Travel from Hanoi to Bangkok via Vientiane

The best overland route from Hanoi in Vietnam to Bangkok in Thailand is to travel via Vientiane in Laos. The first stage of the journey is to travel by bus from Hanoi to Vientiane. From Vientiane you then make a short journey across the border to Nong Khai Railway Station. The second stage of the journey from Nong Khai to Bangkok can be completed by bus although the most comfortable and stress free option to book a sleeper seat on an overnight train from Nong Khai to Bangkok.

Stage 1: Hanoi to Vientiane

The first stage of the overland journey from Hanoi to Bangkok is the longest part of the journey. By bus the journey from Hanoi to Vientiane takes between 22 and 24 hours. On arrival in Vientiane most people to book into a hotel or guesthouse in Vientiane before travelling onward the next day. You can continue the journey the same day but after a full day on a bus a night you will most likely want to take a shower and spend a night relaxing in a proper bed before travelling any further.

Bus Times from Hanoi to Vientiane

There are currently 3 direct bus services a day from Hanoi to Vientiane available to book online.

Buy Tickets from Hanoi to Vientiane

Use the Search Box below to buy your tickets from Hanoi to Vientiane.

Grouptour Hanoi Bus Stop

Grouptour bus services depart from from outside the Grouptour office at No. 16 Hang Chinh Street.

Stage 2: Nong Khai to Bangkok

You have two options for travel from Nong Khai to Bangkok: bus and train. By direct bus it takes 10 hours 50 minutes, and by train it takes from 8 hours 40 minutes to 10 hours 40 minutes depending upon which train service you take. What we recommend is that you book a sleeper berth on the evening train which has the advantage of either allowing you some time in the morning to look around Vientiane (if you stay in Vientiane for a night ) before travelling to Nong Khai to board the train, or if you are in a real rush to get to Bangkok you have time to get from Vientiane to Nong Khai the same day as the the bus from Hanoi arrives.

Travel to Nong Khai Train Station

There are two ways to travel the 24 km from Vientiane to Nong Khai train station. The first option is to take a bus or minivan all the way from Vientiane to Nong Khai. This option involves crossing the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and is the quickest way to get from Vientiane to Nong Khai. The bridge border crossing is open from 06:00 to 22:00.

The other way to travel from Vientiane to Nong Khai Railway Station is to take a bus or a minivan to Dongphosy Railway Station, which is 22 km from Vientiane. There are two trains a day from Dongphosy Railway Station to Nong Khai Railway Station at 10:00 and 17:30. The journey time by train is 15 minutes and tickets cost 20 THB for 3rd class and 30 THB for 2nd class. The main benefits of using the train are the shorter queues at immigration and arrival directly on the platform at Nong Khai Railway Station means less far to carry your bags.

Train Times from Nong Khai to Bangkok

There currently 3 direct train services a day from Nong Khai to Bangkok which can book online.

Buy Tickets from Nong Khai to Bangkok

• Click on the link to buy your train tickets from Nong Khai to Bangkok.

Nong Khai Train Station

Trains to Bangkok depart from Nong Khai Train Station.

Bangkok Train Station

Trains from Bangkok terminate at Bangkok’s new main train terminal, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.