thaitransit

Train times: From Bangkok/Korat To Laos.

1. Express 69: Depart Bangkok (Hualamphong) at 20:00 Arriving Nong Khai at 08:25 Depart Nong Khai at 10.00 Tha Nalaeng (Laos) at 10:15. [Overnight Direct Train]

2. Ordinary 415: Depart Korat (Issan) arrive Nong Khai 12:25.
TRANSFER TO
Special Train 913: Depart Nong Khai 16:20 Arrive Tha Nalaeng (Laos) 16:35. [No Connection from Bangkok]

Train times: From Laos to Bangkok/Korat.

1. Express 70: Depart Tha Nalaeng (Laos) at 17:06 Arrive Nong Khai at 17:20 Depart Nong Khai at 18:20 Arriving Bangkok (Hualamphong) at 06:25. [Overnight Direct Train]

2. Special Train 914: Depart Tha Nalaeng (Laos) 10:45 Arrive at Nong Khai 11:00.
TRANSFER TO
Ordinary 418: Depart Nong Khai 13:03 Arrive Korat 19.25.

Train Fares for Cross Border train service.

Prices Valid Between Nong Khai and Tha Nalaeng (Laos) Only.

1. Third Class - 20 baht

2. Second Class Aircon - 80 baht (50 baht for those who take Express 69/70 towards Bangkok).

Prices Valid Between Tha Nalaeng (Laos) and Bangkok Only.

Sleeper or Seats between Bangkok and Nong Khai. Then 2nd class aircon seats between Nong Khai and Tha Nalaeng (Laos).

1. 1st class sleeper - 1267 Baht

2. 2nd class sleeper - 828 Baht.

3. 2nd class aircon seats - 548 Baht.

4. 2nd class non aircon seats - 438 Baht.

5. 3rd class non aircon seats - 278 Baht.

Prices subject to change check with ticket office on purchase of tickets.

Advanced bookings are highly recommended a few days before travel on trains 69 and 70. Bookings can be made at any SRT railway station in Thailand.

thursdaysd

Thanks for the detailed info! However, this - http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009...l_30097244.php - says that service hasn't actually started yet.

Where exactly is Tha Nalaeng?

MichaelBKK

Tha Nalang is just across the bridge - the 30 minute transit time should give you a clue. You still have to grab a taxi for the ride into Vientiane. In the end, it won't be any different that the old way of taking a van to the bridge, the 5-Baht bus across, and grabbing a cab once you get through Lao immigration. In fact, I take it it will be exactly the same, since it seems you might end up going through the same immigration booths.

MaryW

I wonder if it might not be better than the little bus across as its always really full and lugging cases up the steps and onto it is a pain. Maybe the train would be easier.

A friend took one of the trains across from Lao to Bangkok last year when we were there. There were just a couple of weeks of trial runs. He said it worked very well.

Price is similar to the international bus from Udon (or Nong Khai) which is more convenient if you are flying to Udon - goes all the way in to Vientiane.