- Free
- CDW insurance (excess ฿10,000)
- Included
- Rental total
- ฿1,780
- Cash deposit at pick-up
- ฿3,000 (refunded)
- Optional SCDW (excess ฿0)
- +฿500 (฿250 × 2)
- Out-of-hours pick-up or return
- +฿500 each
Rate for 2+ days (1 day: ฿1,190/day). Booking deposit ฿500–5,000 by transfer; the rest on pick-up day. We confirm the final price before any deposit.
Timings are approximate. Documents, deposits and all delivery fees are in our rental terms.
Daily rates include CDW and airport delivery
All automatic. Card prices are for 2+ days (1-day rentals cost more per day).
- Day trip for 1–2 → Suzuki Celerio
- Couples, small families → Toyota Vios / Honda City
- Visiting family, 5–7 people → 7-seaters
- On to Loei's hills → SUVs
What customers say · 4.9/5 on Google
“Easy car rental in Udon. I booked a 4-seater, but as it wasn't ready they upgraded me to a 7-seater. Impressed; I'll be back.”
Panatsaya · Mar 2026 · Google · translated from Thai
“Very good service and nice cars; I've become a regular customer.”
Jubjang · Jul 2026 · Google · translated from Thai
“The car drove really well, and it was a new one. Excellent service, recommended; I'll rent again next time.”
Ornuma · Apr 2026 · Google · translated from Thai
“Great service, the car was in very good condition and easy to drive. I recommend them.”
Nina · May 2026 · Google · translated from Thai
“Very friendly staff. Smooth pick-up and return. Good price and a well-kept car. Highly recommended!”
Patrick · Jan 2026 · Google · translated from German
Nong Bua Lamphu car rental FAQ
Do you have a branch in Nong Bua Lamphu?
No. We're based in Udon Thani. Most customers pick up at Udon Thani International Airport (free, daily 07:00–20:30) and drive about an hour on Highway 210. On rentals of 7+ days we can deliver to Nong Bua Lamphu at ฿30/km each way.
How far is Nong Bua Lamphu from Udon Thani Airport?
About 45–55 km to the town, roughly 1 hour on Highway 210. Erawan Cave is about 45 km further west.
What's the best time to visit Erawan Cave?
Morning. The cave is open in the daytime, roughly 08:30–16:30, and the 600+ steps are hard work in the afternoon heat. Wear shoes with grip, dress modestly for the temple and bring water.
Can I combine Nong Bua Lamphu with Loei or Chiang Khan?
Yes. Rentals of 1–7 days may be driven in Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei, as well as Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom and Khon Kaen. Highway 210 continues from Nong Bua Lamphu to Wang Saphung in Loei. See the two-day plan above.
Which car should I choose for Highway 210?
Any of our cars is fine on Highway 210, which is four lanes to Wang Saphung. If you're continuing into Loei's hills (Phu Ruea, Chiang Khan) with a full car, an SUV such as the Toyota Fortuner is the most relaxed choice.
Can I return the car in Nong Bua Lamphu?
Returns are at Udon Thani Airport or an agreed place in Udon. If you'd like to return elsewhere, please ask us before booking. Returns before 07:00 or after 20:30 cost ฿500.
Send us your landing time, we'll have your car for Nong Bua Lamphu ready
We confirm the car and price before any deposit. No payment now.
Information by the O Car Rent team · last updated 26 Sep 2026