Chiang Mai is popularly chosen as the jumping off point for their travels to Laos and Indochina by many travelers. It is only a 4 hour bus ride away from the Thai boarder town of Chiang Kong. Involving getting yourself stamped out of Thailand crossing the Mekong and then going through Laos’ immigration formalities in the Laos town of Huay Xai, it is a simple immigration process from here. Travel Indochina Laos
Lao – Thai international bus – source: hotsia.com
The Chiang Khong (Thailand), Huay Xai (Laos) crossing is the closest Thai-Lao border crossing to Chiang Mai. This means before being able to get to Laos, you have to get a bus or minivan to Chiang Khong. A direct but slow bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong, which often takes up to eight hours, is your first option.
Getting a bus first taking about three hours to Chiang Rai and then catch another bus take between two and a half and three hours to Chiang Khong, is the second as well as the better option. From early morning till mid afternoon, there are buses every hour between Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong. Tours in Laos
It is advisable to leave Chiang Mai by mid-morning to ensure of getting to Chiang Rai in time to make a connection to Chiang Khong, if you decide to go via Chiang Rai. The earlier you get to Chiang Khong is the earlier you arrive there.
Boat on the Mekong River – source: chichiconut.wordpress.com
Taking a private minibus service from Chiang Mai direct to Chiang Khong is the third option. Many guesthouses in Chiang Mai offer these services whose advantage is that they depart in the evening therefore you can take a full day in Chiang Mai. However, arriving in Chiang Khong at about 3a.m and may be dropped at a decrepit guesthouse for a few hours sleep before crossing to Laos may be their disadvantage.
In summary, getting a bus first to Chiang Rai, then changing for a bus to Chiang Khong is the quickest way to travel between Chiang Mai and Chiang Khong. Depending on the connection in Chiang Rai, the trip should take all up between six and seven hours.
Across the Mekong River, the border towns of Huay Xai and Chiang Khong face each other. Most budgets can find ample accommodation options at both of these places. From 08:00-18:00 daily, the border crossing is open and Lao visa-on-arrival which costs US$30 or 1,500B (for most nationalities) is available. Taking a one minute boat ride across the river is involved in crossing the border. In the center of Huay Xai and at the northern end of Chiang Khong and is a place where the boat lands.
Slow Boat Huay Xai to Luang Prabang – source: barefootchiangmai.com
If you do not want to walk, grab one of the tuk tuks that meet the bus as from where the bus will drop you in Chiang Khong (they are at opposite ends of town), the border crossing is a good 25 minute walk.
There are a few other routes available to go from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, but unless you are planning on stopping along the way, and so are mentioned just for the sake of completeness, they do not really make sense.
Luang Namtha bus station – source: gaeria84.blogspot.com
It is an absolute best case scenario to take an early morning bus ride taking ten to twelve hours from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. Before rolling into Luang Prabang, this routing will take you via Luang Nam Tha, Udomxai and Pakmong.
Chiang Mai is popularly chosen as the jumping off point for their travels to Laos and Indochina by many travelers. It is only a 4 hour bus ride away from the Thai boarder town of Chiang Kong. Involving getting yourself stamped out of Thailand crossing the Mekong and then going through Laos’ immigration formalities in the Laos town of Huay Xai, it is a simple immigration process from here.
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