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Red Lotus Sea, Udon Thani: How to Get There, Boat Prices & Best Time (2026–27)

A lake carpeted with pink lotus flowers, about 53 km from Udon Thani. Here is everything you need for a morning boat trip.

Red Lotus Sea (Talay Bua Daeng)
Photo: ToeHA, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

Season
About mid-December to February. The 2026–27 season officially opens on 12 December 2026.
Best time of day
06:00–10:00. The flowers close up around midday.
Boat trip
About 1–1.5 hours, priced per boat, not per person.
Distance
53 km from Udon Thani city, about 49 min by car.

Boat prices 2026–27

  • Small boat

    ฿400

    per boat

    Up to 2 people

  • Large boat

    ฿600

    per boat

    Up to 6 people

  • Electric boat

    ฿800

    per boat

    Quiet, no engine fumes

New prices for the 2026–27 season, the first rise in almost 20 years. Pay at the Ban Diam pier ticket counter.

When to go

  1. Nov

    Few flowers yet

  2. Dec

    Season opens

  3. Jan

    Peak bloom

  4. Feb

    Still good

  5. Mar

    Season over

How to get there

  • Car, taxi or Grab (easiest)

    • About 49 min from Udon Thani city to Ban Diam pier in Kumphawapi district.
    • Leave around 05:30 to reach the lake for sunrise. Ask your driver to wait, as Grab cars are hard to find out there.

  • Tour with hotel pickup

    • Many hotels and agencies in Udon run morning trips with transport and the boat included.
    • Often combined with Ban Chiang, the UNESCO site, in the afternoon.

  • Local bus or van

    • Buses and vans run from Udon Thani to Kumphawapi town, but there is no regular service to the pier itself.
    • From town you need a local tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi, and an early start is hard this way.
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Tips

  • Weekdays are much quieter than weekends and the New Year holidays.
  • Bring a hat, sunscreen and a light jacket: mornings on the lake can be chilly.
  • Please don't pick the flowers or lean out of the boat.
  • Make it a day: add Ban Chiang in the afternoon, or stay a night near the lake.

Prices and dates from the Ban Diam boat group and TAT announcements, checked October 2026. They can change.

Red Lotus & Ban Chiang day route →Ban Chiang guideOpening days · Tickets · What to see

Where to stay

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Red Lotus Sea FAQ

When is the Red Lotus Sea in bloom?

Roughly from mid-December to February, with the best bloom usually in January. The 2026–27 season officially opens on 12 December 2026. Go between 06:00 and 10:00, because the flowers close around midday.

How much is the boat at the Red Lotus Sea?

For the 2026–27 season: 400 THB for a small boat (up to 2 people), 600 THB for a large boat (up to 6 people) and 800 THB for an electric boat. Prices are per boat.

How do I get to the Red Lotus Sea from Udon Thani?

Drive or take a taxi to Ban Diam pier in Kumphawapi district: about 53 km, around 49 min. Public transport only reaches Kumphawapi town, so a car, a driver or a tour is easiest.

How long is the boat trip?

About 1 to 1.5 hours on the lake, with stops for photos among the lotus.

Can I combine the Red Lotus Sea with other places?

Yes. Ban Chiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, makes an easy afternoon stop on the same day. See our Red Lotus & Ban Chiang route for drive times.