There are multiple ways to get from Thailand to Laos, but by far the most exciting option is taking a slow boat down the Mekong River. The three day excursion was one of the most wild, frustrating, and unbelievable things we did during our three month trip to Asia. If you’d prefer to take the bus or fly from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang we wouldn’t blame you… But just know you’re missing out on an epic adventure! Here’s some tips from our voyage, and what you can expect traveling from Thailand to Laos by boat.

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Is the Slow Boat From Thailand to Laos Right For You?

The first step on your journey will be actually working up the courage to do it! Honestly, being on a small boat from Thailand to Laos for two days straight with a bunch of strangers isn’t for everyone. However, it’s an extremely cheap deal considering the other options. Some travelers choose to fly, or spend multiple days on a bus. You can go the way we did from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, but also in reverse and slow boat Laos to Thailand.

Thailand to Laos Day One

Prior to boarding your slow boat, you’ll have to cross the border into Laos. Most people (like us) booked with one of the many travel companies out of Chiang Mai. This includes all bus and boat transportation from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, and first nights “hotel stay.”

The first day of the journey ended up being one we would like to forget! After getting picked up at our hotel by the booking agency, we were on our way to the small border town of Chiang Khong. This is where many people pass through en route to Laos. The ride is about about five hours, with one quick stop at the magnificent White Temple in Chiang Rai.

Border Town Hotel

So now that you’re at the border you can literally look across the river and see Laos! Unfortunately, we we didn’t cross over that night. Instead, we were brought to a shady “hotel” included in our package deal. There’s a reason why we keep putting hotel in quotations!

Lets just say it was one of those places you feel cleaner NOT getting under the covers. Realizing we didn’t have any other options, we grabbed some snacks for our boat from Thailand to Laos and (unsuccessfully) attempted to get some sleep. During our trip in Asia we stayed at some pretty wild places, but nothing compared to this one!

Thailand to Laos Day Two

Once you arrive at the border, you’ll be greeted by a quick search from local police, and hundreds of other travelers looking to cross into Laos. Unsurprisingly, the system for approving visas isn’t the most efficient. We ended up waiting for over an hour for our name to be called!

Money Exchange Tips

Continuing on, a quick trip over the “Friendship Bridge” and we had finally arrived in Laos! Once at the boarding station we were herded down a large set of stairs with several hundred other people. At that time we were relieved to see three long boats with plenty of room for everyone, but some things are too good to be true. As we watched the second boat fill to capacity we were told they would not be loading up the third, and everyone was to fit onto two boats.

Try to have U.S. Dollars when crossing the border so you don’t get ripped off with the currency exchange.

At the Thailand Laos border we found the best rate of exchange for Laotian Kip. Don’t exchange your money at the hotel before leaving Thailand.

The currency of Laos (Kip) is basically worthless anywhere else in the world, so try not to exchange more than you need!

Boarding the Boat from Thailand to Laos

How, we thought would we ever fit all these people onto two boats? Other travelers in the group had a similar, yet more aggressive line of thinking. After some arguing back and forth things escalated a bit. It turned into an old fashion standoff: Backpackers vs. Laos Long Boatsmen. Classic right?

It all ended pretty abruptly when the charming captain exclaimed: “You either get on, or we leave you here.” Well, that’s all we needed to hear! So after all of our troubles over the last day we now had a nice comfortable floor space between the bathroom and the snack stand… Perfect!

The Actual Boat

As you can imagine, the slow boat itself was nothing special. Shoddily put together, these giant floating apparatus’s are packed to the brim with old airplane and bus seats. They even crammed some in the engine room to fit more people!

But hey, you have to make the best out of every situation right? The snack stand we were sitting next to also happened to serve one of Laos biggest national exports, Beer Lao. This deliciously refreshing beverage actually turned out to be one of our favorite beers in the whole world!

After a couple hours, the trip from hell turned into a party on the river. We were on a first named basis with the snack lady, and just about every other traveler aboard. I mean when you’re on a boat from Thailand to Laos with one hundred other backpackers what did you think was gonna happen?

Arriving in Pak Bang

Nine hours and several beers later, we made it to our overnight stop in the small riverside village of Pak Bang. If you don’t have anything booked prior to arrival, DON’T STRESS! There will be plenty of options in Pak Bang, as the whole town seems to survive off these Thailand to Laos boat trips.

The only downside is that Pak Bang is on a steep uphill slant. Luckily, there are plenty of friendly locals that will help you with your bags right there, and even accommodations for a small fee.

Thailand to Laos Day Three

Now don’t get me wrong, the first day on the Mekong River was fun even WITHOUT a seat. Still, you better believe we were the first ones waiting in line the next morning! We showed up almost two hours before take off, and the boat quickly filled up. We definitely had a much more comfortable, relaxed trip as we floated towards our final destination.

The second day on the river is said to be the better of the two scenically, and that definitely proved true. It’s hard to explain our feelings, as we passed dozens of small towns dotted with huts and friendly villagers. The Laos countryside is breathtaking, with green mountains and lush forests. Countless kids and families could be seen playing in the Mekong River, waving happily at every boat going by!

The boat arrived in the late afternoon at a little harbor just outside the main city of Luang Prabang. Once you collect your bags, make your way to the top of the river bank and you’ll run into a sea of tuk tuk taxis. Shockingly, there’s a quite orderly system where you pay for a ticket and hop into a taxi.

Some people chose to make the hour walk into town with all their bags… We decided to pay the $2 USD. If you have to be that cheap at this point you probably shouldn’t be traveling! Anyway, just a quick fifteen minute ride and you’ve made it all the way from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang.

Should You Take a Boat From Thailand to Laos?

Overall, this beautiful disaster was a highlight of our time in Asia. We would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an adventurous way to see all the natural beauty Laos has to offer.

Feel free to comment with your own experiences, or tips for traveling Thailand to Laos by boat!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte & Jake

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Where To Stay In Luang Prabang

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Satri House Secret Retreats – Previously the residence of Prince Souphanouvon, this exclusive retreat is just the getaway you need to enjoy Luang Prabang. Relax by the two outdoor pools when you’re not exploring this amazing riverside town.

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – Royal Peacock Boutique Hotel – Just a 5 minute walk from the national museum and Phousi mountain, the Royal Peacock is in the perfect location for your vacation. Take in the world heritage site which makes up Luang Prabang, while having a clean and refreshing place to stay.

Hostel Life (Budget) – Smile LuangPrabang Hostel – If you took a slow boat from Thailand to Laos you may be more of the adventurous type! If so, check out the smile hostel which is one of the highest rated in Luang Prabang.

For more places to stay in Luang Prabang you can explore the latest prices here!

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