Chiang Mai to Laos Express: Train Journey

Price range: ฿3,019 through ฿3,549

Join us on this incredible Travel from Chiang Mai to Laos Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, or Vientiane.

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Duration:
2 Days, 1 Night
Transport:
Van, Train
Tour Type:
Transfer, Ticket
SKU:
MSB-CM-LAO-033
Group size:
Minimum 1
Location:
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai to Laos Express: Train Journey


Journey Overview

Travel from Chiang Mai to Laos in 2 days and 1 night by shared van and train. Cross the Thailand–Laos border, stay overnight in Huay Xai, then continue to Na Toey Railway Station for your train to Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, or Vientiane.

Highlights

White Temple


Visit Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), one of Chiang Rai’s best-known landmarks.


Cross-Border Bridge


Cross the Thailand–Laos border at Friendship Bridge No. 4


Huay Xai Hotel


One-night accommodation in Huay Xai City, Laos.


Na Toey Railway Station


Train with Scenic overland journey to Na Toey Railway Station.


Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai→ Huay Xai

Around 09:00–09:30 AM — Pick-up in Chiang Mai

Pick up from your hotel or assigned meeting point in Chiang Mai and travel by air-conditioned shared vehicle toward Chiang Rai.

White Temple

Visit Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), one of Chiang Rai’s best-known landmark. Entrance fee and lunch are not included.

Please note: During peak periods, heavy traffic, or when the journey is running behind schedule, the White Temple stop may be replaced with a break at a local restaurant to ensure arrival at the border on time.

Approx. 4:00 PM — Thailand–Laos Border

Arrive at the Chiang Khong border and cross into Laos. Border shuttle bus ticket is included. Guests are responsible for completing their own immigration and visa formalities.

Approx. 5:30 PM — Huay Xai

Arrive in Huay Xai and check in at your accommodation.Overnight in Huay Xai, Laos.


Day 2: Huay Xai → Na Teuy → Train Journey

07:30–08:00 AM — Departure from Huay Xai

On morning after having breakfast at hotel. Travel by local shared vehicle from Huay Xai to Na Teuy Railway Station. Journey time is approximately 5 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.

Lunch Break

Stop at a local restaurant for approximately one hour for lunch and a restroom break. Lunch is not included.

Approx.2:00 PM — Train Departure

Board the train at Na Toey Railway Station. A 2nd-class train ticket to your selected destination is included. Food and drinks not included may be available for purchase onboard. ( Please recheck with tour guide on the travel Day )

Arrival Options

Luang Prabang — Approx. 4.00 PM
End of service for the Chiang Mai → Luang Prabang option.

Vang Vieng — Approx. 6:00 PM
End of service for the Chiang Mai → Vang Vieng option.

Vientiane — Approx. 8:00 AM (Midnight)
End of service for the Chiang Mai → Vientiane option.

After Arrival : Transfer from the railway station to your hotel or city center is not included. Shared local taxis are normally available at the railway station for approximately USD 3–5 per person.


Booking Conditions

  • Booking required 3 days in advance to secure seats

  • Bookings made within 2 days must confirm availability with us first

  • Passport copy required for train ticket – email after booking


Important Information

  • The train includes clean restrooms and a food counter

  • Cash only onboard: THB, LAK, or USD accepted (no credit cards)



What’s Included / Not Included


✓ What’s Included

  • Shared air-conditioned van from Chiang Mai
  • Border shuttle bus ticket between Thailand and Laos
  • Hotel pickup within 5Km from Three Kings Monument, Chiang Mai
  • One-night accommodation in Huay Xai
  • A simple sandwich-box breakfast day 2
  • Shared transfer from Huay Xai to Na Toey Railway Station
  • 2nd-class train ticket to the selected destination


✕ What’s Not Included

  • White Temple entrance fee
  • Meals and drinks unless specifically mentioned
  • Laos visa or eVisa fees
  • Border/tourist fees where applicable
  • Transfer from the destination railway station to your hotel
  • Any services not specifically listed under “What’s Included”


Additional Add-on


Additional luggage: 200 THB per item, payable on the day of travel.


Before You Go

Confirmation will be sent within 24 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact our team.

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +66 91 825 5642

Insurance Requirement

To ensure travel insurance coverage, passengers are required to submit a copy of their passport at least 1 day before departure via email or WhatsApp

 The journey crosses from Chiang Khong in Thailand to Huay Xai in Laos via Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4.

Border crossing process:
  1. Complete departure procedures at Thai Immigration.
  2. Take the shuttle bus across Friendship Bridge No. 4.
  3. Complete visa and entry procedures at Lao Immigration.
  4. Continue by local transportation to Huay Xai.

Please note:

Thai Immigration is generally open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while Lao Immigration is generally open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Opening hours may change without notice, so travellers should check the latest border operating hours before travelling. Immigration queues and processing times may also affect your onward journey or arrival time.

Visa Information

  •  Travellers are responsible for checking the latest Lao visa and entry requirements for their nationality.
  • Visa on Arrival may be available for eligible nationalities.
  • The Lao Visa on Arrival fee as approximately 1,800–2,000 THB or USD 40, payable in cash.If paying in US dollars, bring clean, undamaged notes in good condition
  •  A passport photograph may be required for Visa on Arrival. Photo services 100 THB  at the border for an additional fee.
  • Additional immigration, tourist or border fees may apply  70-100 THB .
  •  Lao eVisa is accepted at Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge No. 4 (Bokeo). 
  •  Lao eVisa applications normally take around 3 working days to process, but processing may take longer. We recommend applying at least 1 week before travel and ensuring that your eVisa has been approved no later than 1 day before departure.
  • Travellers using an eVisa should carry a printed copy of the eVisa approval Letter when travelling.

