[2025 Nong Khai Attraction] Travel Guide for Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No.1 (Updated Apr)

#TransportationRelatedInformation #Spring0YenTrip This time I'm going to travel from Laos to Bangkok on the State Railway of Thailand~ You can make reservations for trains on the official website of the State Railway of Thailand The website is slow, but please try a few times in a place with good connection When I went last year, there was only one sleeper car (formerly Blue Train 24 series) on the train connecting Khamsavath and Bangkok, so it was full and I couldn't get a seat 😭 I recommend making reservations early I left the hostel near Patuxai and walked while looking at tourist spots on the way, because I couldn't predict the bus times 😂 Khamsavath Station, the gateway to Thailand in Vientiane, is located in a peaceful place with lots of goats. There is also a shower in the toilet! I was grateful to use it because I was traveling on a night train. There is nothing around the station except goats, but if you walk a little, you can get food such as yakitori stalls. As the train arrives, immigration begins and you need cash, so prepare baht or keep. I was hit by a rainstorm and the train was delayed by an hour. I wanted to buy some food in Nong Khai, but... I decided to ride a sleeper car to Nong Khai. It was nostalgic for the 24 series, which I hadn't seen since I rode the Akebono. However, since there was no time to transfer to the Special Rapid Train from Nong Khai, the conductor told me to come to the front, so I could hardly stay... I had just made friends with an Irish girl 🥲 After quickly passing through immigration in Nong Khai, I was guided by a station attendant and dashed to the car parked in front. I booked first class on this train, so it was a private room for two. I ended up sharing a room with a Japanese person lol, and he told me about traveling in India and Egypt. I was woken up at around 5:30 in the morning to get the sheets. I thought I could sleep a little longer since I was going to the last stop, but I arrived at Bang Sue station almost on time. The ATM is near the subway ticket gate. After withdrawing some cash, I went outside the station and took a local train to Hua Lamphong. The leisurely train is used for commuting to work and school in the city center.

#Visit Nong Khai 📍Address: In front of Nong Khai checkpoint

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck **Review of Train Ride from Nong Khai Station (Thailand) to Khamsavat Station (Vientiane)** Traveling by train from **Nong Khai Station (Thailand)** to **Khamsavat Station** in **Laos PDR** is a convenient and interesting short cross-country route, suitable for tourists who want to experience local travel. And see the view of the Mekong River along the way --- ### **Basic information** - **Route**: Nong Khai Station (Thailand) → Cross the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge → Khamsawad Station (Laos) - **Distance**: Approximately **3.5 kilometers** (Only **15 minutes on the train**) - **Departure time**: There are **2-3 trips** per day (e.g. morning 07:30 and afternoon 14:00 *should check the latest schedule*) - **Ticket price**: 20-.200 baht --- ### **Detailed travel steps** 1. **Start at Nong Khai Railway Station** - Nong Khai Railway Station is located in the city center, approximately 2 km from the Thai-Laos border checkpoint (Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai). - **Buy train tickets**: Buy them at the ticket counter in the station. It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure time. 2. **Pass through the Thai immigration checkpoint** - Before boarding the train, you must check your passport at the Thai immigration checkpoint inside Nong Khai Station. 3. **Take the train across the Mekong River** - The train will move slowly across the **Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge**. This is a highlight where you can take beautiful pictures of the Mekong River and the bridge. - Arrive at **Khamsavad Station** in Vientiane Municipality. 4. **Pass through the Lao immigration checkpoint** - Get off the train at Khamsavad Station to submit your passport for a Lao visa (if you do not have a visa in advance). - **Laos visa fee**: Approximately 30-50 USD (or 1,500-2,000 baht). Prepare 1 photo. - *Note*: If you are traveling for a day trip, you must also check the return train schedule. 5. **Travel from Khamsavad Station to Vientiane City** - From Khamsavad Station There are tuk-tuks or taxis for hire into Vientiane (about 20 km, 30-40 minutes). - **Fare**: About 200-300 baht --- ### **Highlights of the route** - **Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge view** – The view of the Mekong River from the train is beautiful and rare. - **Experience crossing the border by train** – It is a unique cross-country route. - **Save time** – It takes less time than taking a bus or driving a private car. - **Suitable for adventurers** – You can experience the local travel culture. --- ### **Things to know/cautions** 1. **Check the train schedule in advance** – Times may change depending on the season or railway policy. 2. **Prepare your documents** – Passport (with more than 6 months of validity), USD/THB cash (for visa fees and expenses in Laos) 3. **Train condition** – It is a local train without air conditioning, it can be hot in the summer. 4. **Essentials** – Drinking water, hats, power banks (Laos stations have few facilities) 5. **Beware of luggage** – If you bring a large bag, you may be charged an additional fee. --- ### **Other travel options** - **Cross-border bus** – From the Thai-Laos Friendship Gate, it takes about 1 hour to reach Vientiane. --- ### **Places to visit near Khamsawad Station** - **Wat Sisaket** – An ancient temple over 200 years old - **Vientiane Patuxay** – An important symbol of Laos - **Vientiane Morning Market** – Try local food and shop for local products --- ### **Summary** Taking the train from Nong Khai to Khamsawad is suitable for those who like to travel without rushing and want to experience crossing the border by train. Although there are document checks that need to be prepared, it is worth it with the Mekong River view and unique impressions. For those who want convenience and speed, you can choose to take a bus or taxi instead.

