Chiang Mai Travel Forum

I will be in Chiang Mai in May for a day or so on my way to Laos. I understand that there is a bus that goes from the Bus Terminal to the border. It takes about 7 hours. Is that correct? Has anyone done this? I really wanted to take an overnight bus and arrive at the border early morning so that I can take the slow boat to Luang Prabang. Any feedback is appreciated.

We took that bus about a year and a half ago. Not sure if there is a night bus. We stayed 1 night at the border and made our way accross the next day

I would assume that there are buses that depart from the Arcade Bus Station which in the northeast of Chiang Mai for Chiang Khong since the buses for Chiang Rai also depart from this station. But there are many travel agencies in Xiang Mai that also sell minivan transport to Chiang Khong as well.


As above, I'm not sure if there are overnight buses running from Chiang Mai to Chaing Khong BUT there are overnight VIP sleeper buses running from Bangkok's Mochit Bus Station to Chiang Khong (and vice versa).

If you're going to spend several weeks in Laos, I'd highly recommend heading north from Huay Xai to the Luang Namtha/Muang Sing area instead of taking the slow-boat down the Mekong and then working your way down to Luang Prabang via the Nam Ou River with a stop in either Nong Khiaw or Moung Ngoi, OR both.

I agree with the previous poster.. give the boat a miss. I heard many people talking about it when i met them in Luang Prabang and most of them thought i'd been fun for about an hour... Not 2 days. And the place where you have an overnight stay is apparently extremely not-tourist friendly (they know you have no choice).

We went to Luang Nam Tha and around and loved that area. We saw so many people crossing the border with us, all going for the boat. In Luang Nam Tha we met very few travelers. Most people head straight for Luang Prabang and don't venture up north.

we ve just left chiang mai last week it seems that route to luang prabang became very popular this year as almost all the travel agencies selling pack tours that covers 2 days accomodation+food+boat and bus tickets the price is like 1200 thai baht with slow boat which makes 25 euros you might be told that they can arrange you a laos visa for 1700 baht dont belive them that costs 1200 on arrival
have a good trip

Considering the amount of people we met last year (sept. 2006) who were on their way to the boattrip when we crossed the border, it was and has been a popular route for a while now. They sell the boattriup everywhere, in Chiang Mai and Pai at least that i know of. And the boats are full of people., so not much space to stretch your legs the 2 days you're on board....

hi there why not stop off at the bammboogardenguesthouse when you arrive in udonthani is a great relaxing place and near the boarder

garrett

I would like to get to Luang Prabang by road from chiangmai in one day. is that possible? i do not want to take the slow boat as i have a very short time. is that possible?

no it is not possible but you can pay 10 euros more and take the fast boat that might make you save little time

Hello,

but i heard the is not recommended to take the boat becos is not safe. am i right?

I met 2 guys when we were in Laos who had taken the fast boat and they said it was probably one of the scariest things they'd ever done. They think that one quite a few occasions it was only luck that saved them from topping over. They wouldn't recommend it to anyone

yes you re right
i ve heard the same story but never experienced myself
that sounds really unsafe however no accidents reported so far but thats a choice
personally , would i take the fast boat?
NO