Visiting Laos From Surin

[whoppe78]

Thinking going in at Chon Mek and then taking bus up north. Thought seeing the 4000 island area would be interesting. Is the bus to go north going to be a brutal uncomfortable ride? Maybe better to go in at Mukadan and start there.Eventually want to fly back to BKK so I get automatic 30 day visa, which will cover the rest of my time here in Thailand.Saw a few reviews about Chon Mek and there was a lot of negative remarks. Want to have a adventure but am turning 53 next month and have some walking issues,bad foot.Would love to see the country side but don't want to be stuck on a broken down bus in the middle of no where. Any experiences will be appreciated.

[pomchop]

How long do you have to spend in Laos?

If you want to see the 4000 islands and then catch a bus up north, depending on where up north, that is going to be a very long bus ride. Generally the buses I rode in Laos were very old and very slow as they stop a zillion times to pick up and drop off. There are some minibuses on some routes but seems they fill every seat and not all that comfortable eithere. So bottom line it is a very long way from far southern laos to far northern laos and yes i would say that would be a brutal bus ride for you.

I always do two weeks up north or two weeks down south but don't try to do it all in one trip. Up to you.

I'm sure others can probably provide you with more info and suggestions depending on your time etc.

[lovelaos]

There is a VIP bus which runs from Pakse to Vientiane a couple of times a day which makes the trip a bit more comfortable.

You can also fly from Pakse to Vte with Lao airlines. (best option)

Minibuses do run but they won't go unless full. Good option as you decide when and how long to stop for.

If the bus does break down (good possibility) you won't be stuck for long, they run every hour on the hour.

WARNING: Get to the bus station early and get on the bus to reserve your seat (leave your bag on the seat if you do get off) because you will end up sitting on a plastic chair in the aisle for the entire 12 hour+ journey. I have done it before and it's not the most comfortable journey.

Happy travels

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Mr Google recommends doing some Googling:

http://www.travelfish.org/transport/laos/southern_laos/champasak/pakse/all

To/From Ubon Ratchathani

Buses leave Pakse for Ubon Ratchathani at 07:00, 08:30 and 15:30. Two hours, 200B. Of course they stop at the border for everyone to clear immigration. From the main bus station in Ubon Ratchathani, there are departures at 07:00, 09:00, 14:30, 15:30. We did the trip on our own -- one bus, two motorcycle taxis, three songtheaws, cost us 180B, took three hours.

To Si Phan Don

Minivans leave Pakse daily at 08:30 for 75,000 kip. They reach Nakasang at 11:30 where you can catch the ferry to either Don Dhet or Don Khon. The ferry costs 15,000 kip per person if you do it on your own, but it's included in the price of the ticket.

Mac

[ranabd]

Appreciated all of your post. My grandmother had gone there and explain her experience in this way: I walked a bit in the no-man's land to get from the Lao officials to the Thais; usually, I haven't been able to walk, the officials won't let me. But, it's laid back. I just went down the pedestrian walkway, entered the immigration office, gave them my passport, and they stamped me in! No money, no computer searches, no nothing! Now, to get to Ubon.

There's a whole line of taxis, tuk-tuks etc waiting for you as soon as you exit immigration. But, if you keep walking on the left side (yep, they drive funny here in this country, on the wrong side of the road! And that is going to almost kill me crossing streets in Bankok later!) past all of the fru fru, about 100M just going straight up, on the left, is the long distance bus station. You can't see it from customs, but it's there. Just keep trudging!

I caught a minivan for Ubon; I disappointed myself by not getting a local bus (a local bus is an outsized tuk-tuk with 4 wheels, open all around except some bars and a roof, and a bench running down each side, and sometimes a bench in the middle). I'm not sure I saved money now, because of the two minivans, but what the hey! About 2 hours to Ubon. Again, no photos!

[pomchop]

Appreciated all of your post. My grandmother had gone there and explain her experience in this way: I walked a bit in the no-man's land to get from the Lao officials to the Thais; usually, I haven't been able to walk, the officials won't let me. But, it's laid back. I just went down the pedestrian walkway, entered the immigration office, gave them my passport, and they stamped me in! No money, no computer searches, no nothing! Now, to get to Ubon.

There's a whole line of taxis, tuk-tuks etc waiting for you as soon as you exit immigration. But, if you keep walking on the left side (yep, they drive funny here in this country, on the wrong side of the road! And that is going to almost kill me crossing streets in Bankok later!) past all of the fru fru, about 100M just going straight up, on the left, is the long distance bus station. You can't see it from customs, but it's there. Just keep trudging!

I caught a minivan for Ubon; I disappointed myself by not getting a local bus (a local bus is an outsized tuk-tuk with 4 wheels, open all around except some bars and a roof, and a bench running down each side, and sometimes a bench in the middle). I'm not sure I saved money now, because of the two minivans, but what the hey! About 2 hours to Ubon. Again, no photos!

a local bus is an outsized tuk-tuk with 4 wheels, open all around except some bars and a roof, and a bench running down each side, and sometimes a bench in the middle).

it's called a songtaew....from thai word SONG which means TWO and the word Taew which means Rows....so a truck with two rows of seats in the back....

[whoppe78]

How long do you have to spend in Laos?

If you want to see the 4000 islands and then catch a bus up north, depending on where up north, that is going to be a very long bus ride. Generally the buses I rode in Laos were very old and very slow as they stop a zillion times to pick up and drop off. There are some minibuses on some routes but seems they fill every seat and not all that comfortable eithere. So bottom line it is a very long way from far southern laos to far northern laos and yes i would say that would be a brutal bus ride for you.

I always do two weeks up north or two weeks down south but don't try to do it all in one trip. Up to you.

I'm sure others can probably provide you with more info and suggestions depending on your time etc.

I was only planning a 10 day trip so maybe you right just fly to Ventiane and start there. Thanks for confirming me about bus rides, that is what I've read.

[SantiSuk]

4000 islands is south of Pakse. I seem to recall that it's about 3 hours and most buses going there would be tourist minivans that you get by shopping around in Pakse.

Long distance express VIP coaches are not quite as bad as described in this thread. Pakse to Vientiane is about 15 hours and 700 kilometres. You need to sleep on buses if you want to see 4000 islands, Vientiane. Luang Prabang, VangVeng and the Plain of Jars. Something will probably have to give if you want to do it in 10 days including travel from Surin to and from Chong Mek! Both the South and the North warrant 10 days each.

Edited September 12, 2011 by SantiSuk