Bus From Khon Kaen

[tessadog]

To get to the friendship bridge by bus from Khon Kaen is it best to go to Udon Thani or Nong Kai for connection. The people in the hotel i am staying in say it is best to go to Udon as there is a shuttle to Nong Kai. Thanks

[sutnyod]

Hi,

I have done the trip many times. Just go to bo-kho-so KK and take a bus to Udorn. They are more frequent than the ones going to Nongkhai. However, in the case you go to Udorn you arrive at the bus terminal that has NO connection to Nongkhai. So you would have to take a tuk-tuk to the northern bus terminal. Usually the buses to Nongkhai are parked along the road already, they are so frequent! However, if anyone tries to charge you in the range of 100 Baht, leave the bus. I usally pay around 40 Baht. In Nongkhai, leave the bus at the Big Jiang and board a tuk-tuk to the friendship bridge. I recommend to ask the driver to deliver you right to the bridge (and not the collection point at the cross-roads where shuttles usually leave), because then you have more time at immigration and don't have to queue. You can always get on the shuttle from there, too.

Another option would be to take the Thai-Lao International Bus Udorn-Vientiane. I have heard good things about it, but never did the trip.

Edited April 21, 2007 by sutnyod

[abdulrahman]

To get to the friendship bridge by bus from Khon Kaen is it best to go to Udon Thani or Nong Kai for connection. The people in the hotel i am staying in say it is best to go to Udon as there is a shuttle to Nong Kai. Thanks

Assuming you want to go to Laos,not only to the Bridge,bus from KhonKaen to Udon,frequently,then international bus to Vientiane.About 70/80 Baht to Udon,85 Baht to Vientiane.

If you make the Lao Visa at the Consulate in KK before the trip can save time at the border!

[firstknight]

how long is the bus ride from KK to Udon? How much is the fare?

[sutnyod]

how long is the bus ride from KK to Udon? How much is the fare?

length of ride: approx. 2 hrs

fare: according to my experience in the range of 80 THB

Pls note there are two bus terminals in KK, one for normal, one for aircon. They are about 5-10 tuc-tuc minutes away from each other.

[Dazzler]

I am going across the border at the Friendship Bridge to extend my Non- Imm Visa, and will then need to go to Udorn.

As I am not going to Vientiane, what is the easiest way to get there from the Friendship Bridge by bus?

Can I flag down the bus from Vientiane and get on it?! Is there a shuttle bus from the border to Udorn?

Thanks.

[sutnyod]

I am going across the border at the Friendship Bridge to extend my Non- Imm Visa, and will then need to go to Udorn.

As I am not going to Vientiane, what is the easiest way to get there from the Friendship Bridge by bus?

Can I flag down the bus from Vientiane and get on it?! Is there a shuttle bus from the border to Udorn?

Thanks.

Hi,

I don't think you could flag down the international bus. Here my recommendation:

Cross back into Thailand by shuttle and leave shuttle at the regular drop-off point. Take a tuc-tuc (30 Baht) from there to the BigJiang junction (if necessary tell the driver you are going to Udorn). The junction is near a transport company at the big traffic lights. The advantage of waiting there (there is also a small coffee stall/shop) is that you get buses from all directions. Maybe even the international bus stops there, but as I said I am not sure.

If you tell the tuc-tuc to bring you to the Bo-Ko-So you will only get half of the buses en route to Udorn.

Also watch out at the Lao side of the border - where they sell shuttle tickets. Usually there are some Thai drivers waiting to bring you hassle-free back to Udorn, but it's a bit expensive. If you are lucky, you can pool a car with others and get back to Udorn at 120 Baht.

Cheers

sutnyot

[jazzbo]

Take the train -- the station is only a few hundred meters from the bridge