I need an advise! train tickets.

[marseniy]

I have been looking for a train ticket from Bangkok to Vientiane but I didn't find anything online so far. Is it possible to buy it online? Does anybody know how much first class costs?

Now I am in Phuket and I have to leave for Laos in 3 days. Fly tickets are expensive but maybe its worth it since in Bangkok politically I don't know whats going on.

[Rumblecat]

This should help you-


http://www.seat61.com/Laos.htm#Bangkok%20to%20Vientiane

How to buy tickets, Bangkok to Vientiane...

You can't buy through tickets from Bangkok to Thanaleng, you have to buy a ticket from Bangkok to Nong Khai, then buy the onward ticket from Nong Khai to Thanaleng at the station when you get to Nong Khai.

How to buy the Bangkok to Nong Khai train ticket: You can buy your Bangkok-Nong Khai sleeper ticket at the reservations office in Bangkok or through an agency such as www.thailandtrainticket.com, www.thaifocus.com or www.asia-discovery.com. You can no longer buy tickets online from Thai Railways, this service ceased in January 2013. There are often places left on the day, but I strongly recommend pre-booking if you can. For details see the How to Buy Tickets section on the Thailand page.

How to buy the ticket from Nong Khai to Vientiane: You buy this when you get to Nong Khai, there's plenty of time for this between trains. You can simply buy a Nong Khai to Thanaleng shuttle train ticket for 20 baht when you arrive at Nong Khai station, no prior reservation necessary or even possible, then bargain for a tuk-tuk from Thanaleng to central Vientiane when you get to Thanaleng. If you share a tuk-tuk with other travellers, this is the cheapest option. Or you can buy a combined train & taxi ticket at Nong Khai station for 300 baht, this includes the shuttle train to Thanaleng and a transfer into central Vientiane.

How to buy tickets, Vientiane to Bangkok...

Booking online: You can no longer book Thai train tickets online, this service ceased in January 2013. You can order them via agency www.thailandtrainticket.combut as they don't have an office in Nong Khai you'd need to pay hefty courier fees, so it's only worth it if pre-booking a specific train, date and class is totally mission-critical. Just book at the station when you're there.

Buy tickets to Bangkok at Thanaleng station: It's now (since November 2009) possible to buy tickets all the way to Bangkok at Thanaleng station ticket office, even on the day of travel. You must buy your tickets in Thai Baht only, in cash at Thanaleng station. There is no currency exchange or ATM there, so get hold of some baht before leaving central Vientiane.

Exit fee: There's a 10,000 kip or 40 baht exit fee to pay on leaving Laos via Thanaleng.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

It was pretty cheap to fly Nok Air or Air Asia to Udon Thani. Although at short notice, might be expensive. At the airport get a shuttle van to the bridge crossing the Mekong River into Lao. To be honest, I wouldn't take trains in Thailand anymore. There are derailments every month.

Edited May 24, 2014 by Kaoboi Bebobp