Kayiwa · · 5 min read
You can take a train from Bangkok to Vientiane without changing in Nong Khai, and it is the easiest way into Laos from Thailand. A direct sleeper leaves Bangkok in the evening and reaches the Laotian capital the next morning. This page explains the timetable, the fares, how to book, what happens at the border and which visa you will need, so you know exactly what to expect.
I took this route for the channel, and it is the start of the Laos guide’s itinerary for anyone coming overland.
The short version
- The train. Number 133 runs daily. It leaves Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat station at 21:25, stops at Nong Khai at 07:55 for 40 minutes while everyone goes through Thai exit checks, and arrives at Vientiane Khamsavath station at 09:05. That is about 11 hours 40 minutes in total.
- The direct service is new. Until 2024 trains from Thailand stopped at Thanaleng, 13 km short of Vientiane. A direct Bangkok to Vientiane sleeper started in July 2024, and older guides still describe the old arrangement.
- Book ahead. Sleeper berths sell out. Tickets are mobile e-tickets.
Fares and classes
The direct train has one air-conditioned second-class sleeping car, one air-conditioned second-class seating car and two non-air-conditioned third-class seating cars.
| Class | Baht | ≈ US$ | ≈ € | ≈ £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd-class AC sleeper, upper berth | ฿784 | $23 | €21 | £18 |
| 2nd-class AC sleeper, lower berth | ฿874 | $26 | €23 | £20 |
| 2nd-class AC seat | ฿574 | $17 | €15 | £13 |
| 3rd-class seat, no AC | ฿281 | $8 | €7 | £6 |
Children under four travel free, and those aged four to eleven pay half. The sleeper is the usual choice for the overnight journey. If you want a first-class compartment, the alternative is the Bangkok to Nong Khai sleeper (train 25) and a separate short train across the bridge to Vientiane.
How to book
You have three options.
- A booking agent. 12Go Asia and Baolau accept overseas cards and multiple currencies, and you board with an e-ticket on your phone.
- The State Railway of Thailand. The official booking site is dticket.railway.co.th. It sells tickets in baht only and can be awkward on a phone.
- At the station. Possible, but the sleepers can be full, so do not count on it.
One report says tickets on this route can be booked up to 180 days ahead. Book as soon as you have fixed your date.
The border crossing, step by step
- Board in Bangkok. Get to Krung Thep Aphiwat early, find the platform and your carriage, and settle in.
- Overnight. The sleeper cars have berths made up for the night.
- Nong Khai. The train stops for about 40 minutes. Everyone gets off with their passport and goes through Thai exit immigration on the platform. The carriages are then moved to the far end of the platform, so check which end to board.
- Across the Mekong. The train crosses the Friendship Bridge into Laos.
- Vientiane. You get off at Khamsavath station and go through Laos passport control. That is where you pay for the visa if you are buying it on arrival.
- Into town. The station is about 7 km from the city centre. A metered taxi should be roughly 80,000 to 100,000 kip, about $4 to 5, though a hotel arrangement costs more.
On the way back, arrive at Vientiane station 45 to 60 minutes before departure, because Laos exit formalities happen at the station before you board.
The Laos visa
- E-visa. Citizens of the US, the UK and EU countries need a visa. You can buy an e-visa at laoevisa.gov.la, and it is accepted for entry by train from Thailand at Vientiane.
- On arrival. A 30-day visa costs about US$40 in cash, and needs a passport photo. My Laos guide lists $30 to 42 depending on passport. US dollar notes must be in perfect condition, so bring crisp ones.
- Exit fee. There is a 10,000 kip or 40 baht fee when you leave Laos, paid in cash.
If you are coming back through Thailand
Thailand changed its visa-free stay to 30 days on 15 September 2026, and entries under that exemption at land checkpoints are generally limited to two a year. If your plan is Bangkok to Laos and back to Thailand overland, count that return as one of your land entries. The details are in what changed for visas in September 2026.
Where to go in Laos
Vientiane is low-key and worth one night, not three. From there the new Laos to China railway makes Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang a matter of hours rather than days. The Laos guide lays out a 14-day route, what it costs, what to eat and where to base yourself. If you want to try the food first, watch the five must-eat bites in Vientiane.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Bangkok to Laos?
Yes. Train 133 runs daily from Bangkok to Vientiane Khamsavath station, leaving in the evening and arriving the next morning.
How long does the train from Bangkok to Vientiane take?
About 11 hours 40 minutes, including a 40-minute stop at Nong Khai for Thai exit checks.
How much is the train from Bangkok to Vientiane?
In June 2026 the second-class air-conditioned sleeper was ฿784 for an upper berth and ฿874 for a lower berth, which is about $23 to 26, or €21 to 23. A seat in third class was ฿281.
Do I need a visa for Laos if I take the train?
Americans, Brits and EU citizens need a visa. You can buy an e-visa online, or pay about US$40 in cash on arrival at Vientiane.
Where do I book the Bangkok to Vientiane train?
Through a booking agent such as 12Go Asia or Baolau, or on the State Railway of Thailand website, which sells tickets in baht only.
Sources
- Seat61: Overland to Vientiane and Luang Prabang
- State Railway of Thailand ticketing
- Laos e-visa (official)
Information checked against June 2026 timetables. Train times, fares and visa rules change, so confirm before you travel.