Chiang Mai OR Luang Prabang
 

Here are the parameters:
We're trying to figure what to do for the last leg of our 3 week trip...

We'll have spent 3 days in Bangkok
9 days in Myanmar (Yangon, bagan, inle)

THEN...

THIS IS WHAT I need your help with:

we need to decide to either
A) Take overnight train from Bangkok to Non Khai then into Vietienne to catch bus to Luang Prabang to stay for 4 or 5 nights then head back to bangkok and home
OR
B) Take overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and spend 4 or 5 nights there then back to BKK and home.

Chiang Mai or LP?

I can go either way. My partner loves scenery and "wow" moments of vistas and cool things.

I'm a writer so will need a quiet place to write a couple of hours a day.

Budget is also somewhat important. But we're not backpacking.

Help... Thanks

Luang Prabang will be a better choice.

Why only those 2 choices?

Lots of other scenic places. Some of them are only a few hours by road from Bangkok.

Because those are the places we'd like to go. Also, if I didn't mention, we're traveling Aug 6-26

I enjoyed both LP and CM, but loved LP. It's a nice small town to kick back and take it easy while still having things to see and places to go. Obviously there are parts of CM that are quieter, but in general I thought LP a quieter, less busy town.

Luang Prabagn, no question.

Oops - Luang Prabang

I agree with everyone else; I liked Chiang Mai, but LOVED Luang Prabang. It's beautifully-sited, with some lovely sights but it's the ambience that makes it so special. I squeezed it into my own trip and am SO glad we spent a few days there. I could've easily stayed longer, too.

Best to fly there. Long trip by rail and road.

August is rainy season and normally the wettest month.

can't imagine subjecting myself to either land arrangement..

LP is the far better overall..

LP can be expensive to fly to but well worth it... use Bangkok air

Laos roads arent good. If there is heavy rain the road trip could be delayed. Id fly or go elsewhere in August. Lots of other scenic spots.

Thanks! This is really helping. We were just discussing maybe doing the overnight train on 18th to Chiang Mai, staying the 19th then flying to LP on 20th. Stay LP 20,21,22,23, then fly back to CM on afternoon of 23 for overnight train back to BKK. We fly out early to NYC on 26th.

Crazy? Smart? Trying to save the $330 rt flight from BKK and maybe see a little CM.

Let me know

Not much to see in CM. Attractions are outside town. CM has temples but no better than Bangkok and crawling with tourists.

Kanchanaburi has better scenary than CM and easy to reach.

Sleeper berths on overnight trains between BKK/CM and visa versa, plus BKK/Nong Khai can get snapped up quickly by tour groups block-booking. So get in early, you can purchase up to 60 days before travel.

We've done the overnight sleeper to Nong Khai before crossing the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane. But Nong Khai itself is a great destination as it sits right on The Meekong. And Vientiane is also worth a couple of nights.

Vientiane is a long way by road from Luang Prabang, and to do it in one shot will take about 12 hours, more if there's a lot of rain, and definitely don't try doing it by road overnight. So it's a good idea to stop overnight in Vang Vieng. In fact, Vang Vieng is in a beautiful spot, and worth lingering too.

If it were me - and it isn't - I'd aim to spend as much time as possible in Luang Prabang and as little time as possible in Chiang Mai. After your time in Myanmar, I think CM will be a disappointment.

Tht's not something I would enjoy doing as you are in and out of CM. Basically you get to CM, spend the night and fly out. Where are you saving the airfare? I'm not clear on your flights. How much is it costing to fly from CM to LP? Is $330 the RT airfare from BKK to LP?

It's funny how some places seem to cause strong polar opposite opinions -- some hate CM and other love it. If you read about it in tour books or on TRs on this site I think you can get a good idea what it's like and decide if it's a place you might like.

Funny, for me, I neither loved it or hated it. It was VERY crowded when we were there, so that probably added to my reaction, but I had gone there expecting to love it and didn't. Of course, this was during the early days of the BKK Shutdown, and many people went straight to CM to avoid BKK (their misfortune!).

I liked CM enough for a one-time visit, but don't have a need to return.

Helpful helpful helpful! Especially the comment putting it in context with the rest of our Myanmar/BKK trip. We're also closing the journey with at least one more full day in BKK.

That sounds good. Have a wonderful time!

you waste sooooo much time on the uncomfortable trains...

fly from bkk to LP and be done with it... $$ very well spent...

bkk air used to have a nyc office???

Really, I agree with rhkkmk (Bob). You will be so drained by the traveling that it could impact your pleasure - for me it would, anyway. Flying is quick and easy, and as Bob says, worth the money.

Done!! Found a flight rt from BKK to LP for about 258. CM next time!

Great!

Great! You will enjoy LP, I'm sure!

I think the reason CM polarises people is its really touristy. Some people love easy access to western things while others go to Asia for the differences.

Same with Phuket and Samui. They are very westernised.

A First Class sleeper berth on an overnight train in Thailand isn't uncomfortable. And it's not expensive.

Nor is it wasting time, because you are travelling through the night. You [should] wake up fresh, watch the world go by as you eat breakfast on the train for an hour or so, and you're there in a new destination, ready to go.

If you can sleep. Last time i took a sleeper train got 2 hrs sleep max. Noisy and not that comfortable.

Ear plugs do the trick, and avoiding alcohol before kick-off.

Great! Hope you have a wonderful trip.

LL--how are the bathrooms??? just like home I bet..

good move, you will be pleased with your choice in the long run.. what airline??

rhkkmk - They're all part of the adventure. One shower and loo at either end of the carriage is fine by me. I've been in some awful bathrooms on aircraft.

I am always mystified when people suggest that they are taking a train in Thailand...

reviews are never very positive and some are quite scary, i.e. theft attempts in the middle of the night...

to each his own, I guess

Every sleeper train is full. So every now and then someone will have something stolen, or someone will have had too much to drink and be a nuisance.
It happens on all modes of transport.
1st Class sleepers are lockable 2-Berth cabins, comfortable, and inexpensive.

Trains are for backpackers and those on a tight budget.

Far better to fly for several reasons.

Here is the comparison:

Fly
Check into hotel
Have a swim or shower
Have dinner
Get a massage
Have a few beers
Walk around the new destination at night
Watch tv or have a shag
Sleep
Wake up feeling good
Have a shower
Go out exploring

Or
Sit on a long boring train
Sleep 2 hrs
Feel terrible the next day
Go to hotel and hope they have a room ready
Shower
Eat
Sleep the day out to recover

No contest!

Flying. Already bought our tickets thanks :)

Good posting blairfell, I don't have to beat myself up now!