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Advice needed. Bangkok-->Laos
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kif
longtail driver
Posts: 8
This autumn i'll visit Laos&Cambodia. (from north to south)
What is the best option for travelling to northern Laos when departing from Bangkok over land? Luang Prabang and Vientiane are on my to do list.
Train to Chiang Mai --> over land to Luang prabang --> Vientiane --> south Laos
or
Train to Nong Khai --> Vientiane --> Luang prabang --> southern Laos
Regards,
K.
#1 Posted: 2/7/2010 - 14:40
Captain_Bob
under-employed
Posts: 950
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Via Chiang Mai makes more sense if you're then headed south. Very popular route, direct aircon bus (830am) to Chiang Khong (or minivans 10am&Noon daily from town) stay one night either side (Chiang Khong and Huay Xai have plenty of basic guesthouses) border hours 8am-6pm Laos visa on arrival $30-35 (Canadians $42) then bus to Luang Prabang 12hrs, slowboat 2 days (sleep in Pakbeng) or speedboat 6hrs. All this info is available in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, or the border. Do it yourself or book a package deal.
#2 Posted: 2/7/2010 - 15:21
Tilapia
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Or you could take a bus straight from Bangkok to Chiang Khong and skip Chiangmai.
#3 Posted: 2/7/2010 - 18:50
kif
longtail driver
Posts: 8
Thanks for the fast replies!
It seems logic starting north when travelling from north to south.
My concern are the distances and travelling times.
(24 days for Bankok-->Laos-->Cambodia-->Bangkok)
When I look at this map the route via Chiang Mai seems much longer.
Is this correct?
url: http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/1690/laos.jpg
#4 Posted: 5/7/2010 - 17:03
Tilapia
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If time is important, and you aren't concerned about seeing much of Thailand, then your best option would be to go by plane from Bangkok to Chiangrai, then bus to Chiang Khong (about 3 hours. But if you want to go overland, then you should take the bus from Bangkok's Morchit Terminal (the Northern Bus Terminal) direct to Chiang Khong.
Going to Chiangmai first would take you further west than you need to go.
#5 Posted: 6/7/2010 - 00:27