 

Apply for Lao eVisa – Official Government Website

  • Important: Entry into Laos is subject to approval by Lao Immigration. Each traveller is responsible for holding a valid passport, visa or eVisa approval, and all other required travel documents.

Each ticket includes:

  • One bag up to 20 inches; or

  • One backpack per person

Oversized or additional luggage is charged at 200 THB per item, payable directly to the driver on the travel day.

Please declare all luggage when booking. Unregistered or unpaid oversized luggage may not be accepted if there is insufficient space in the vehicle.

 

✨ Free hotel pick-up & drop-off within 5 km of Three Kings Monument
📍 Staying outside the area? Simply choose a convenient meeting point (click images for directions)
🤍 No worries if you don’t select one — we’ll arrange the nearest pick-up point for you
📌 Final pick-up details will be confirmed after booking

If you choose a meeting point, please fill in the booking form as follows:

Hotel Name for Pickup: Meeting point name
Address for Pickup: Meeting point

 

Meeting Point
Meeting Point
Meeting Point
Meeting Point

  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure (where eligible)
  • Transport tickets may be non-refundable once issued
  • Refunds to the original payment method when possible
  • Changes subject to availability
  • No refunds for no-shows or invalid documents
  • We’ll support you if plans change
Non-Refundable Tickets

Train tickets, boat tickets, and other transport tickets are non-refundable once purchased or issued on the guest’s behalf.

For more details, you can visit our Cancellation & Refund Policy page.


Frequently Asked Questions

 Children under 1.2 meters in height travel free if they share a seat with an adult.

 Children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters require a child ticket.

 Children over 1.5 meters require a full adult ticket.

Seat numbers are assigned automatically by the LCR booking system upon ticket issuance. While we request adjacent seats for groups/families, seat selection cannot be guaranteed by third-party booking services.

You should arrive at the station at least 1 hour to 1.5 hours before departure. Station security checks, passport validation, and boarding gates close 5–10 minutes prior to train departure.

Weight Limit: Up to 20 kg per passenger in Second Class (30 kg for First Class).

Dimensions: The sum of length, width, and height must not exceed 130 cm.

Prohibited Items: Liquid items over 100ml (aerosols, sprays, perfume), sharp objects (knives, scissors), and flammable goods are strictly forbidden and will be confiscated at station security checks.

LCR train stations (e.g., Vientiane, Luang Prabang) are located outside the main city centers (approx. 30–45 minutes away). Unless specified as a full-inclusive package, station transfers (van/tuk-tuk) are not included but can be arranged upon request.

LCR official train tickets are released 3 days prior to the departure date. Because tickets sell out very quickly (especially C-series high-speed trains), we strongly recommend pre-booking with us early so our team can queue and secure your seats as soon as the booking window opens.

Once issued, LCR tickets are subject to strict official cancellation and change policies. Date or time changes must be made at the station ticket window with your original passport and are subject to LCR administrative fees.

You must provide a clear copy/photo of your valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity). Your full name and passport number will be printed on the ticket. You must show your original physical passport at the station entrance and ticket check.

It depends on your package. If you booked a train package, physical or digital train tickets will be issued and handed to you before travel. If you booked transfer-only, train tickets must be purchased separately.

Onboard Facilities & Amenities

No. There is currently no public Wi-Fi network available on LCR trains. Mobile internet signal (Lao SIM cards or roaming) works well along most of the route, though signal may drop briefly while passing through mountain tunnels.

Yes. All carriages are fully air-conditioned and temperature-controlled. It can sometimes feel chilly during long journeys, so bringing a light jacket or sweater is recommended.

No. Smoking (including e-cigarettes and vapes) is strictly prohibited anywhere inside the train and inside station facilities. Heavy fines apply for violations.

Each carriage is equipped with clean, Western-style sit-down toilets and/or Asian-style squat toilets, along with a handwashing sink and mirror. Separate accessible/wheelchair-friendly restrooms are available in designated carriages. Toilet paper is provided, but carrying personal tissue packs or wet wipes is recommended.

Yes. Overhead luggage racks above the seats accommodate small-to-medium bags and backpacks. Larger suitcases can be placed in the designated luggage racks located at the end of each carriage.

Yes. Electric power sockets (Type A/C plugs compatible with Thai chargers) and USB ports are available on high-speed trains. They are located underneath or between the seats in 1st Class, 2nd Class, and Business Class.

Yes. High-speed trains (C-series) have a dining counter/snack bar onboard selling bottled water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, packaged snacks, and instant noodles. On some longer routes, pre-packaged hot meals (bento boxes) are available. Note: Passengers are allowed to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on board.

Price range: ฿3,019 through ฿3,549

Discount:
Extra Luggages (+200 BHT pay on travel day)

Please choose at least 1 options.

You only can select max 1 options.

Private Room (+400 BHT pay on travel day)

Please choose at least 1 options.

You only can select max 1 options.

Total: 3019

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