Hi there

I am about to fly to Thailand (18th Jan, in fact) and I have decided to purcase the Bangkok Airways Discover Airpass. Fantastic deal for getting around Thailand/Cambodia. USD50 within Thailand and USD80 to Siam Riep. I was going to head to Chiang Mai then fly back to siam Riep via BKK. However I would love to go to Laos and was thinking of going overland to Laos then down through Vietnam finally ending up in Siam Riep where I would fly back to BKK.

Can any of you super experienced ones give me some advice on how the overland legs will go? I'm not sure where to even start in getting from Chiang Mai to Vientiane...

Thank you in advance for any answers given.

Depending on how much time you have, you might want to simply fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. Bangkok Air flies from BKK to Luang Prabang. Overland travel in Laos is slow, and there have been incidents (shootings) on some of the main highways in the last year. I'm not an alarmist, but I would suggest that you fly to LP.

i would not consider the overland trips at all...too many uncertainties...
flying makes the most sense unless your time is unlimited...and safety is not a concern....
i just noticed that you are a woman...then i would not consider it at all...sorry this is not sexist....just common sense...

Bangkok airways have a pass that allows you to fly BKK/Luang Prabang/Danang/Siem Reap/BKK for USD285. When you get to Thialnd you could buy it on Khao Sarn Rd-olavi.com is who we used. We saw the pass advertised in BKK air's office in Luang Prabang, which is one glorious place to chill out. Laos is truly wonderful. We flew and did not consider going overland for the extra dollars-too risky!!

Lao Aviation fly between Chiangmai and Vientiane, via Luangprabang on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. I believe that is talk of Thai doing so also, but at the moment their web site only shows flights via Bangkok.

Yes, Lao does make the Chaing Mai Luang Prabang trip. You'll have to decide whether you trust flying with them. They have a bad reputaion - not only for late and cancelled flights, but for poor maintainence of their airplanes and "untoward incidents."