Topic: Slow boat

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.

Chiang Mai → Luang Prabang

The direct Lao Airlines flight takes about an hour; overland packages sold from Chiang Mai (van to Chiang Khong, border, Lao sleeper bus) take 20–24 hours for ฿1,450–1,820; the three-day slow-boat route via Chiang Khong and Pakbeng is the classic. What each costs, and which suits which traveller.