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.
Route, sights and going on to Loei ↓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 is now four lanes the whole way. 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
Distances are approximate and 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 pick-up and return daily 07:30–19:00 at lane A3, opposite Door 2. Before 07:30 or after 19:00 it's ฿500 per handover.
- In Udon city: hotel delivery ฿350, free on rentals of 7+ days. On 7+ day rentals we can also deliver to Nong Bua Lamphu at ฿30/km each way.
Going on to Loei
- On rentals of 1–7 days you may drive 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 from Udon to nearest, plus two tips. Opening hours can change, so check before you go.
Erawan Cave (Wat Tham Erawan), Na Wang
A cave temple in a limestone mountain shaped like a crouching elephant, which is why locals call it Tham Chang, the Elephant Cave. More than 600 steps lead up to a large Buddha image at the cave mouth. Inside is a huge cavern with stalactites, and the views stretch far across the rice fields. It's about 45 km west of town on Highway 210 and open in the daytime, roughly 08:30–16:30.
King Naresuan the Great Shrine
A group of Thai-style pavilions beside Nong Bua pond, in a park in the town centre on Pho Chai Road. According to local history, King Naresuan's army camped at Nong Bua during its 1574 campaign to Lan Xang (Vientiane). Local people come here regularly to pay their respects, and the path around the pond makes a pleasant short walk.
Wat Tham Klong Phen
The province's best-known forest temple, where the revered meditation master Luang Pu Khao Analayo once practised. The shady grounds have unusual rock formations, a statue of Luang Pu Khao and an old double-headed 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 makes it easy to take relatives and luggage along.
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. The main route is Highway 210 through Nong Bua Lamphu, 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 19:00 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 19:00 Return the car at the airport.
Example: Toyota Vios, 2 days, airport pick-up & return between 07:30 and 19:00
- ฿990 × 2 days
- ฿1,980
- Airport delivery & return
- Free
- CDW insurance (excess ฿3,000–10,000)
- Included
- Rental total
- ฿1,980
- 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: ฿1,390/day). Booking deposit ฿500–5,000 by transfer; the rest on pick-up day. We confirm the final price before any booking deposit.
Timings are approximate. Documents, deposits and all delivery fees are in our rental terms.
Daily rates include CDW and airport delivery
All automatic. Prices shown are the daily rate for a 2+ day rental starting tomorrow (1-day rentals usually cost more per day); longer rentals that run into a new season can cost more. Prices also change on long weekends and at festivals. Pick your dates in the form above to see an estimate.
- 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
-
Isuzu D-Max Automatic
- 5 seats
- Cargo bed
- 2.5L diesel
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 Google review, Mar 2026, translated from Thai
“Very good service and nice cars; I've become a regular customer.”
Jubjang Google review, Jul 2026, translated from Thai
“The car drove really well, and it was a new one. Excellent service, recommended; I'll rent again next time.”
Ornuma Google review, Apr 2026, translated from Thai
“Great service, the car was in very good condition and easy to drive. I recommend them.”
Nina Google review, May 2026, translated from Thai
“Very friendly staff. Smooth pick-up and return. Good price and a well-kept car. Highly recommended!”
Patrick Google review, Jan 2026, 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 07:30–19:00) 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?
The 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. On rentals of 1–7 days you may drive 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?
You can return the car at Udon Thani Airport or at a place in Udon city agreed with us. If you'd like to return it somewhere else, please ask us before booking. Returns before 07:30 or after 19:00 cost ฿500.
Send us your landing time and we'll have your car ready for Nong Bua Lamphu
We confirm the car and price before any booking deposit. No payment now.
Written by the O Car Rent team, last updated 26 Sep 2026