A test run for the new cross-border rail link between Bangkok and Vientiane took place yesterday, paving the way for the official passenger service set to start this Friday.

 

Nong Khai governor Sompob Samitasiri, alongside staff from various government agencies, private organisations, and tour businesses, participated in the trial. The journey began at Nong Khai Railway Station and concluded at Vientiane Station (Khamsavath) in Laos.

 

Bookings for the rail service have been open since July 10, with the first scheduled commercial trip departing this Friday. The train will leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok at 9.25pm and is expected to arrive at Vientiane Station at 9.05am the following day.

 

Ticket prices for the one-way journey from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station to Vientiane Station range as follows: 281 baht (US$ 😎 for a third-class fan seat, 574 baht (US$ 16) for a second-class air-conditioned seat, 784 baht (US$ 22) for a second-class seat that converts into an upper bed with air conditioning, and 874 baht (US$ 24) for a second-class seat that converts into a lower bed with air conditioning.

Passengers starting their journey from stations further along the route will benefit from lower fares. Seats can be reserved up to 180 days in advance at any railway station nationwide, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Upon reaching Vientiane, travellers can explore local tourist attractions or continue their journey using the high-speed China-Laos railway from Vientiane Railway Station to other provinces in Laos or onward to China.

 

In related news, Thailand and Laos are poised to inaugurate a new railway network connecting Bangkok and Vientiane, with a trial run scheduled for late June, as announced by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

The initiative is set to improve connectivity for travellers and facilitate the movement of goods between the two nations, positioning Thailand as a key logistics hub in the region.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of TNN

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-15

 

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excellent news, i'll certainly be jumping aboard

I am confused because in the past i had taken the train from Vientiane to Bangkok. Had that service stopped for awhile and this is new? 

Might have to have a go on that myself... beats road trip.

Any visa requirements ?

People actually want to go to Laos.....? There's nothing there?

12 hours at 50kph ain't my idea of a good trip, especially to that communist place!

Vientiane is a quiet, relaxed city. Good places to eat and some great beers to enjoy.

 

They have EV tuktuks that go by the name 'kok kok move'.

Cheaper to use than normal tuktuks and no exhaust fumes.

 

Seems like a long trip, 12hrs.  Bus to the border is quicker for sure. 

10 minutes ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Vientiane is a quiet, relaxed city. Good places to eat and some great beers to enjoy.

 

They have EV tuktuks that go by the name 'kok kok move'.

Cheaper to use than normal tuktuks and no exhaust fumes.

 

Seems like a long trip, 12hrs.  Bus to the border is quicker for sure. 

For those of us who like the adventure of train travel, speed is not the thing at all. You can drive from Bangkok to Ayutthaya in an hour and It's  meh, just another hour in a car - but the train journey, which takes ages, is unforgettable.  

2 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

People actually want to go to Laos.....? There's nothing there?

12 hours at 50kph ain't my idea of a good trip, especially to that communist place!

have you ever been?

 

2 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

People actually want to go to Laos.....? There's nothing there?

12 hours at 50kph ain't my idea of a good trip, especially to that communist place!

I got a lot of Staph infections when i went there. So obviously there is something there hmmm

10 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Might have to have a go on that myself... beats road trip.

 

Especially a death-van or stinky overnight bus.

11 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

I am confused because in the past i had taken the train from Vientiane to Bangkok. Had that service stopped for awhile and this is new? 

 

You had to change trains in Nong Khai. 

On 7/15/2024 at 3:32 AM, webfact said:

The journey began at Nong Khai Railway Station and concluded at Vientiane Station (Khamsavath) in Laos.

So a 15min ride, been there done that 8 years ago. Let me know when it goes all the way to Vientiane and beyond. 

And Cha Cha went on the Choo Choo Too

22 hours ago, Caldera said:

On 7/15/2024 at 6:24 AM, thesetat2013 said:

I am confused because in the past i had taken the train from Vientiane to Bangkok. Had that service stopped for awhile and this is new? 

 

You had to change trains in Nong Khai. 

So what's new a set of points ?.............

On 7/15/2024 at 7:49 AM, ChrisY1 said:

People actually want to go to Laos.....? There's nothing there?

12 hours at 50kph ain't my idea of a good trip, especially to that communist place!

Yeh what a dump why would you want to see places like this..................sarc mode off.

 The cleanest country I have seen in SEA. real communism too, people share the profits of tourist spots, sweep and clean the road themselves  in front of their businesses. Ideal also for Thais as the language is similar.