Chiang Rai → Chiang Khong / Huay Xai
The red local bus from Chiang Rai Terminal 1 runs to Chiang Khong every hour or so for ฿65–90, about 2 hours; then a ฿150 tuk-tuk to Friendship Bridge 4, the ฿20 shuttle across, Lao visa on arrival, and a tuk-tuk into Huay Xai for the 11:00 slow boat (฿900 at the pier, 2 days to Luang Prabang). Every step with prices.
ThailandLaosChiang RaiChiang Khong