Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai or Mai Slow Boat

Hi,

Some up to date information!

In Luang Prabang, you can buy the slow boat ticket from the ferry port/jetty directly -opposite the really big palace/museum thing (note I've read that it might go from a little further up river when the water's higher. Just walk along the river & ask, everyone points the way). From pretty much anywhere in Luang Prabang it's a max of 10 minutes walk if you want to save on a tuk tuk.

It costs 110,000 to Pak Beng. Our boat sold pot noodles at 10,000 & some did baguettes for 15,000, else buy your own in advance -everywhere is open round the area selling food early in the morning.
The first boat is approx 8.30am. To get seats together/near the front/seats at all, turn up by 8!

In Pak Beng, headup the slope to the right for guest houses & yes, you can get a double room for 50,000 even when lots of places are saying they're full. Ours was a lot nicer than some we saw for 80,000....
The boat leaves here at 8.30 again, ditto on 8am & you can buy your ticket onboard, again 110,000.

Do not under any circumstances anticipate arriving in Huay Xai in time to cross into Thailind that night. Travel agents, anyone make all sorts of claims but it cannot be guranteed & is highly unlikely.

In Huay Xai, a shared tuktuk is 5,000 each or walk up the hill, turn right at the cross roads, take the right fork & continue until the guest houses & restaurants cluster. About a 10 minute walk. You can get guest houses with inside bathrooms for 50,000 but we went for a much nicer one which included a good breakfast for 100,000 -works out for 2!! The bottled water in the room is free too.... Quite conveniently this turned out to be on the corner of the jetty slip :-)

It costs 10,000 or $1 for your exit stamp then 10,000 for a ferry across the river. Once you've sorted your Thai visa, it's 30 bht each for a tuk tuk to the bus station. Our driver was lovely & even whistled to hold up the departing bus for us.
Bus from there to Chiang Rai was 65 bht each & runs every 30 mins. It took approx 2 hours & landed us at the bus station next to the tourist area.
There's plenty of local buses to Chiang Mai too -they take longer & cost a bit more, fair enough seeing as it's further.......

Enjoy :-)