Chiang Khong Getting there & around

Getting there & away

From Chiang Saen, graded and paved 52km-long Rte 1129 is the quickest way to arrive from the west. A second 65km road curving along the river has also been paved and provides a slower but less trafficked alternative. With mountains in the distance and the Mekong River to one side, this road passes through picturesque villages and tobacco and rice fields before joining Rte 1129 just outside Chiang Khong.

Buses depart hourly from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai (57B, 2½ hours) from around 4am to 5pm; the same for going to/from Chiang Saen. Buses from Chiang Rai and beyond use roads from the south (primarily Rte 1020) to reach Chiang Khong.

Daily buses going to Bangkok (2nd class air-con/1st class air-con/VIP 493/634/985B, 12 hours) leave at 3pm or 4pm daily. Book tickets with Easy Trip.

Boats taking up to 10 passengers can be chartered up the Mekong River from Chiang Khong to Chiang Saen for 2700B. Boat crews can be contacted near the customs pier behind Wat Luang, or further north at the pier for ferries to Laos.