Which option to choose?
| Option | Duration | Indicative price | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Express night train no. 25 to Nong Khai, then the bridge | about 10 h 20 + 1 to 2 h at the border | €€ (a second-class lower berth was noted at 994 THB by a traveller) | train lovers, saves a hotel night |
| Day train to Nong Khai | longer | € | tight budgets, people with time |
| Night bus Bangkok–Nong Khai then the bridge | to be checked | € to €€ | those who cannot get a train seat |
| Flight Bangkok–Vientiane | to be checked | €€ to €€€ | those in a hurry; check direct flights with the airlines |
Timetables and prices to confirm with the SRT (noted by a traveller and booking sites, late 2025–2026). Long-distance trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat station, not Hua Lamphong.
The night train to Nong Khai
Special Express no. 25 was noted leaving Bangkok around 8:25 pm and reaching Nong Khai around 6:45 am. It offers fan or air-conditioned berths depending on the carriage; the second-class lower berth costs a little more than the upper. Book ahead on the SRT's official ticketing site or at the counter, especially in high season (November to February): berths go fast. Third-party booking sites vary in price and add fees. Compare with our guide to the Bangkok–Chiang Mai night train, whose carriages are similar.
On board, bring a jacket (the air conditioning is strong), a padlock and water. On arrival, Nong Khai station is a few kilometres from the bridge.
Crossing the Friendship Bridge
Several things have changed: the Nong Khai–Thanaleng rail shuttle, which crossed the bridge in about fifteen minutes, reportedly stopped running after 19 July 2024 according to a railway-history site, though other sources still describe it. Check at the station. In any case, shuttle buses cross the bridge; the fare quoted varies by source (20 to 40 THB): ask before boarding. After the Thai formalities (exit stamp), you go through Lao immigration on the Thanaleng side, then a taxi, tuk-tuk or minivan takes you to Vientiane (about 20 km).
A Lao railway line to Vientiane (Khamsavath) station exists, and a through service with Bangkok (rapid 133/134) is mentioned by specialist sources: we could not confirm that it runs. Do not count on it without checking.
Lao visa and formalities
- Visa on arrival: offered at the Friendship Bridge; forums and guides quote about $40 in cash or 1,500 to 2,000 THB. The exact fee depends on nationality: check with the embassy or Laos's official immigration site.
- E-visa: sources disagree on whether it is accepted on the rail route. Plan to pay on the spot or check before leaving.
- Digital form: since 1 September 2025, non-Lao travellers must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) online, within 3 days before travel, to enter via the Friendship Bridge.
- Money: bring cash (dollars or baht) for the visa; there are ATMs in Vientiane. See money, payment and tipping.
- Returning to Thailand: a land entry counts towards the two land entries allowed per calendar year under the 30-day exemption. Details in visas and entry to Thailand. Remember the TDAC before coming back.
Pitfalls
Touts offer a "fast visa" at a higher price or an inflated taxi fare after the bridge. Fix the price before getting in and keep your bags with you: see scams and safety in Bangkok. We did not find a precise GetYourGuide offer for a Vientiane tour, so none is quoted. To sleep: hotels in Vientiane on Booking.com. Regional flights leave from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang: see Bangkok airports.
Frequently asked questions
How long from Bangkok to Vientiane by train? About 10 to 11 hours of night train to Nong Khai, plus one to two hours for the bridge and visa, then about 20 km to the city.
Is the Laos border open? Yes according to the sources consulted in October 2026; check the bridge's hours before you go.
Do you need a visa for Laos? For many nationalities, yes: visa on arrival (about $40 or 1,500 to 2,000 THB according to the sources) or e-visa; also complete the LDIF digital form.
Which station does the train leave from? Krung Thep Aphiwat, Bangkok's central station.
Does the train go all the way to Vientiane? Not confirmed: plan on changing at Nong Khai and crossing the bridge.
