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Lou_Leeds
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Hi,
can anyone tell me the best route from Bangkok to Laos?
Thanks
#1 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 03:23
whardy
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Highway 2. If that doesn't help, find a travel agent in Bangkok and tell them you want to go to Laos. Easy as can be.
#2 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 03:57
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caseyprich
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Depends on where in Laos you want to go. Vientiane - you can catch a train to Nong Khai and then cross over the border. For Southern Laos (Pakse) take the train to Ubon Ratchatani and then a bus a few hours across the border direct to Pakse. If you want to buy tickets in advance or get more information on train routes:
www.seat61.com
#3 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 05:39
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千里之行，始于足下
MADMAC
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Define best. Best in terms of speed and comfort - fly. Second best isn't even a close second. You can fly to Savankhet, Paxse, Vientiane and Luang Prabang (maybe more I don't know about).
#4 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 05:48
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Victory in Pattani
caseyprich
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i can vouch that i didn't enjoy the sleeper bus from Muk to BKK - the train from BKK to UR was pleasant - and I enjoy the BKK train station
#5 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 06:04
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千里之行，始于足下
MADMAC
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The bus just blows. I'm not sure I would "enjoy" the train, but I suspect it sucks less than the bus. But if you can afford to fly - fly.
#6 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 10:13
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Victory in Pattani
Lou_Leeds
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Won't be flying. I'm not on a tight budget but still have to limit myself. Vientiane is where I will be going. If i'm getting the train from Bangkok to Nong Khai do you know if I can sort my visa in Nong Khai?
#7 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 10:37
whardy
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Visa on arrival at the border. No problems there. Make sure you bring 35(36 on weekends) US dollars, it makes it cheaper than paying in Thai baht.
#8 Posted: 23/11/2011 - 20:51
MADMAC
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If you can afford it take the train (it's not much cheaper than flying to Udon though). The bus really sucks - a lot.
#9 Posted: 24/11/2011 - 09:10
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Lou_Leeds
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well from the info on seat 61 1st class on the train will only be about $26. I'll have been on a 16hour flight not long before so i'll skip the bus I think!!
#10 Posted: 24/11/2011 - 09:39
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altmtl
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I plan to take the night train from BK to UR... spend a night a two then head to Pakse...
#11 Posted: 24/11/2011 - 09:51
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Captain_Bob
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Agree train is the more relaxing way to go (Bangkok - Nong Khai). As seen on the Seat61 site a 1st class cabin goes for 1317 baht (almost as much as a flight to Udon but hey the train can be more relaxing than messing with airports and transfers, and you get to check the scenery en route during daylight). Also note that is for a twin-share cabin, but for 500b more you get it all to yourself.
Also, avoid the temptation to get the train to Thanaleng station on the Laos side. Waste of time just to go a few extra km across the Friendship bridge, and then your faced with very limited options for getting into Vientiane 25km away. Better to get off at Nong Khai and do the bridge via 20 baht frequent bus then 50 baht bus into the city.
#12 Posted: 24/11/2011 - 10:10
MADMAC
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I have to admit, one of the best traveling experiences I ever had was the train from Nairobiu to Mombassa. It was a glorious ride in an old style car that was comfortable, I was in the company of a truly lovely lady, and the scenery and food were excellent. Got to Mombassa and went down to Tiwi beach, stayed in a bungalow sitting on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. The entire experience was just magnificent.
#13 Posted: 24/11/2011 - 22:07
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Victory in Pattani
sayadian
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Madmac:
where in Laos is Mombassa and Nairobi?
I already know that Somalia is a Jangwat of Isan.
#14 Posted: 25/11/2011 - 01:10
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money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
MADMAC
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God if only it were Sayadian - I miss Somalia so much it hurts.
OK, so Lou, the lessons learned here are:
1. Go first class. Don't skimp on the train. Man, that made my ride great.
2. Find a woman to go with you. That also made my ride first class.
3. Make sure you are going to go to a cool place once you arrive - spend a night somewhere cool in Nong Khai overlooking the Mekong - which ain't the pacific, but it's as close as you get in that part of the country.
#15 Posted: 25/11/2011 - 05:59
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Victory in Pattani
Lou_Leeds
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Thank you very much for the advice. I'm sure the fellas i'm going with will have number 2 sorted!
Anyway decided to go from Bangkok to Chang Mai and then on to Laos, it all seems pretty straight forward but again anymore advice would be brilliant.
Thanks : )
#16 Posted: 30/11/2011 - 04:59