BANGKOK, 16 July 2024: A test run for the new cross-border rail service linking Bangkok to Vientiane was successfully conducted on Saturday, 13 July, Thailand’s National News Bureau (NNT) reported on Sunday. This will pave the way for the official launch of passenger services this Friday.
Advance bookings opened on 10 July. The inaugural train ride will depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok this Friday at 2125. The train will reach the Vientian terminal station at 0905 on the following morning.
Travellers have a range of ticket options for the overnight journey, with prices varying by cabin class: THB281 for a third-class fan seat; THB 574 for a second-class air-conditioned seat; THB784 for a second-class upper bunk with air conditioning; and THB874 for a second-class lower bunk with air conditioning. Passengers can book their seats up to 180 days in advance at any railway station in Thailand.
Jason Rolan, a travel expert based in Laos and admin of the Facebook group Tourism Professionals Laos, previewed Vientiane’s new Khamsavath Railway Station, the new terminal station on the Bangkok-Vientiane line.
He notes that there are “signs for Lao immigration and visa on arrival, but I’m not sure if they will be available for the first commercial train service,” which will arrive early in the morning of 20 July.
“There’s a ticket window selling rides on the Laos-China Railway,” but to transfer between Vientiane Khamsavath Station and the Lao-China Railway station, you must take a bus or taxi. There is no rail track between the two stations.
“Contrary to initial speculation, there is no Thai immigration in Khamsavath station, so all passengers must disembark at the Thai Lao Friendship Bridge Nong Khai for arrival procedures.”
In a separate post, he confirms that a new bus service operates between Khamsavath station and downtown Vientiane, meeting the train from Bangkok at 0930-0940. The fare for adults is LAK20,000.
Khamsavath Railway Station is located in Nonvai Village, Xaysetha district, Vientiane. It’s the second Vientiane railway station on the Thailand-Laos Northeastern Line, located 7.5 km (4.7 mi) from the former terminus, Thanaleng station. Starting on 19 July, the line will provide a direct train service connecting the two capitals via Nong Khai and the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge, spanning the Mekong River and terminating at Khamsavath station, 7 km from the city centre.
(SOURCE; NNT and additional information from Tourism Professionals Laos).
Anyone still interested in the Bangkok Vientiane direct train can look up Richard Barrows first hand experience as one of its first passengers. Very interesting, there are all the details/ tickets/ tips and advice in his recital.
Yes, Richard presents the details following his trip on the first train. His website: https://www.richardbarrow.com/
Hi again, I’m quite sure Richard Barrow will be checking out all the plus and minus points very soon. It’s early days , so let’s hope it will become an interesting trip with not too much hassle.
Is there an online visa service for Laos which would avoid leaving the train at the Bridge ( what if you have luggage) maybe queuing for a long time depending on the number of passengers and eventual problems, then re entering the train to continue the journey ?
Will there also be a special bus service from the train station and into Vientiane center ( or a hotel drop off ) as a common complaint is the taxi service in Vientiane and their hiked fares ?
Those are excellent points. I’m not sure if customer-related issues are being considered by the people running the rail service, stations, and immigration matters. There was considerable talk about having a one-stop, one-shop concept at bridge borders to cut queues.