Er is nu een trein verbinding naar Thanaleng station in Laos.
Bangkok to Vientiane by train...
Looking back along the tracks as the train from Bangkok heads off the Bridge towards Thanaleng
The railway to Laos opened March 2009... Looking back as the train from Bangkok leaves the road/rail Friendship Bridge across the Mekong and heads towards Thanaleng station. Photo courtesy of Andrew McIntyre.
The new railway station at Tha Naleng, Laos.
Thanaleng station... The new rail terminal at Thanaleng, about 3km inside Laos beyond the Friendship Bridge, just 13km short of Vientiane city centre. It's pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so arrange transfers in advance if you can. Photo courtesy of Bob Fletcher
Thanaleng station, Laos
Above: Thanaleng station. Photo courtesy of Ted & Heather.
The tracks at Thanaleng station in Laos
Above: The tracks at Thanaleng station. Photo courtesy of Ted & Heather.
It's easy to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane (or vice versa) by train, using the daily overnight sleeper train direct from Bangkok to the new international rail terminal at Thanaleng in Laos, some 13km outside Vientiane. This train uses the new rail link over the Friendship Bridge across the Mekong river into Laos, opened on 5 March 2009. You can then take a local bus or tuk tuk to central Vientiane. It's safe, cheap and comfortable. Alternatively, you can still travel between Bangkok & Vientiane the old way, using any of the Bangkok-Nong Khai trains, then making your own way by bus or taxi between Nong Khai & Vientiane. This section explains both options.
Bangkok ► Vientiane
Km Train number: 133 77 69
Classes: s,2,3 DRC 1,S
0 Bangkok (Hualamphong) depart: 18:40 18:30 20:00
22 Don Muang depart: 19:27 19:13 20:50
71 Ayutthaya depart: 20:12 19:47 21:41
624 Nong Khai arrive: 07:35 05:05 08:25
630 Thanaleng (Laos) arrive:
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10:05
643 Vientiane (Laos) arrive:
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Classes...
1 = 1st class sleeper. S = 2nd class sleeper (air-con). s = 2nd class sleeper (non-air-con). 2 = 2nd class seats. 3 = 3rd class seats. DRC = Diesel Railcar express with 2nd class air-conditioned seats, meals included. Most western travellers use cheap & comfortable 2nd class sleepers, although others are happy to pay more for 1st class 2-berth sleepers.
Option 1, take the new direct train between Bangkok & Laos...
The easiest option is to take the new direct train (train 69 northbound, train 70 southbound) between Bangkok & Thanaleng in Laos, just outside Vientiane. From 5 March 2009, several cars of train 69 from Bangkok to Nong Khai are extended via the new Mekong River rail link into Laos, to the new international rail terminal at Thanaleng (sometimes written as Tha Naleng) some 13km short of Vientiane. The cars in question are several air-conditioned 2nd class cars, so you'll need to transfer from your sleeper to these through cars at Nong Khai. Similarly, three cars of train 70 from Nong Khai to Bangkok now start in Laos at Thanaleng. An extension of the railway to the suburbs of Vientiane is planned. How to buy tickets. The new Thanaleng station is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so pre-arrange a taxi transfer into Vientiane if you can, perhaps by booking a hotel then asking them to arrange a taxi. If you can't, you'll no doubt find a taxi or bus into town, and Thai baht are normally readily accepted.
VISAS: 'Visas on arrival' for Laos are now issued at Thanaleng station, costing US$35 + 1- baht entry fee.
Option 2, use any train between Bangkok & Nong Khai, then bus or taxi to Vientiane...
The other way to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane (or vice versa) is to take a train from Bangkok to Nong Khai, train 69 (train 70 southbound) being the best choice. Nong Khai is just a few kilometres from the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River into Laos. You then use road transport across the Friendship Bridge into Laos like this: (1) Take a local tuk-tuk taxi from Nong Khai railway station to the Nong Khai bus station. (2) A shuttle bus runs from the bus station across the Friendship Bridge to Laos every 20 minutes throughout the day, fare about 30 baht. It stops at Thai immigration 5 mins after leaving the bus station then crosses the Friendship Bridge to arrive at Lao customs & immigration some 10 mins later (a 15-day visa on arrival available for Laos at this border point). (3) You now remove your luggage from the bus luggage hold and go through Lao customs. Take another tuk-tuk to your chosen hotel. Try this link for more information on the shuttle bus. When travelling southbound, leave central Vientiane at least 3 hours before your train leaves Nong Khai.
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