da Vientiane a Bangkok

About the ride from Vientiane to Bangkok

Crossing the border overland on your way from Vientiane in Laos to Bangkok in Thailand is one of those Southeast Asian travel adventures to tell the grandkids about. Not only will you be able to make the 795 kilometer (494 mile) journey via a choice of transportation – minivan, bus or train – but you'll also be saving money on accommodation if traveling through the night. What better way to meet a few fellow travelers or catch up on some rest other than a 10 – 14 hour overland traveling experience? 

Leaving the French colonial influences of Vientiane behind can be a slight tug at the heartstrings; however, as soon as you head south towards the glittering temples and spacious parks of Bangkok, your pulse will start to quicken in readiness for the exciting adventures ahead. The Khao San Road, the Grand Palace, Chinatown and Wat Pho, will all be ready and waiting for you. All you need to do is grab one last Lao coffee, pack a few fromage and jambon baguettes and jump onboard your preferred mode of transport. Bon voyage!

When traveling from Vientiane to Bangkok, you have three choices: you can take an air-conditioned VIP or tourist sleeper bus, which takes approximately 14 hours; you can take a first or second class train which usually takes 13 hours; or you can take a 9-person air-conditioned VIP minivan which takes about 10 hours.

Comfort levels, and prices, differ between buses, trains and minivans so it's up to you to manage your budget, and your adventure levels, as you head south to the Thai capital. In short, the train is best for getting some shut-eye as you can lie down in a bed; minivans are more flexible as you can choose when you leave, and where from; and buses are the most affordable option and probably one of the most sociable.

 

What to see when traveling from Vientiane to Bangkok

Buses and trains tend to leave Vientiane for Bangkok in the afternoon. This leaves you with plenty of time to cross the border between Laos and Thailand in the daylight. The rest of your journey will be at night so not much to see other than the brightly lit roadside food stalls as you pass through towns and villages. Arriving in Bangkok as the sun rises allows you to experience the suburbs of the Thai capital as they wake up. 
Rest stops and mid-journey meal breaks make bus and minivan travel as comfortable and memorable as possible, whilst train rides give you a chance to meet local people who are either traveling together as families or, perhaps, commuting between countries for work. 

Pro Tip: bring a Thai phrasebook and make notes on how to say certain words and phrases before you arrive in Bangkok.

 

How to get from Vientiane to Bangkok

Taking a bus 
Overnight sleeper buses from Vientiane to Bangkok allow you to cross the Laos-Thai border with the minimum of effort. Depending on which class of bus you take: VIP or Tourist, you'll be treated to an air-conditioned experience (blankets provided) that will also include rest stops, a mid-journey meal break and a small selection of onboard snacks. Although this won't always be the most stylish of ride – also, some chairs go back more than others – it's a popular choice with backpackers and travelers and saves your vacation funds for something more interesting upon your arrival in Bangkok.

A pro tip for bus travel is to stock up on snacks and water before you leave Laos. Also, try to keep a warm sweater or jacket at the top of your hand luggage to deal with the all-night air-conditioning – ear plugs, black out mask and travel pillow will all come in handy, too. It's a 14 hour journey, so try to get as comfy as you can!

Taking a train 
Booking a First Class or Second Class Train ticket from Vientiane to Bangkok is very easy and alleviates the need to splash out on overnight accommodation costs. Although cabins are shared and open you are still promised a good night's rest as seats turn into beds and the main lights in the carriage are turned off. Local families are always well-prepared for this sort of journey. Often you'll find many generations traveling by overnight train with kids and grandparents enjoying the experience together, as well as the opportunity to practice their language skills on foreign travelers.

Crossing the border from Laos to Thailand is relatively straightforward. You get off the train at Thanaleng train station in Laos and transfer across the border in a minivan before continuing by rail from Nong Khai train station to Bangkok. Trains leave Vientiane at 3pm each day and arrive in Bangkok 13 hours later. The best advice is to arrive early to find the right platform and avoid an anxious last minute rush. All aboard!

Taking a minivan
Minivans are more expensive than buses or trains but they are also more efficient and can depart from wherever in Vientiane that you choose. Also, as there's enough space for 9 passengers, you can split the travel costs which actually works out to be quite an affordable travel option. This is definitely a good choice if you need to be in Bangkok as soon as possible. It also suits travelers who prefer a touch of chauffeur-driven luxury as well as a more flexible approach to when and where you leave from, and arrive.

 

Crossing the border from Vientiane to Bangkok

Crossing the border from Laos to Thailand takes you across the Mekong River via the Thai-Lao friendship bridge. This is the connection between the two countries for vehicles traveling from Vientiane to Bangkok. 

There are separate checkpoints on each side of the Mekong - Thanaleng is the checkpoint on the Laos side and Nong Khai is the checkpoint on the Thailand side. You will need your passport and any other travel documents to hand but it is an easy and straightforward process. Drivers will usually help you and tell you where to go.