Thailand To Launch Direct Train Route From Bangkok To Vientiane On 19 July
The journey takes approximately 10 to 11 hours.
By Celine Low — 16 Jul 2024, 12:47 PM
A new train route linking Bangkok, Thailand and Vientiane, Laos will officially launch on 19 July
This route connects the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok to Vientiane (Khamsavath) Station in Laos, passing through Nong Khai and the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge.
According to a Facebook post by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), there are two daily round-trip trains available. The journey takes approximately 10 to 11 hours. The train departing Bangkok, Train No. 133, leaves at 9.25pm and arrives in Vientiane at 9.05am the next morning. Meanwhile, the return trip, Train No. 134, leaves Vientiane at 6.25pm and reaches Bangkok at 7.30am the following day.
Passengers must present their passports or border passes for customs and immigration checks at Nong Khai and Khamsavath stations.
A one-way ticket for the overnight journey varies according to cabin class
Here are the prices:
- Third-class fan seat: 281 baht (approximately RM36)
- Second-class air-conditioned seat: 574 baht (approximately RM74)
- Second-class upper bunk with air conditioning: 784 baht (approximately RM101)
- Second-class lower bunk with air conditioning: 874 baht (approximately RM113)
Passengers can book their seats via SRT's ticketing service system, D-Ticket or at ticket booths in all SRT stations. Bookings can be made up to 180 days in advance.
The D-Ticket mobile app is available for both Android and iOS users. Alternatively, you can make bookings on SRT's website.
SRT also partnered up with the Vientiane Transport Operators Association to provide shuttle bus services for travellers
Khamsavath Station is just 7km from the city centre. According to a report by TTR Weekly, passengers can take a bus from the station to downtown Vientiane, with fares costing LAK20,000 (about RM4) for adults.
Additionally, there is another train route that departs from Udon Thani, Thailand, to Khamsavath Station
Like the Bangkok-Laos route, this train service also provides two round-trip trains each day.
According to Thaiger, the schedule for the Udon Thani-Vientiane route is as follows:
- Train No. 147 departs Udon Thani at 4pm and arrives in Vientiane at 5.55pm
- Train No. 148 departs Vientiane at 9.35am and arrives in Udon Thani at 11.25am
Ticket prices are 100 baht (about RM13) for fan-cooled seats and 200 baht (about RM26) for air-conditioned seats.
