Thailand forum

HoueiSay to ChiangRai -transportation

StephanieM

longtail driver
Posts: 6

Hello- We are scheduled to arrive from Pakbeng around 5pm (travelling on a Luangsay cruise) in HoueiSay on Sunday July 12. Our plane from ChiangRai to Bangkok is at 10pm the same day.
The travel agent is booking us a private car (or taxi) from HoueiSay to ChiangRai for $86. Does it sound reasonnable or is it a rip off? We are 2 adults+2 toddlers+1 baby so the cheaper bus option is not applicable but maybe someone knows if it's easy/reliable to get a taxi directly from the immigration point and how much it is. Thanks.

#1 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 21:49
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

Stephanie

This was covered in another post here on Travelfish. But, I can't find the actual link.

From my memory, Somtam wrote that relying on a bus isn't an option.

As a practical answer, Somtam suggested staying overnight at Huay Xai or Chiang Khong (on the Thai side of the river from Huay Xai).

If you are worried about cost, another option is to await till you arrive at Chiang Khong and when you get through the border customs, hire a car there and then. At least you'll know the maximum price. And, you'll probably do a lot better than $86.

Cheers

#2 Posted: 4/7/2009 - 08:34

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wanderingcat

som tam seller
Posts: 663
Private message

don't think the Chiang Khong -Chiangrai bus is an option at all, last bus departs Chiang Khong at 5:00PM. don't know about the Chiang Khong-Chiang Mai bus timings & whether they can drop you off in Chiangrai.

have heard of one guy hiring a taxi from Chiangrai airport to Chiang Khong, but can't retrieve his post (from another forum) with the cost now.

don't know how well Luangsay keeps to their scheduled arrival time, it could depend on the owner's 'working relationship' with the local 'authorities'...at least for the ordinary slowboat, quite often there are 'efforts' to ensure that they arrive in Huay Xai too late for passengers to make it to the Lao immigration before the 6PM closing time so that guesthouses & restaurants in Huay Xai don't get bypassed. perhaps those who've done LPB-Huay Xai with Luangsay will know better.

#3 Posted: 4/7/2009 - 12:24

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Laos transport timetables