KA
Kristafer AHonestly a bus is a bus, however the staff for this journey went above and beyond anything that I expected as a customer.
Specifically, Ya, and her small team were able to make sure that I understood and you transferred or changes in the journey so I'm really very happy.
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), 15 ago 2026
JG
Jules GThe organization was good and quite clear, they really take care of you, and you cannot loose yourself. The issue is they promise you to get you to Chiang Mai at 6:00 am and they give you bus ticket on which it's written that the bus arrives at 8:40... Just let know customers the real time so they can chose wisely their options! Also mentioning the bus company would be good -
The bus was really late (which is not their fault) and summed up in 4 hours delay which cancel my plans on arrival.
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Estándar, Family Service (Family Service), 11 ago 2026
BR
Brandon RI thought the customer service from this company was great. They called day of to make sure I needed a ride to the pickup point. Every bit was smooth grabbed me from the hotel. They showed up at the bridge once I was done with immigration, and at every point made sure to tell me which bus plus where to get off. Amazing.
The ride on the other hand was terrible the seating was way too cramped, and an uncomfortable ride for more than a stop or two. However, the driver got us there safe and sound.
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Estándar, Family Service (Family Service), 18 jul 2026
CB
Charlotte BFully understanding this company is local, I get why they only speak their language. However, when you have a large percentage of travelers who are tourists, and a vast majority of them speak English, it might be a good idea to have a local who is multi-lingual to assist travelers at the bus station AND on the bus. The stops that offer toilet breaks is confusing when people are constantly loading and unloading throughout the trip. At the very least, the rest stops should be listed on 12Go's site when purchasing the ticket, or on the app, or via text (LINE, Whatsapp) before arriving at the stop so passengers can prepare. The transfer was horrendous! Was told IN WRITING via email, "Vientiane Transfer" meant I'd be picked up at my hotel, only to find out, it was too far out, which caused me to miss the bus AND had to pay another night at the hotel. Next day took a taxi to one of the pickup places (One Vientiane Hotel) only to be told to walk (with all my luggage) to what appeared to be a laundry location, to wait for transportation to the bus station. I could've just gone to the bus station, it was closer to my hotel than the pickup spot and less LAK! Then, while waiting, the laundry person's cat, which I'm not a fan of (not a cat person) kept bothering me. It was annoying and uncomfortable, she kept calling it away. After waiting for 40 minutes she hurries me into a car with 2 other people and drives like a lunatic while arguing with someone on her cell. Get to the bus station (where I could've gone in the first place) load the bus after 30+ minutes of waiting, get to the LAO border and immigration to check out, back to the van, to Thailand immigration/boarder, then to the final bus to get back to CM. The experience was INSANE, with no one explaining anything. We all were just following each other. The best thing was the lady who waited for all passengers to get through Immigration before we boarded the van, to get to our respective buses at different locations. She spoke enough English to communicate with us effectively. I hope she gets paid very well, cause that seems like a harrowing job. But I was very thankful for her and her assistance during the entire debacle. Finally, the bus to CM arrived, but it was shaky, meaning it rocked side-to-side, and the suspension had us bouncing like balls. We were ROCKING AND ROLLING, literally! Not fun, through winding roads in the mountains! I've taken several bus lines before, but will never use this one again. Unfortunately it was the only one available for the time I wanted to get back to CM. Next time I'll fly.
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús VIP, Soutchai Travel (ບໍລິສັດ ສຸດໃຈທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຈໍາກັດຜູ້ດຽວ), 15 nov 2025
B
Baylee The steps for purchasing the tickets were unclear and when the driver dropped us off at the first bus station they didn’t tell us anything but the rest they were good about making sure we knew where to go. And then they said we were going VIP and when we got there it was a total different bus and we were told we were to Nong Khai but they dropped us at Udon where nothing was opened and we were not able to get anything to eat and they didn’t stop. The transportation to and from the border was great but after that we didn’t have great service
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Estándar, Family Service (Family Service), 7 oct 2025
HW
Hal WExcellent service, small problems rectified with a smile.
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Estándar, Family Service (Family Service), 5 jul 2025
HW
Heinrich W3 hours waiting at the station. .
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), 12 jun 2025
C
Camilo The trip that should take approximately 10-11 hrs and 1-2 buses, instead became a 19 & 1/2 hr trip and consisted of a taxi ride from Vientiane to the laos border @ 3pm, then a bus to the Thai border, 45 minute wait, then a taxi to Nong khai bus station, a hour wait, then a 1 hr bus trip to Udon Thani bus station, then another 2 hr wait, then a 11 & 1/2 hr bus ride to Chiang Mai, arriving at 9.30 am. Considering a bus ride from Vientiane to Bangkok is only around 11-12hrs . The tour company should maybe a little more transparent about the 6 transfers and the 20 hr journey, instead of the 14 hr , seemingly hassle free service they claim to provide.
De Vientiane a Chiang Mai, Autobús Estándar, Family Service (Family Service), 19 may 2025
