Khon Kaen To Vientiane

[rimbung]

Compared to rail travel the air conditioned bus has to be the bargain in Thailand.

I have been here for a decade and in the old days would take a train from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai.

I have just spent a few days in Laos and done the new DIRECT NON STOP air bus trip from Khon Kaen to downtown Vientiene.

For just 180baht you get city to city with no stops or pick-ups in 3.5 hours. In the past a taxi from the Laos side to Vientiane would cost you 600baht so this has to be a great bargain.

There are already existing direct services from Nong Kai and Udon (80 baht one way) so it no longer makes sense to use the train or stopping buses.

[brianw]

Thats good news i will be in khon kean for a week in april can you let me know the timings of the bus also do i need a visa i am british

[brianw]

can you also give me the name of a good hotel i,e no more than 3000 baht. and also is there any sort of night life in vientianne

[Neeranam]

Which bus station does it leave? What time?

[rak sa_ngop]

It may be recommended to get your Laos visa before entering Laos as I believe that the Nong Khai buses will not wait for visa-on -entry passengers at the border.

[bgood]

A DIRECT NON STOP bus from Vientianne to Khon Kaen is of interest to me. Rimbung, do you have any more information such as company name? The bus must stop at Lao and Thai immigration/customs, but for how long?

Any further information would be much appreciated.

[rimbung]

The bus leaves from the air conditioned bus terminal in Khon Kaen twice a day at 8-15am and 2.15pm

Return bus from Vientiane bus station leaves at the same times.

Tickets can only be bought on the day and the ticket office opens at 7.00am. No return tickets available. A visa is needed to enter Laos and the easiest way to get one is at the Laos consulate in Khon Kaen. It will cost you 1600 baht and is a simple process.

This is a joint service between the Thai and Laos authorities.

There is just about enough time to get to the duty free shop on return.

This is a direct service from Khon Kaen and does not pick up anywhere else en-route.

There are a few nightclubs in Vientiane. I don't like to recomend hotels but 700 baht will get you a decent room.

[bgood]

Sounds good.

Thanks for the info, rimbung.