1

here in BKK the usual price-also from most agents-for the THROUGH Sabaidee bus (of course, todays travellers are too wooed to even a change of bus) is 800 THB/single.
you can shave off about 200 thb with the border shuffle and a night bus from the Mochit
the point is that Sabaidee bus is NOT from or bookable on the busstation. And Iguess thats the very same thing in VTE-though there should be a more luxury 999 THAI VIP bus/Borisat Konsong to the Mochit2

2

Do consider the overnight train. Pretty comfy, good food out the window for dinner, and no guesthouse cost at all. And a subtle adventure that has its own charm.

3

One recommends the overnight train.

4

Love the overnight train - both second and first class. So much more comfortable than the bus and I get a good night's sleep on the train. Through Green Discovery in VTE I think I paid 1,500B for first class and 1,250B for second class. Includes ride to border and across border to train station.

5

Buses Vientiane - Bangkok cost 800 baht from agents in Vientiane. If you go to NongKhai 24km away at the Thai border you can get the same standard bus for 350baht. I would recommend getting to Nong Khai yourself (easy, takes 60-90 minutes depending on border queues) - there are many ways of getting there - tuktuk (100 baht), taxi(200baht), bus from morning market (55 baht) etc.

6

Not only are local Thai VIP buses less expensive but they are nicer than the foreigner only VIP buses. You get much better snacks/drinks and bigger seats/more leg room on the local Thai VIP buses. At least that has been my experience. The only down side is that the movie will be in Thai. But let's be honest in any language you can still understand Terminator 3 should you want to watch it.

7

Yes, while you can save on the Thai VIP buses that run between Nong Khai and BKK's Mochit, you'll still have to pay out for the transfers between VTE and NK's bus station and from Mochit to central BKK. If you're staying in the KSR area, the advantage of the Sabaidee Bus Co. is that it brings you into the KSR area usually before 6AM. But overall, the Thai VIP buses from Mochit are very good if you choose the right bus company.

8

Does anyone know how late the night buses run from the Nong Khai station to Bangkok (when is the last departure?), and how much a VIP Thai bus from NK to BKK would run? Much appreciated

9

• cheapest: bus to border, cross over, pick-up to Nong Khai bus station, bus to Bkk.
• comfy: night train, 2nd class sleeper to Bkk
• fast: Nok Air from Udon Thano, 1640.- baht if booked well in advance...

*****

10

Robdtrai - the last VIP bus NK to BKK is about 8pm, and costs 350bt

11

On the VIP bus to Bangkok right now (that's right this bus has WIFI) and here's how we did it:

7:50 AM. arrived at the bus station behind the morning market (Talaat Sao). Walked past the touts that tried to tell us that the buses were full and that the only way to the bridge was by taxi. Walked past the aircon bus to Nong Khai that was supposed to have left at 7:30 a.m. 15000 kip/pp (next one was leaving 10:30 a.m.). Continued on to local bus stands. Found local bus #14 that goes to the bridge. There are no signs in English. Ask the driver or just look for the placard in the window 5,000 kip/pp (per peson). Every 30 minutes or when they are full...ours left about 8:05.

8:30 AM arrived at the friendship bridge. Exchanged kips (except for the exit fee) at the exchange booth. Get in the immigration line (for us the line was long and took about 1 hour). Pay the exit fee 2,500 kip/pp.

9:40 AM purchased ticket to cross the bridge 20 baht/pp at the booth right after you cross immigration. Takes about 10 minutes and leaves every 5 minutes or so.

9:50 AM arrived at Thai immigration no line. Completed arrival card, stamped for 30 day free visa entry. Complete "health" card and immediately got mobbed by tuktuk touts going to the Nong Khai bus station. First quote 200 baht...next quote 80 baht for 2 people and takes about 5 minutes.

10:00 AM arrived Nong Khai bus station and was misdirected by another tout to the non-VIP bus desk near the parked buses. Turns out the VIP bus offices are just on the side of the station (big banners with pictures of buses on them). 2 offices sell sleeper bus only. 1 office (Chan Tour) sells the day buses. All signs are in Thai...with some friendly help from the locals we were directed to the correct office. The departure schedule is on a piece of paper posted on the window. We purchased tickets for the 10:15 AM bus 650 baht/pp. o USD and no ATMs nearby. Exchanged money with merchant lady next door. Got a printed ticket with assigned seats. and boarded the bus.

10:25 AM departed Nong Khai on double-decker bus with toilet. Reclining seats are 3 across so plenty of room. Seats have private tv screens, video games, music, movies (thai only). They serve a snack around 11:30 and meal around 2:30 with water bottle. Blankets are provided. Intenet is a little slow...but heck..it's WIFI on a bus!

10:00 PM hoping to arrive near KSR in Bangkok.

Total cost: about $25 USD/pp

12

hi I see the overnight bus from Nong Khai to Bangkok says 350 baht on here, is that still accurate? We are wanting to take a night bus from there (take the cheap local bus from Vientiane to Nong Khai) and are wondering if anyone on here has updated info on the last bus leaving, where it goes (Mochit station or KSR, we want Mochit station as we are goign to the airport) and how much its costs, thanks!

13

yvonne - the nightbus nongkhai to BKK drops you close to Khao San Rd. There are taxis waiting there though to take you to Mochit - probably about 150-200baht on the meter. The nightbus was 350 baht a year ago - so if has gone up since, it won't be by much. This bus wasn't as fancy as the one RTW2009 mentions above though - it was 2 reclining seats either side of the aisle and AC but no wireless etc.