Vientiane to Bangkok

How difficult is it to go from Vientaine to bangkok by bus or train? I have read that it is a bit more difficult to go this way then vice versus. How much should I expect to pay to get from Vientiane to the friendship bridge?

Thankyou
Raeleen

you can go from nong khai to bangkok by bus or train. no problem(only thing maybe is that sleeper trains are fully booked). dont know why it should be more difficult to go that way? cant remember the price from vientiane to bridge. but its just a short ride so shouldnt be too expensive.

from downtown it was USD 5 last time I did it.

or book yourself on the direct sabaidee bus, from fountain in VTE to KhaoSarn in BKK, tix here in BKk are now come down to 6/700/single.
Various buses NKhai-BKK/mochit, Chantour is very good, around 400/450. Just as easy (or diificult if you prefer0 as doing it reverse.

You can book the train ticket at most travel agents in Vientiane - you'll pay quite a bit more though. If you take the public bus from the Morning Market bus station to the bridge, it's about 3000 kip.

hope over to nong khai, then catch a overnight train or a gov. bus, very easy really. or go to udon and take a cheap flight with airasia or nok air.

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<hr>You can book the train ticket at most travel agents in Vientiane - you'll pay quite a bit more though. If you take the public bus from the Morning Market bus station to the bridge, it's about 3000 kip. <hr></blockquote>

As lynda has posted, Vientiane travel agencies [and even agencies in Luang Prabang] can book train tickets for you but it's about 50% more than the regular fare. For example an upper AC berth which runs 688bahts will run 1000bahts+ from a Lao travel agency. It's too bad one can't just book via internet.

The best deal for those headed to Banglamphu or Hualamphong area is the Sabaide Bus which departs Vientiane around 5pm, takes you to the border for exit immigration formalities, then your free 'fried rice' dinner at a riverside restaurant outside of Nong Khai before departing at ~8pm for Bangkok, arriving on Khao San Road between 5-6am.

Thanks so much to all for your info!!!!!!

Raeleen

Take the night train from Nong Khai, Thai border side. The best part of the train journey is this Thai train attendant who has an uncanny talent for telling you what Hollywood movie star you resemble. He himself reckons he is an Eddie Murphy look-a-like.

Just don't get the 1st class AC train car! It is like a freezer, very uncomfortable and quite a bit more expensive than the cozy fan section.