Journey Overview

Travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang at a relaxed place. Cross into Laos, stay overnight in Huay Xai, then spend two days on a public slow boat along the Mekong River, with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.

Highlights

Thai–Lao Border

Cross the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 to Huay Xai

Huay Xai Overnight

Stay one night in Huay Xai before boarding the slow boat.

Mekong Cruise

Cruise along the Mekong River on a public slow boat.

Luang Prabang Stop

Stop overnight in the town of Luang Prabang.

This tour starts in Chiang Rai

Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Rai → Chiang Khong → Huay Xai

2:00–2:30 PM | Hotel pickup in Chiang Rai

Meet your driver and travel by air-conditioned van to the Chiang Khong border. Your exact pickup time will be confirmed after booking.

Around 3:00 PM | Cross into Laos

Complete Thai departure procedures, take the shuttle bus across Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4., then complete Lao arrival procedures in Bokeo Province. Border processing times may vary.

Around 4:00 PM | Check in at Huay Xai

Travel to your accommodation in Huay Xai and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. The room is based on two guests sharing. Guests booking together stay in the same room. Solo travellers share a room unless they select a private room for an additional 400 THB, payable on the travel day.

Day 2: Huay Xai→ Pakbeng

8:00 AM | Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before preparing for the river journey.

Around 10:00 AM | Slow boat to Pakbeng

Board the public slow boat and travel along the Mekong River towards Pakbeng. Keep your boat ticket, as you will need it again on Day 3.

Late afternoon | Arrive in Pakbeng

Make your own way to your accommodation and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Accommodation and meals in Pakbeng are not included.

Day 3: Pakbeng → Luang Prabang

Around 9:00 AM | Continue by slow boat

Return to the pier with your original boat ticket and board the boat for the second day of your Mekong journey.

Around 5:00 PM | Arrive in Luang Prabang

The service ends upon arrival in Luang Prabang. Please arrange your own onward transfer. All times are approximate and subject to change due to immigration, boat operations, weather, or river conditions.

Shompoo Cruise 2D

Train to Luang Prabang

Slow Boat 2D1N

What’s Included / Not Included

✓ What's Included

Shared AC van from Chiang Rai to the border
Hotel pickup within the Chiang Rai pickup area
Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 shuttle-bus ticket
1 night hotel in Huay Xai, based on two guests sharing
Breakfast in Huay Xai on Day 2
Public slow boat ticket for 2 Days
Accident insurance

✕ What's Not Included

Accommodation in Pakbeng
Lao visa or Visa on Arrival fee, if applicable
Applicable tourist tax or border fees
Private room upgrade in Huay Xai for solo travelers
Other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Before You Go

Confirmation

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

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.

Thailand to Laos – Border Crossing Information

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

Border crossing process:

Complete departure procedures at Thai Immigration.
Take the shuttle bus across Friendship Bridge No. 4.
Complete visa and entry procedures at Lao Immigration.
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.

Meeting / Pickup Information

✨ Free hotel pick-up & drop-off within 5 km of King Mengrai Monument, Chiang Rai
📍 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

Luggage Information

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

Are meals included?

A simple sandwich-box breakfast is included on Day 2. Other meals are not included.

Is this a private slow boat?

No. This package uses a public slow boat shared with other passengers.

Is accommodation included?

One night’s accommodation in Huay Xai is included. Accommodation in Pakbeng is not included.

Can I bring a large suitcase?

Large suitcases are allowed but may be difficult to carry due to stairs at boarding and arrival points.

For transfers to the Chiang Khong border, additional or oversized luggage is subject to a fee of 200 THB per item.

Special equipment, such as bicycles, may incur additional charges. Please inform our team before booking to confirm availability and applicable fees.

Where does the service end?

The service ends at the slow boat pier in Luang Prabang.

Is the White Temple ticket included?

No. The entrance ticket, lunch and personal expenses are not included.

Is there a guide throughout the journey?

No. This is a ticket and transfer package, not a fully guided tour.

Can solo travellers book a private room?

Yes. A private room in Huay Xai is available for an additional 400 THB, payable on the travel day.

What currency should I bring for extra expenses?

We recommend bringing Lao Kip (LAK) or Thai Baht (THB) in cash for onboard bar purchases, tipping the guide/crew, and personal souvenirs at village stops

Can I book a flight after arriving in Luang Prabang?

We recommend avoiding flights, trains or fixed onward travel on the same evening because the boat may arrive later than scheduled.

Do you provide hotel transfers and private transportation?

For slow boat journeys, pick-up service is provided at the departure point. Upon arrival at the final destination, travelers are responsible for arranging their own onward transportation.

For private transfers, we will provide the vehicle photo and driver's contact number at least one day before departure. With your permission, we may also share your photo and contact number with the driver to ensure smooth communication and easy identification.

Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Slow Boat | 3 Days, 2 Nights

฿3,750 Original price was: ฿3,750.฿2,489Current price is: ฿2,489.