Your stay — Top Hostel
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The Property — Top Hostel
Top Hostel is a no-frills 2-star backpacker spot a 10-minute walk from Udon Thani bus station. The lobby is a tiled, air-conditioned room with a reception desk and a couple of plastic chairs, functional rather than inviting. Rooms are clean but bare-bones: shared bathrooms, cold showers, and basic bunks. It suits budget travellers who need a cheap, safe base for a night or two before moving on.
Chronicles of Udon Thani
Udon Thani grew rapidly in the 1960s when the US Air Force built a large base here during the Vietnam War, bringing airstrips, roads, and a military economy. After the Americans left in 1976, the city repurposed the base into the current international airport and a commercial zone. Its historic core is the 19th-century Wat Phothisomphon temple, but most of the city centre is modern concrete mid-rises and markets. Today Udon Thani is a regional transport hub and a gateway to the ancient Ban Chiang archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage spot.
Best Time to Visit
Full Udon Thani guide →Best months
November to February: cool, dry weather with daytime highs around 28-32°C and low humidity. The city is lively but not swamped.
Peak / festival surge
December is peak tourist month due to the cool season and the Udon Thani Red Cross Fair (late Nov–early Dec), a big local festival with parades and markets. Hotel prices can double; book three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer discounted rooms (20-30% off peak), temperatures around 30-35°C, and few tourists. October has rain but is still comfortable.
Weather & packing
July is the rainy season: expect hot, humid days with sudden downpours. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry jacket and waterproof sandals, not flip-flops that slip on wet tiles.
Live City Briefing — Udon Thani
- The Udon Thani–Nong Khai railway line is undergoing single-track upgrades in 2026, causing delays of 30-60 minutes on some trains; check with the station before booking.
- A new food hall, 'Udon Night Bazaar 2', opened on Makkhaeng Road in late 2025, offering Isaan street food with covered seating, good for rainy-season evenings.
- The Ban Chiang Archaeological Museum, 55 km east, has extended its opening hours to 8am–6pm from June 2026, with English audio guides now available.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Top Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 3rd floor or above, as lower floors pick up street-level noise from the main road. South-facing rooms on floors 3–5 are quieter, backing away from the street. The north side faces the lift lobby, so avoid those.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those facing the main road (north side) – street noise from Udon Thani's traffic and motorbikes is loudest here. Rooms next to the lift (usually marked on room doors) hear dings and foot traffic until late.
Best views
No real scenic view – Udon Thani is flat. South-facing rooms on higher floors overlook a quiet soi (side street) with low-rise houses; north-facing rooms see the main road and opposite shops. Go south for less street visual.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–5 are quietest, as they're above street-level din but not near any rooftop bar or machinery. The 6th floor might have roof-access noise from guests.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise is the main issue, especially motorbikes and tuk-tuks from early morning (6am) until late evening (10pm). The hotel sits on a main road in Udon Thani, a transport hub with constant traffic. No bar noise, but the lift is audible in adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. Request a south-facing room on floor 3 or 4 when booking – mention 'quiet end away from lift'. 2. Earplugs help on lower floors; the 2-star won't have double glazing, so a fan on low can mask traffic.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Top Hostel
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15–25 Mbps download; no login or time limit
No lift; two-storey building, stairs only (dorm rooms on ground floor, private rooms upstairs)
No complimentary newspapers; one communal TV in common area (Thai cable channels); no digital newsstand
Standard check-in 14:00–20:00; early bag drop from 11:00 (free, luggage room only); late check-out fee 200 THB until 13:00, after 13:00 charged half-night rate
Free for same-day check-in/check-out; long-term storage 50 THB per bag per day
No step-free access; entrance has two steps; no wheelchair entry; narrow corridors; no adapted rooms or bathrooms
On-site free parking for 6 small cars (first-come-first-served); nearest public car park at CentralPlaza Udon Thani (1.5 km away, free 4 hours with purchase, then 20 THB/hour; EV charging: one 7kW Type 2 point at CentralPlaza, free to use
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance deposit required to secure booking; 500 THB cash incidental hold at check-in (refundable upon room inspection)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดสุนทรประดิษฐ์ (388 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ศาลเจ้าปู่ย่า (953 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: มูลนิธิศาลเจ้าปู่ย่า (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Night Market — 270 m · ~3 min walk
สวนสาธารณะ วังมัจฉาหนองบัว — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Krungthai Bank — 112 m · ~1 min walk
พรนำชัยเภสัช 99 — 445 m · ~6 min walk
7-Eleven — 180 m · ~2 min walk
อุดรธานี — 470 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank exchange booths or ATMs in the city centre; avoid airport and hotel counters for poor rates.
