Chiang Mai - Laos - Bangkok
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Dec 10, 2012 7:31 PM Last Post By: fondonzella
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Hello fellow wanderlusts, I am planning to travel to a few places in Thailand + Laos in March 2013. I am guessing the best route would be:
Chiang Mai - Chiang Khong - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Nong Khai - Bangkok
Is this route possible? Did I happen to miss out an important stop point?
I read that there is a sleeper train from Nong Khai to Bangkok (about 12 to 14 hours). Has anyone ever rode on one before? I was wondering if I could buy the tickets at the station itself, or if I have to get them beforehand.
Anyone travelled through the above routes before? Also, how many days would best fit this route? I was thinking maybe 10 days...
Thanks in advance!
Chiang Mai - Chiang Khong - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Nong Khai - Bangkok
Is this route possible? Did I happen to miss out an important stop point?
I read that there is a sleeper train from Nong Khai to Bangkok (about 12 to 14 hours). Has anyone ever rode on one before? I was wondering if I could buy the tickets at the station itself, or if I have to get them beforehand.
Anyone travelled through the above routes before? Also, how many days would best fit this route? I was thinking maybe 10 days...
Thanks in advance!
1
I've done the route. It really depends how long you want to stay in places.You can easily spend a week in Chiang Mai (of course I'm biased as I live here).
I've only gone through Chiang Khong, so I couldn't tell you. Nothing is really going on in Huay Xai. Luang Prabang is worth 3 or 4 days. I personally am not a fan of Vientiane and would only spend a day or 2. Nong Khai is nice enough for 2 days.
As for buying tickets at the station, it really depends. Sometimes you can get a spot the day of, other times you need to get tickets a few days in advance. If you know you are going to follow a certain schedule, you can buy your ticket at the Chiang Mai train station in advance.
Good luck.
2
Anyone travelled through the above routes before?
Are you kidding? This must be the most popular Thai-Laos route there is. Judging by what I've seen/over-heard in Chiang Khong, you could probably book the whole thing as a package out of Chiang Mai.Also, how many days would best fit this route?
Sorry, there is no 'best'. 10-14 days from Chiang Mai to Nong Khai seems to be the average for the backpackers doing the fast tour .. although they're likely to throw in a stop at Vang Vieng as well. Another well-trodden path is to get to Nong Khiaw in Laos and from there to the more recent hangout at Muang Ngoi.Did I happen to miss out an important stop point?
Probably, yes. What do you mean by 'important'?
3
You have named a very popular and easy circuit.. I've done a good part of it just recently (for the 3rd time...) though in the opposite direction. Pity you are limiting yourself to ten days as that will hardly allow you to truly savour the places you are stopping through. Much depends on your motives... do you just want to check places off a list, or actually visit Northern Thailand and Laos?I highly recommend you add at least a week to your itinerary... include Chiang Rai, and also consider a stop or two in between Luang Prapang and Vientiane.
Last but not least, keep in mind that Thai trains are great but in no way reliable when it comes to keeping to schedule. No problem to buy the tickets at the train station if you are traveling solo. Buses are nevertheless faster and more comfortable.
happy travels...
4
dreamsignals... I checked out this thread because I'm going to do a similar loop (typical, yes)... is Chiang Mai really worth a week if I'm not really into trekking? The consensus seems to be that the city itself is not particularly exciting (most of the sights can be seen in a day) so if I'm not into trekking or the people zoo of the hill tribes is there still enough to see and do for a week?5
I'm not into 'people zoos' either. The city is great. Wonderful food, a lot of different temples, good night life. You can also spend days in the surrounding areas checking out Doi Saket, San Kampaeng, Ban Mae Jo, ETC.If you're not really a city person, you might not want to spend as much time there.
6
#3, Unfortunately we dont all have the luxury of time so have to make do with what we've got. And OP has detailed a trip where travel connections arent going to be a problem.OP, CM to HX can be done in a day. Take either a Green Line bus direct to CK but if you miss that, you can get a local bus. They'll both get you there in time to cross over to HX before Immigration closes. Once in HX, book your boat ticket there.
7
This is doable in 10 days but a few more days would make it a less rushed affair. Your current timetable will have you on the move nearly all the time. You might be OK with that though.As the sleeper train will be your last leg you can book it in advance. If you go here you can book, pay and print your own PDF ticket. It would be a strange alternative universe where sleeping in a bed is less comfortable than sitting in a bus seat all night.
8
All this post demonstrates is that it's horses for courses.Chiang Mai not particularly exciting? In my book it is.
Not a fan of Vientiane? Often underrated IMO.
Buses are more comfortable than trains? You are dreaming.
10 days? Way too much for me in 10 days.
9
olimoore wrote:
Last but not least, keep in mind that Thai trains are great but in no way reliable when it comes to keeping to schedule. No problem to buy the tickets at the train station if you are traveling solo. Buses are nevertheless faster and more comfortable.
Last but not least, keep in mind that Thai trains are great but in no way reliable when it comes to keeping to schedule. No problem to buy the tickets at the train station if you are traveling solo. Buses are nevertheless faster and more comfortable.
The last time I took a train, it was 2008 in Beijing and was so-so. But the beautiful scenery sure made up for the lack of comfort! I am still deciding between buses and trains for this trip, though. Thanks for the input!
westwood wrote:
OP, CM to HX can be done in a day. Take either a Green Line bus direct to CK but if you miss that, you can get a local bus. They'll both get you there in time to cross over to HX before Immigration closes. Once in HX, book your boat ticket there.
OP, CM to HX can be done in a day. Take either a Green Line bus direct to CK but if you miss that, you can get a local bus. They'll both get you there in time to cross over to HX before Immigration closes. Once in HX, book your boat ticket there.
Noted, thanks for the info!
seaflux wrote:
As the sleeper train will be your last leg you can book it in advance. If you go here you can book, pay and print your own PDF ticket.
As the sleeper train will be your last leg you can book it in advance. If you go here you can book, pay and print your own PDF ticket.
Oh man, the link you gave me are all in Thai but thanks anyway! Will try to figure that out :)
