Train Guide to Laos

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) wasn’t really well known for it’s railway network until recently with the opening of the standard gauge Boten-Vientiane railway on 3rd December 2021. Up until then, they only had a cross-border metre-gauge railway that linked Thanaleng Station and Nong Khai Station via the Friendship Bridge. This was opened on 5th March 2009. Unfortunately Thanaleng Station is 20 kilometres east of Vientiane. But they are building a metre-gauge station nearer to the capital.

I haven’t ridden any of the trains in Laos yet and so these are just my notes in preparation for my own trip. In January 2023 I will do a survey trip across the border from Nong Khai to Vientiane. Then in March or April 2023 I plan to ride the high speed trains. If China is fully open by then I will cross that border too.

SHUTTLE TRAIN ACROSS THE FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE

The international shuttle train across the border from Nong Khai Station in Thailand to Thanaleng Station in Laos goes twice daily and costs 20 Baht. It takes only 15 minutes.

Nong Khai Station: No.481 (departs at 7:30am) and No.483 (departs at 2:45pm)
Thanaleng Station: No.482 (departs at 10:00am) and No.484 (departs at 5:30pm)

VISA: Although you can use an e-visa to cross the Friendship Bridge 1 into Laos, I am told that doesn’t work for people who cross the bridge by train and go through Immigration at Thanaleng Station. So get the regular visa on arrival.

If you have any further tips for me, please post them in the comments below. Thanks!