After a memorable week with family in Luang Prabang, Laos' former imperial capital, we boarded a sleeping bus to Vientiane (170,000 kips/person or about 17 euros, negotiated fare).
Lao overnight buses differ from those in China, featuring double bunk beds along each side. Solo travelers might share with a local—truly immersing you in authentic experiences! With our girls, we each took a lower berth, which we recommend for families as they're more practical than uppers. Though comfortable, the 11-hour journey tests endurance with potholes, unpaved sections, and wandering cows. Thankfully, the driver navigated cautiously, and the girls slept soundly.
We rested overnight in Vientiane before heading to Nong Khai, Thailand. The city didn't captivate us after Luang Prabang's magic, so we lounged poolside at our hotel.
Refreshed, we gathered transport info from the hotel to the Friendship Bridge. Options included:
We bargained a tuk-tuk from the hotel to the central bus station (20,000 kips or 2 euros for 2 km—pricey but down from 60,000 kips). In 45 minutes, the local bus delivered us to the Lao border post—simple, swift, and economical!
Presenting our exit immigration cards from the China-Laos crossing, we got our passports stamped. The Friendship Bridge shuttle across the Mekong costs 4,000 kips/person (free for girls). Pro tip: Local currencies or USD work at most borders.
Gliding over the Mekong is mesmerizing—Laos' shores on one side, Thailand's on the other.
The Thai side was equally straightforward. Fill out the arrival/departure card (provided post-bus) before immigration. As French citizens, we entered visa-free for 30 days at no cost.
Just like that, we arrived in Nong Khai, Thailand! We overnighted near the train station before a daytime rail to Ayutthaya, Siam's ancient royal capital.
