Has anyone here taken a bus from Pattaya to Vientiane? How safe are the busses & drivers driving this route? Alternatively, what's the best way to get from Pattaya to Vientiane and rough costs if anyone here knows? Fly, bus, train?

 

I'm assuming that you need to take a bus to Nong Khai then another bus from Nong Khai to Vientiane, correct? Is there a VIP bus & roughly how much are the prices? Does the bus depart from North Pattaya Rd bus terminal? I believe we also need to have USD$40 or 1,500 baht on us for a visa to enter Laos for up to 30 days.

Bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Mochit 2 hours,

Bangkok to Udon Thani 8 hours (can be quicker),

Udon Thani to Ventiane 3 hours (Minibus would be faster but pricier)

 

Approx total cost 720฿ One way

 

Alternatively bus from Patts to BKK Suvarnabumi, fly from there to Udon Thani, then bus to Ventiane, journey  time 6 hours but have to add time faffing around at airport, total cost 4,000฿ one  way

 

YMMV

 

Another member will need to answer detailed queries.

1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

How safe are the busses & drivers driving this route?

Nobody can really answer this.  Most dangerous roads on Earth, people have died before from a bus crashing.  Most make it out alive.   Overnight seems to be more dangerous, but people have died during the day.

 

Safe?  Not very, but I would risk it to save a few baht!!!!!!  Up to you.....

 

Unless you're desperate to save money, I'd get a bus or taxi to Bangkok and then fly to Udon.

 

There are flights from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, the former being far more convenient.

If you want to go by bus, at least look for a company that has a fairly good reputation:

Nakhonchai Air

They have buses from their Bangkok terminal to Nong Khai.

Gold Class (VIP) 32       10.15      20.14

First Class 30                 19.50      05.30

Gold Class (VIP) 32       20.30     05.27

 

30/32 is the number of seats. No swaying double deckers.

https://www.nakhonchaiair.com/view/busroute-กรุงเทพฯ-13-หนองคาย

600 to 800 Baht.

 

Their terminal in Pattaya is here:

https://goo.gl/maps/xJYqjTxxr31DFYhHA

 

I haven't checked but quite sure you can also go from Pattaya to Bangkok with them.

Go to their terminal and ask.

 

From Nong Khai after Thai immigration there is a 20 or 30 Baht bus over the bridge.

On the Laos side there are taxis (or minibuses as far as I know) after Laos immigration. Short ride.

22 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

Unless you're desperate to save money, I'd get a bus or taxi to Bangkok and then fly to Udon.

 

There are flights from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, the former being far more convenient.

If visa run, why not go to Puh Quoc Vietnam? Direct cheap flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport and the reward 45 days on the return.

I can recommend that too. I did it. Was $ 17.00 nite on the beach bungalow.

 

Or take a flight BKK to Da Lat. Nice French colonial town.

4km away is beautiful Tyen Lam lake with hotels.

Fly.  You'll be happier.  And no.  The buses are not safe. 

17 hours ago, bbi1 said:

I'm assuming that you need to take a bus to Nong Khai then another bus from Nong Khai to Vientiane,

I believe there is a train service too, obviously from Bangkok ...I once did the train to Nong Khai, then messed about with a Tuk-Tuk to the bridge (via an unwanted rip-off agents office).... then a taxi on the other side. 

19 hours ago, Hummin said:

If visa run, why not go to Puh Quoc Vietnam? Direct cheap flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport and the reward 45 days on the return.

The 45 days exempt is both for flying in and land border crossings, correct?

8 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

The 45 days exempt is both for flying in and land border crossings, correct?

Yes for the moment it is until 31 march.

 

Edit note valid for 50 countries 

On 1/22/2023 at 2:58 PM, KhunBENQ said:

Their terminal in Pattaya is here:

https://goo.gl/maps/xJYqjTxxr31DFYhHA

 

I haven't checked but quite sure you can also go from Pattaya to Bangkok with them.

Go to their terminal and ask.

Anyone had any positive or negative experiences with the (Bor Kor Sor) บขส 407 Pattaya to Nong Khai bus?

On 1/22/2023 at 2:58 PM, KhunBENQ said:

I haven't checked but quite sure you can also go from Pattaya to Bangkok with them.

Go to their terminal and ask.

It is a longtime ago.. but I used to go to Nakhon Ratchasima with them from Pattaya, and they did not go via Bangkok...went 331/304 via Prachinburi.

6 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

It is a longtime ago.. but I used to go to Nakhon Ratchasima with them from Pattaya, and they did not go via Bangkok...went 331/304 via Prachinburi.

Are they regarded as a "safe" bus company?

Just now, bbi1 said:

Are they regarded as a "safe" bus company?

As safe as the other big buses I guess.