If I take the overnight train to Nong Khai or Thanaleng(Laos), do you know what time I’ll get there? The timetable says 9 am for Nong Khaiand 9:15 am for Thanaleng, but I’m wondering if the train really arrives atthat time. How long from there to the center of Vientiane? Can I make it intime to drop the passport at the Thai embassy before 12 pm or is it a lostcause?

Probably a lost cause for now as I understand, from the newspapers, that the NE trains are being rerouted via Chachensao, then north to Khaeng Khoi to connect with the regular routes to Nong Khai & Ubon, so need to add a few (unknown to me) hours to the journey.

Better to take an earlier tour bus, or fly to Udorn from Swampy, or still take the train, but enjoy a couple days and eves of Beer Lao.

Mac

Probably a lost cause for now as I understand, from the newspapers, that the NE trains are being rerouted via Chachensao, then north to Khaeng Khoi to connect with the regular routes to Nong Khai & Ubon, so need to add a few (unknown to me) hours to the journey.

Better to take an earlier tour bus, or fly to Udorn from Swampy, or still take the train, but enjoy a couple days and eves of Beer Lao.

Mac

Ugh. I was really trying to avoid the bus and flights are quite expensive right now, so the train was the best choice.

What about flying to Udon Thani (very cheap tickets from Bangkok) and then crossing over to Vientiane? Is that difficult/long/annoying?

Edited November 3, 201114 yr by dotx

Probably a lost cause for now as I understand, from the newspapers, that the NE trains are being rerouted via Chachensao, then north to Khaeng Khoi to connect with the regular routes to Nong Khai & Ubon, so need to add a few (unknown to me) hours to the journey.

Better to take an earlier tour bus, or fly to Udorn from Swampy, or still take the train, but enjoy a couple days and eves of Beer Lao.

Mac

Ugh. I was really trying to avoid the bus and flights are quite expensive right now, so the train was the best choice.

What about flying to Udon Thani (very cheap tickets from Bangkok) and then crossing over to Vientiane? Is that difficult/long/annoying?

I've seen vans at the Udorn airport marked for the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. There, pay baht 20 for another shared van across the bridge to Lao Immigration, and after that, either share a taxi to Vientiane or get one by yourself for baht 200-300.

Mac

you can fly to Udonthani on air asia nokair or thai airways, all flying out of BKK now, at Udon airport go directly to the exit door and inside next to the exit buy a minibus ticket for 200 baht to friendship bridge, do this quickly as these fill up and only go there after a flight, get your visa and pay 300 and up for transport into VTE, be aware on the way back to Udon from VTE unless you find some other people willing to share a minivan you'll pay 800 to 1100 baht fot a taxi or minivan, last time I went I had to pay 900 baht and had to wait for 2 thai guys to get dropped off in Udon and neither one of those guys paid jack and almost missed my flight

you can fly to Udonthani on air asia nokair or thai airways, all flying out of BKK now, at Udon airport go directly to the exit door and inside next to the exit buy a minibus ticket for 200 baht to friendship bridge, do this quickly as these fill up and only go there after a flight, get your visa and pay 300 and up for transport into VTE, be aware on the way back to Udon from VTE unless you find some other people willing to share a minivan you'll pay 800 to 1100 baht fot a taxi or minivan, last time I went I had to pay 900 baht and had to wait for 2 thai guys to get dropped off in Udon and neither one of those guys paid jack and almost missed my flight

This is great info, thanks! I just checked and Noak Air has roundtrip tickets to Udon Thani for 2700 baht, tax included. That's a great deal!