How to Cross the border between Bangkok Thailand and Vientiane Laos via Train 69

TRAIN 69 

BOUND FOR VIENTIANE

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Back then I have always envisioned to be in Laos. 

By the 10th of August, I have arrived safely in this country which happens to be a very special day for me,  my 33rd birthday. I totally feel grateful that I have made it happen to be able to discover another new destination as I am blessed with another year.
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Finding train stations was one of our challenges since it is our first time for a train ride in Thailand.

Since we are flying in and out from Bangkok to get to Vientiane, we needed to get our train tickets right away upon arrival in Thailand. 

In this tight schedule, we have decided to get a round trip train ticket online, an advanced purchase via https://12go.asia/en - the site that provided specific guidelines on claiming.

Following instructions from noted blogs, we went straight to Railway Terminal finding the ticketing agency office. As soon as we arrived at Bangkok Train Station we were reassured and entertained straight away. We presented our passports and yes it was a success we got our train tickets! 

We knew we paid a more expensive ticket, but it’s what we needed most for our main goal to be in Laos the following day.

How to get to Hua Lamphong Station or Bangkok Railway >>>>>

Read more about Bangkok Railway Station.

Certainly, https://12go.asia/en is Legit!

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We had chosen the overnight 2nd class sleeper train 69, very familiar to all backpackers that goes to the Northeastern Line of Thailand in Nong Khai Bangkok and Thanaleng Laos via Friendship Bridge.

Train 69 will be our initial accommodation for our 1st official night of backpacking, 24 hrs since we departed the Philippines. 

I long to spend a good night sleep for this journey and rest my legs and prepare myself for a big day the following morning.

This is my first ever train ride experience, a birthday ride crossing borders between 2 countries.

I had always been anticipating to do this, instead of having the common bus ride which I have done in my past trips and cost nearly the same.

This border crossing invites me more to travel; confident to come back and visits other fascinating places in Thailand, soon with this much ease of access in transportation.

Upper and lower berth

Credits and Big Thanks to Seat61.com for a very detailed guide about the whole journey.

 TRAIN TICKET COST 

Online Booking Via 12go Asia 

Baht	PhP	USD
998.96	1303	27.84
Additional Cost: 30 Baht - Train to Thanaleng LAOS 150 Baht - Van to VNT City Center

TRAIN 69 

BOUND FOR VIENTIANE

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• Try to find your assigned seat as early as 1 hour before departure time (8PM).
• Train Tickets will be inspected shortly after the train has departed so make sure to keep it.
• Train personnel will start disassembling the Sleeper beds within 2 hours of departure.
• Sleeper beds are comfortable enough with good mattress in it.
• Train 69 has a restaurant available so you can order food (Rates around 180 Baht up )
• Smoking Area is available
• Toilet rooms are available and going to the restroom is a challenge for your body balance. 
• It has a centralized air-condition system so it gets too cold at night especially at the upper berth as mentioned by a Norwegian bunkmate, adding that it is better to get the lower bunk plus you also get the window view.
• Train Engine Noise is bearable but it adds up to that thrilling part with some parts a little bumpy. I just tried to imagine that these are moments that it can get a little dramatic riding the old fashioned way - the once we usually see on TV and movies. The next day you wake up and you are on the other side of the world.
• No internet and no TV so it will be a solitude sweet night and it depends on how you manage it.
• Train stops for specific duration in each designated station to pick up some passengers.
• Total Train ride is more or less 12 hours reaching Vientiane City Center.
• Bring in some food for midnight snacks since meals in the restaurant will be a little expensive.
• Make sure to bring in some extra money with you (baht) for transportation expenses and immigration fees. Read further below on the additional cost that we incurred until we reached Vientiane.

while waiting for the sunrise

• You know you are nearing Nong Khai Border when you get to see a vast area of land mass as the sun rises. We talked about it with my bunkmate while observing the scenery and there are no houses at all. It’s like an abandoned area, much enormous when you go on a North Trip to Luzon.
• Foggy Colorful Sunrise keeps you awake until you reach the border.

CROSSING THE BORDERS 

between 

NONG KHAI and THANALENG

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Nong Khai Train Station

Nong Khai THAILAND Border

• Train 69 will have a full stop here.
• All passengers will have to disembark from the train.
• Drop by the main counter:
• If you want to buy ticket in advance going back to BKK.
• If you need a ticket going straight to Vientiane Center.
• Cost of 300 Baht (Includes both Train and Car service).
• If you will just ride the International Train that crosses Nong Khai Station and Thanaleng Border.
• Cost 20 Baht (Train Service, the full stop at Thanaleng Train station).
• Proceed to Immigration checking exiting Thailand.

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Options going to Thanaleng LAOS:

• Hire a TUKTUK
• Avail of the $300Baht - train and car service in Nong Khai counter
• Ride the International Train33 for $20 Baht (more or less 10minutes crossing), the full stop at Thanaleng. Then hire another Transport service going to the city center.

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OUR WAY

Thanaleng Train Station

Thanaleng LAOS border via Train 33 + VAN

• We preceded our trip via International Train 33
• The train waited for a few minutes for travelers finishing the immigration checking
• Cross Nong Khai and Thanaleng border via Friendship bridge railway
• Full stop at Thanaleng LAOS Railway Station
• Proceed with Immigration checking entering LAOS (less crowded).
• Free for ASEAN members and includes 30 days visa-free stay.
• Visa Fees apply for other nationalities.
• We didn’t fill out any form but the officer collected $40 baht
• Rode a Van to sending us to City Center, we haggled and got it at 100 Baht.

Vans are lined up beside Thanaleng Immigration building. 
Haggle is the key!

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 Note:

• We had a different route going back and it was really confusing for us.
• We went to Laos Central Bus Station and rode a small shuttle at (15,000kip)..
• Full stop at Thanaleng immigration checking border. The bus operator doesn’t speak English nor any passengers. Good thing one local overheard us asking, advised for us to stop from here if we need to cross Nong Khai.
• Get free Exit Pass
• Proceed to Immigration Checking Counter Exiting LAOS.
• We paid (6000 kip) plus (4000 kip) which includes a bus ride to Nong Khai Immigration Control. 
• Que in and ride another small shuttle bus
• Full stop at Nong Khai immigration control for immigration checking entering Thailand.
•  Immigration allowed 14 days stay in Thailand 
• From here we rode a tuktuk to completely send us back to Nong Khai Train station for another overnight journey. ( I will write a separate entry for this trail). 

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  THANK YOU TRAIN 69

LAOS I am ready for YOU!