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There are many quick and convenient ways to travel between Thailand and Laos. But for travelers, especially backpackers, they’re often looking for something more unique and authentic. That’s when they discover the slow boat from Thailand to Laos. Sounds new? Let Asia King Travel introduce you to this laid-back journey along the Mekong River.
Taking the slow boat is a favorite experience among backpackers
The "slow boat" refers to a mode of travel by boat between Thailand and Laos along the Mekong River. It’s called “slow” because the journey takes two days. The boat runs for about 7 to 8 hours each day and stops in the evening, allowing travelers to rest overnight on land.
The journey usually starts from the Chiang Khong border crossing in Thailand and heads to Huay Xai in Laos. Travelers can continue the full trip all the way to Luang Prabang. At night, the boat stops at the village of Pak Beng in Laos, where passengers find their own accommodation and resume the journey at 8 a.m. the next morning.
This is the way local people travel to transport large numbers of passengers across the river
The slow boat is usually a long, single-deck vessel with fairly basic amenities, and can carry up to 70-100 people. The seats are often repurposed from old car seats. When you buy a ticket with an assigned number, you’re expected to sit in that exact seat.
Before the journey begins, you'll go through immigration either on the Thai side in Chiang Khong or the Lao side in Huay Xai. A bridge over the Mekong River connects the two border checkpoints. You are required to purchase a bus ticket to cross to the other side, walking across the bridge is not allowed.
Once you've crossed into the other country, all you need to do is fill out an arrival form. Friendly immigration officers will assist you with the entire process. After finishing all the paperwork, you are allowed to cross the Thailand-Laos border on a slow boat.
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Local Boat Ticket: This budget-friendly option costs around 300,000 Kip or 450 Baht (approximately USD 14). Tickets can be purchased directly at the Huay Xai pier or in Luang Prabang. However, it only includes the boat ride, no additional services are provided.
Budget Tour Package: Priced between USD 60–80, this package includes transportation from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai to Huay Xai, the boat ticket, and assistance with the border crossing. It’s a great hassle-free choice for backpackers.
Alternatively, you can buy separate tickets for each leg of the journey: from Luang Prabang to Pak Beng for 110,000 Kip, and then from Pak Beng to Huay Xai the next day for 120,000 Kip. This option saves you not a huge amount, but it gives you more flexibility with your schedule. For example, if you happen to sleep past 8 a.m. in Pak Beng, or if you fall in love with the place and decide to stay an extra day to explore, this option gives you that freedom.
Sharing travel memories while gazing at the Mekong River
First, a local bus from Chiang Rai to the Chiang Khong border costs approximately 70 Baht (around USD 2). From the Chiang Khong intersection, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk to the border itself, which usually costs 50 Baht per person (about USD 1.50).
To cross the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, you must take a mandatory shuttle bus that costs around 35 Baht per person (roughly USD 1). Once you reach the Lao side, a visa on arrival will cost approximately USD 40. Payment must be made in cash, and most major currencies are accepted, including euros, US dollars, Lao kip, or Thai baht. There’s also an ATM available at the border if you need it.
After completing immigration, you’ll need another shuttle from the border to the boat pier, which costs about 100 Baht per person (USD 3). Slow boat tickets purchased directly at the pier cost around 200,000 Kip (for the journey to Pak Beng only) or 300,000 Kip if you're going all the way to Luang Prabang for about USD 9 to USD 14, depending on your destination.
If you’re stopping overnight in Pak Beng, basic dorm-style accommodation starts from approximately USD 10 per night.
Starting from Chiang Mai, you’ll take a bus to the Chiang Rai bus station, then catch another bus to the Chiang Khong border checkpoint to complete the exit procedures for entering Laos. The process can take quite a bit of time, so it’s best to set off before sunrise.
The boat usually departs from Huay Xai around 10:30 AM (often later than the time printed on your ticket) and travels straight to Pak Beng, arriving in the late afternoon. This is the perfect time to soak in the scenery along the Mekong River and observe the way of life of the local people.
Chiang Khong Border Checkpoint
Population density in Laos is quite low, so you’ll only occasionally spot small riverside villages with simple stilt houses, water buffalo resting in the shade, and a peaceful rural atmosphere. Every time the boat passes, children wave with bright smiles. When the boat docks, they often gather at the pier, curiously watching the foreign visitors with wide, fascinated eyes.
The boat stops for the night in Pak Beng at around 5 PM. Passengers disembark to find a place to stay overnight. Some accommodation options recommended by Asia King Travel include Pak Beng Guesthouse, Le Grand Pak Beng, and Monsavanh Guesthouse. While there isn't much nightlife in Pak Beng, the food is absolutely delicious. Don’t miss the chance to try the local sausage!
The scenery in Pak Beng
The journey resumes at 8 AM the next morning. At this point, seating is open, so be sure to arrive early to grab the best spot. While the scenery may look similar to the day before, the upper stretches of the Mekong River feel more wild like the boat pushes upstream through small rapids. Along the way, the boat passes by Pak Ou Caves, a famous tourist attraction near Luang Prabang.
In the afternoon, the boat arrives on the outskirts of Luang Prabang, marking the end of the two-day slow boat journey from Thailand to Laos. Taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available at the pier to take you into the city, where your Laos holiday can continue.
Be sure to buy your ticket early so you can choose a front-row seat, it’s quieter and offers a better view. Avoid seats at the back near the engine and the restroom. If you’re unlucky, you might end up in a spot where the boat’s side wall is higher than your head, blocking the view entirely.
The boat runs continuously without stopping for lunch, so be sure to bring enough food and drinks for the entire day. While some snacks are available onboard, they’re mostly instant noodles, tea, and coffee. The prices are relatively high also. Don’t forget to restock and bring plenty of food with you when boarding again on the second day after leaving Pak Beng.
Sometimes, you’ll come across children selling souvenirs at reasonable prices, consider supporting them by buying a little something
The immigration procedures can take quite a bit of time, so it’s best to complete them a day before boarding the boat. That way, you won’t have to wake up too early on the day of departure.
Avoid buying or exchanging anything while you're on the boat. Some vendors will use sweet talk to convince you to buy e-SIMs or book accommodation in Pak Beng, but most of these offers are scams - overpriced and often not what was promised. Also, don’t exchange money at the border, as the exchange rates are usually unfavorable.
The slow boat from Thailand to Laos is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the peaceful life along the Mekong River. If you have a bit of extra time, give the slow boat a try, it’s sure to be a memorable experience. Asia King Travel is ready to help you create this unique and enjoyable journey.
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