Nong Khai to Vientiane — Train ฿70 Across the Bridge, International Bus ฿122, Tuk-tuk and Border Steps (September 2026)
The morning train from Nong Khai crosses the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane Khamsavath in 30 minutes for ฿70 (third class) or ฿120 (air-con); the Naluang international bus goes to Talat Sao in the city centre for ฿122 four times a day; or do it yourself by tuk-tuk, the ฿20 bridge bus and a Lao taxi. Every step, with the visa.
Quick answer: two trains a day cross the bridge from Nong Khai station — 08:35 → 09:05 and 17:25 → 17:55 — ฿70 third class, ฿120 second-class air-con, with Thai exit stamps on the platform and Lao immigration at Khamsavath. The Naluang international bus (07:30, 10:00, 15:30, 18:00, ฿122, 1.5 hours) is the one that goes into the city centre. Get the e-visa first or bring US$40.
The route in numbers
| Nong Khai → Vientiane | checked September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Distance | 25 km: 3 km from town to the Friendship Bridge, 1 km of bridge, 20 km to the centre |
| Train | 08:35 → Khamsavath 09:05 · 17:25 → 17:55 · ฿70 third class, ฿120 second-class air-con · Khamsavath is 7 km from the centre |
| International bus (Naluang) | Nong Khai bus station → Vientiane Talat Sao · 07:30, 10:00, 15:30, 18:00 · ฿122 · 1.5 h including the border |
| Van (RG Adventure) | 10:30, 13:00 · ฿170 to the bridge, ฿408 through to the city |
| Do it yourself | tuk-tuk to the bridge ฿100–150 · bridge bus ฿20–30 · Lao taxi/tuk-tuk to the centre 100,000–150,000 kip |
| Visa | Lao e-visa (laoevisa.gov.la) or on arrival, about US$40 cash + $1 after 16:00 and at weekends · photo required |
Option 1: the train
Since 2024 Thai trains run across the bridge to Vientiane Khamsavath station. From Nong Khai the crossing is 30 minutes and costs less than a coffee.
- 08:35 is the through sleeper from Bangkok (train 133) after its 40-minute stop; 17:25 is the afternoon service (train 75, the day railcar). Both are on the 12Go listing at ฿70 (third class, fan) and ฿120 (second-class air-con seats).
- Before boarding, go through Thai exit immigration on the Nong Khai platform — the train waits, but be at the station 30 minutes early.
- At Khamsavath, Lao immigration is in the station building. E-visa holders are through in minutes; visa on arrival needs the form, a passport photo and US$40 in cash (cheaper than paying in baht), plus $1 after 16:00 and at weekends. The 09:05 arrival coincides with a full Bangkok train, so the queue can take 30–45 minutes.
- Khamsavath is 7 km east of the centre: metered taxis 80,000–100,000 kip, tuk-tuks similar, Loca (the Lao ride app) works. Hotel cars quote 300,000 kip.
The train is the cheapest and the most predictable crossing; its only drawback is that it does not go into town.
Option 2: the international bus
Naluang's Thai–Lao international bus leaves Nong Khai bus station at 07:30, 10:00, 15:30 and 18:00 for ฿122 and ends at Talat Sao (Morning Market) bus station in the middle of Vientiane, 1.5 hours including the border. Everyone gets off at both checkpoints with their bags; the bus waits. Buy at the station counter (passport needed) or online. It is the only option that lands you in the centre without a second vehicle.
Option 3: doing it yourself
For anyone who wants to leave whenever they like.
- Nong Khai town → Friendship Bridge: tuk-tuk ฿100–150, 10 minutes. Songthaews run the same road for ฿30 if you are patient.
- Thai exit, then the bridge shuttle bus, ฿20–30, mandatory — no walking across. Runs continuously in daylight, every 15–20 minutes.
- Lao immigration on the far side, as above.
- Border → Vientiane centre: 20 km. Taxis at the border ask 100,000–150,000 kip (฿170–250) for the car, shared tuk-tuks less per person; the public bus 14 from the border to Talat Sao runs every 30–60 minutes for about 10,000 kip and takes 45 minutes — the budget answer.
Total about 1.5–2 hours and ฿250–400 solo, less shared.
Which one for you
- Arriving on the Bangkok sleeper → stay on it; it is going to Khamsavath anyway.
- Staying in Nong Khai, want the city centre → Naluang bus.
- Cheapest possible, no fixed time → tuk-tuk, bridge bus, bus 14.
- Returning to Thailand → Talat Sao buses back to Nong Khai and Udon Thani; train 134 leaves Khamsavath 09:35; a 10,000 kip exit tax is collected at Lao departure.
Where to stay
Compare hotels and guesthouses along this route (prices change by season; check the live price on the booking page): Vientiane · Nong Khai
Sources and last check
Checked 15 September 2026 against: 12Go listings for Nong Khai → Vientiane (train and bus times and fares); seat61.com's Laos page (updated 6 June 2026) for the border procedure, visa fees, exit tax and Khamsavath taxi prices. Tuk-tuk, bridge-bus and Lao bus 14 fares are traveller-reported figures, not official tariffs.