Laos, a not so typical travel destination in Asia. It is located in
the center of Indochina, sharing borders with China to the North, Myanmar to
the Northwest, Thailand to the West, Cambodia to the South and Vietnam to the
East. Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. Located on the banks
of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a city immersed in legend and history. The
city is the home of the massive golden stupa, Pha That Luang, a national symbol
of Laos.
The gateway to Vientiane, Laos is Nong Khai.
Nong Khai is still in Thailand, lies at the end of the Northern -
Eastern Railway, on the border with Laos. Here are the 6 simplified steps
on how to get to Vientiane from Bangkok.
1. From your hotel or anywhere in Bangkok, ride a taxi to Huamlumphong Train Station. It is officially known as the Bangkok Railway Station, the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District.
1. From your hotel or anywhere in Bangkok, ride a taxi to Huamlumphong Train Station. It is officially known as the Bangkok Railway Station, the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District.
2. At Hualumphong Train Station, Bangkok buy ticket going Nong Khai. (Thai - Laos Border). Time of departure is 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. It is roughly 14 hours journey.
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Ticket Rate is in Baht |
3. Once at
Nong Khai Train Station, buy connecting ticket going to Thanaleng Train
Station (Laos) at the ticket booth for 20 Baht. The train travel across a bridge where Thailand and Laos is connected, the so - called 'Friendship Bridge'. It is not more than
20-minute train ride to Thanaleng.
Ticket to Thanaleng, Laos. |
4.
Before hopping in the train. Make sure to clear your passport for Thai
exit. Don't expect for a fancy Thai Immigration inside the Nong Khai
train Station. This is actually the passport control booth where your
passport will be stamp for exit.
Say 'Goodbye' to Thailand. |
5.
At Thanaleng Train Station, fill up the immigration form for stamping
of Entry to Laos. Yes, Lao Immigration is also located inside the Thanaleng
Train Station for those came from Nong Khai Train Station. For ASEAN, no visa required and so for non - ASEAN you need to fill up a visa form and pay a $30 for it.
Immigration Check - In |
Immigration Form. Fill up this form at its back. |
6.
Going to Vientiane, shared taxi is available. You can also ask your
driver if he can drop you at your hotel or anywhere for additional 30
Baht. In Laos, they are accepting Baht. Laos currency is Kip. 1 Baht = 250 Kip. For me, it is easier to transact using Baht. Well, i just love to ask the vendors 'How much in Baht, how much in Baht?' in a Lao accent. :)
Plan your future Laos trip now. Enjoy!
Great, detailed guide Kirk! Speaking of the Golden Stupa, we weren't able to visit it in our more-than-one-week stay in Vientiane :( Boo.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gay! Aww. Why?
DeleteAng peaceful lang sa Vientiane e no? Dun lang ako nakapaglakad sa gabi na feeling ko e safe na safe ako. :)
Two words: naiingit ako!!! Lol
ReplyDeletePagbalik mo Bangkok e punta ka din. Lol.same rate din naman ung train sa overnight stay sa hotel. Pag gising mo Laos kana. lololol.
Delete