The Mekong River crossing to Laos in January 2025, the cold wind blew until we saw beautiful waves along the river, something we had never seen before.

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, borders Nong Khai in northern Thailand, facing each other across the Mekong River, and the two places are connected by the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. To cross the border from Vientiane, the capital of Laos, to Nong Khai, Thailand, you need to go to the Thanarung Port on the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. The drive from the center of Vientiane to the port takes about 30-45 minutes. When you arrive at the Tanarong Port Building, the exit counter is in the office next to it. You can go to the counter to get your passport stamped to leave Laos. In principle, there is no exit service fee or exit tax required for exit procedures. After going through immigration, you can take a bus across the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge to the Thai Customs. The journey takes about 10 minutes and the fare is about 30 baht or 15,000 kip. After arriving at the station, you will go to Thai customs. You need to check your luggage when entering Thailand, and then go through the Thai immigration process. Passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macao enter Thailand visa-free. After crossing the border, you can take a tuk-tuk to Nong Khai Railway Station. The journey takes about 15 minutes and the fare is about THB 40 per person. #China-Laos Railway #Laos Travel

I decided to do a solo-border run to Laos. Rode my dirt bike from Chiang Mai to Laos. Made it in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Probably broke some laws on that "run" but in retrospect, it was worth every minute. Discovering unbeaten trails and great people. ¡Muchas gracias Chiang Mai! You can find some if the best people on earth over there. sabai sabai ##crf250 #border-run #vivaChiangMai

Depart from Kuadin Bus Terminal in Vientiane, Laos. This is how to cross the border to Thailand. Cross the Friendship Bridge between Laos and Thailand and go to the immigration office. If you get off at the Udon Thani Bus Station in Thailand, there are frequent buses to several provincial cities such as Khon Kaen. If you take the train from Udon Thani, you can quickly go to Bangkok, Thailand.

#summerdream The First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is the first large bridge across the Mekong River, more than a kilometer long. I always cross this bridge when I go to Vientiane, Laos. This bridge helps facilitate the transport of goods, which were previously transported by car ferries, and also provides a convenient outlet to the sea for Laos. The view of the Mekong River from the bridge is as far as the eye can see.

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai border crossing to Vientiane, Laos

The Friendship Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand was built with support from Australia, but the buses that travel between the two were sent from Japan.

A day trip is also possible. Landing at Udon Thani, renting a car and parking at Nong Khai checkpoint, parking fee is 50 baht per car. Before entering, you must make a border pass. It is recommended to make it in advance, you can fill in the details online, and then pick it up at the provincial hall on the day of your visit (before the checkpoint). Stop by to make the pass, it costs 40 baht per person. But if you haven't made it yet and go past the checkpoint, there is a private company that can do it for you, it costs 100 baht per person. We rented a van at the parking lot (not in advance) for 2,000 baht per car, taking us to visit 5 important places in Vientiane. This place is good, they recommended taking us to walk to various points at the checkpoint, but if you don't want to rent a car, we can take a bus across the Mekong to rent a van on the Laos side. Today, I asked the price, they charged 1,000 baht. I recommend not exchanging Lao money, they accept Thai money.