I don't know if anyone out there can help me but I want to travel by bus from Nan to Vientiane. It looks like I'll have to go via Phrae to either Khon Kaen or Udon Thani but I'm having trouble locating timetables or phone numbers. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Any help gratefully appreciated.

You be better off going all the way down to Phitsanulok, the Udon Thani buses seem to run from Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai so you can access either from there.

The best way to find timetables is to go to the local bus station with someone who speaks Thai, if there's anything reliable on the internet I've never seen it.

From Udon Thani you change buses to Nong Khai, these run hourly, then tuktuk to the border.

I don't know if anyone out there can help me but I want to travel by bus from Nan to Vientiane. It looks like I'll have to go via Phrae to either Khon Kaen or Udon Thani but I'm having trouble locating timetables or phone numbers. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Any help gratefully appreciated.

Maybe you can find something in here:

http://www.asia-planet.net/thailand/transportation.htm

you wont find much on the web, nor will the ever friendly Nan people at busstation have much of a clue for travels not directly linked to Nan.

Agree with above: go to Phitsanuloke or perhaps Uttaradait, pick up the thorugh bus ChMai (via either of the 2) on to either Udon, or if thats full or the wait too long, Khon Khaen can also do.

there are now 4 buses/day Udon-(must have visa for laos rready)-onot VTE OR ditto from Nongh Khai

if they dont suit you, its as above: on to Nong Khai, get off at FIRST stop, when bus turns right on highway (NOT to bussttaion), hire tuktuk, and as usual

There is an intermendiate borderpost somewehre near nan, or in that ''hook'' of friendly rural Thai, but up till now, AFAIK NOT open to farang. plus the onward trip Laos side to VTE will also be much more painful as above.

The visa to Lao can be obtained at the border, it's about US$30. The only other place you can get one other than Bangkok is the consulate at Khon Kaen which used to be about a four hour wait. Visa on arrival is a far better option.

Thanks for all your help everyone. Much appreciated.