The Station – Backpackers Accommodation in Udon Thani
Backpackers in Thailand have a huge range of cheap accommodation to choose from with low grade hotels and apartment blocks offering rooms for as little as 200 baht a night. There are also small guest houses and hostels which throw their hat into the market ring with even lower room rates than that.
This coming Tuesday (November 1st), Udon Thani’s number one rated bar, the Irish Clock, will take off its Irish tweed cap and toss it into the ring with a novel style of accommodation for backpackers in Udon Thani called The Station. Earlier this month I was invited along to the Irish Clock to view The Station as it neared its completion.
If you have ever travelled on an overnight sleeper train in Thailand then The Station’s theme, pictured above, will be a familiar one to you. The concept is simple, two train carriage style compartments sit side by side each with a row of one up, one down bunk beds offering backpackers cheap accommodation in Udon Thani. The city is 50 kilometres from Nong Khai and is a favourite stop off point for backpackers travelling to and from Laos via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai.
The Station is part of the Irish Clock complex and houses 14 overnight beds with privacy curtains, overhead fans, communal showers, toilets, 24 hour security, TV and free Wi-Fi internet. And it’s only 150 baht ($5 US) a night to get your head on a bed with the added comfort of knowing you are sleeping in secure surroundings.
The Station is a gentle five-minute stroll from Udon Thani’s train station and a similar distance from the central bus station and is in the heart of Udon Thani’s nightlife area in Sampantamit Road.
I think The Station is a unique idea and one which offers safe and secure low cost accommodation for backpackers in Udon Thani. I’m sure it’s going to be a big hit with backpackers looking for peace of mind and a good night’s sleep on their travels.
The photographs attached to this post were taken during the structural stage of The Station.
Martyn, that 150 baht per night is fabulously cheap. Now I know where to send young house guests when they get hungry for a bit of larking around (all without touching me up for a loan).
Catherine – Five dollars for a decent night’s sleep is excellent value and Udon is an ideal stopping off point for backpackers heading for Laos. Udon’s nightlife is far better than Nong Khai’s and I think The Station could do rather well from gap year rucksack students.
This is a really interesting concept, and an original one as far as I know. I would be tempted to want to look out the window every now and again to see whether we had reached Si Sa Ket yet. I like the turn your blog has taken towards travel info, too. Hope there will be more of these, but don’t forget to write about the wonderful Wi now and again.
Lawrence – You are right about the turn to my blog. I’m trying to put together more informative posts about travel and especially Udon Thani. I’m trying to promote the city and province as a decent holiday destination and I have one or two more Udon posts up my sleeve.
The Station is, as far as I know, an original concept and one which I’m sure if word gets about will take off quite nicely.
Martyn,
This looks to be a very nice option for those seeking cheap housing for the night or a few days. Good job promoting Udon Thani as well. As for me the cheaper accommodation will always be a family farm…comes complete with great food and cold showers, and odd smells.
Talen it’s nice housing in a very nice house (The Irish Clock). Hopefully it will add a few more travellers to a city which is currently in need of them.
I am trying to promote Udon Thani. I have a few more pro Udon posts to write but unfortunately the city doesn’t have much in the way of daytime attractions. You need to put juice in the car to do that.
Do the odd smells come with the cold shower?
What a unique place to stay at! But hey, if you are constantly on the move, this is so convenient! Little and cheap for one night’s stay, could not get any better!