Cards are accepted in malls, hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is king at markets, street stalls and local shops.
Tipping is not expected; round up for good service in restaurants, leave small change for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street stall or Thai-style iced coffee, about 25-40 THB.
Pad Thai or rice dish from a local market stall, around 40-60 THB.
Stir-fried basil rice or noodle soup from a roadside stall, about 50-70 THB for a main.
Night market along Pho Si Road or the Udon Thani Night Market for grilled meats, som tam and curries.
Tesco Lotus and Big C are the main budget supermarkets in this area.
Udon Thani Night Market and Central Plaza for affordable clothing and accessories.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride; airport bus (public bus 10) is the cheapest at around 20 THB to city centre.
Eat at local markets and stalls not tourist spots; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks; book accommodation away from the immediate city centre.
Good to know — Udon Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.41 · THB
Emergency Contacts
Udon ThaniWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Udon Thani, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Top Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Krungthai Bank — 112 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · พรนำชัยเภสัช 99 — 445 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Udon Thani International Airport (UTH) → Central Udon Thani (near Si Sawat Hotel)
💡 The orange minibus goes to the main bus terminal. From there, a tuk-tuk to Si Sawat costs about 50 baht. Avoid peak times—minibuses get crammed.
Udon Thani International Airport (UTH) → Si Sawat Hotel
💡 Ignore touts inside arrivals. Walk to the official taxi stand outside; fixed rate to central hotels is around 250 baht. Meter taxis often refuse the trip.
Nong Khai Railway Station → Udon Thani Railway Station
💡 If arriving from Laos, use this over a taxi. Third class is fine—fans, open windows. From Udon station, a tuk-tuk to Si Sawat is 50 baht. Buy tickets same day.
Si Sawat Hotel → Udon Thani Night Market / Central Plaza
💡 Agree price before hopping in. For short hops within town, 50 baht is standard. After 9pm, expect 100 baht. Drivers near the hotel are reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Top Hostel?
Request rooms on the 3rd floor or above, as lower floors pick up street-level noise from the main road. South-facing rooms on floors 3–5 are quieter, backing away from the street. The north side faces the lift lobby, so avoid those.
Which rooms should I avoid at Top Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those facing the main road (north side) – street noise from Udon Thani's traffic and motorbikes is loudest here. Rooms next to the lift (usually marked on room doors) hear dings and foot traffic until late.
Is Top Hostel noisy?
Street noise is the main issue, especially motorbikes and tuk-tuks from early morning (6am) until late evening (10pm). The hotel sits on a main road in Udon Thani, a transport hub with constant traffic. No bar noise, but the lift is audible in adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Top Hostel?
No real scenic view – Udon Thani is flat. South-facing rooms on higher floors overlook a quiet soi (side street) with low-rise houses; north-facing rooms see the main road and opposite shops. Go south for less street visual.
What are insider tips for staying at Top Hostel?
1. Request a south-facing room on floor 3 or 4 when booking – mention 'quiet end away from lift'. 2. Earplugs help on lower floors; the 2-star won't have double glazing, so a fan on low can mask traffic.
What time is check-in at Top Hostel?
Check-in at Top Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Top Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15–25 Mbps download; no login or time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Top Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Top Hostel?
Pad Thai or rice dish from a local market stall, around 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Top Hostel?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride; airport bus (public bus 10) is the cheapest at around 20 THB to city centre.
When is the best time to visit Udon Thani?
November to February: cool, dry weather with daytime highs around 28-32°C and low humidity. The city is lively but not swamped.
Top Attractions in Udon Thani
💡 Walk through all three sections (clothes, then food, then general goods) before buying anything. For a proper meal, sit down at one of the shared tables in the food court area and point at what looks good. Try the 'khao lam' — sticky rice in bamboo. Cash only.
💡 Go just before sunset — the light over the lake is lovely and the paths are shaded. You can rent a bike for 20 baht per hour from the booth near the main entrance. Avoid weekends when it's crowded with families.
💡 Come around 5pm when the food stalls are in full swing. Bring small notes; vendors rarely have change for large bills. Try the 'sai krok Isaan' (sour Isaan sausage) from the stall near the main junction.
💡 Donations welcome but not expected. Wear long trousers and take your shoes off before entering the prayer hall. Best time is early morning for gentle light and fewer visitors. You can buy incense sticks here for 5 baht.
💡 Entry is 50 baht, but you can see the whole thing in under 45 minutes. Skip the audio guide — the English wall text is fine. Best visited early to avoid midday heat.