JD
Julianne DDon’t book this, just go at the pier, if you’re doing the journey from Luang Prabang to Thailand there will be space in the boat and it’ll be so much cheaper to do it by yourself. I booked this so it would be safe and efficient but I was left waiting at the pier as my driver 20km away was waiting for me to call him when I was at the pier to come get me (also I reached out to him with the number left on the invoice, I don’t know what would have happened if u didn’t have data). At the Thai border I called him twice to know who would pick me up and he told me to wait 45 minutes alone there at night without data. I felt completely unsafe so I decide to take transportation with the other people I met on the boat. When I reached out to them to explain the lack of communication was a big problem they just said I should have booked a private tour by them, as if this transport was identified as a big group kind of thing (btw I was the only one there who had booked online, so I thing they are bullshitting).
루앙프라방에서 치앙라이까지, 미니버스 Van + Ferry, LaoLuang Travel (ບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວຫຼວງ), 2026. 5. 6.
JS
Julie SChaos but we made it : Slow boat from luang prabang to chiang rai.
Should arrive at 6:30pm but arrived at 10pm.
From the border to chiang rai we took one taxi, then one minibus to cross the friendship bridge, then a tuktuk to chiang khong and finally a mini van to chiang rai. The last driver was crazy and drove at 120 instead of 60, it's was scary but we arrived fast.
We paid the double of the price with 12GO than it will cost if you take everything directly without intermediar.
We didn't know anything about the differents transportation, you have to contact them on whatsapp to know what is going on, who come to pick you and any informations.
But at least we arrived at chiang rai, and that is not sure if you do it by yourself because we arrived late at the border and there is not all time minivan to go to chiang rai so you will have to sleep at chiang khong and take the bus the next morning.
루앙프라방에서 치앙라이까지, 미니버스 Van + Ferry, LaoLuang Travel (ບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວຫຼວງ), 2026. 2. 7.
DR
Dimitri RThere were not much information from 12GO, luckily I traveled with 2 other person who booked through the bus station and received phone numbers and more details through WhatsApp.
The bus left 2h later than schedule and the trip took longer as well.
The van waiting for us at the border left as we were Kate and we had to wait an additional 1h30, the trip took about 24h in total, instead of 17h. The bus isn't confortable and the bed have to be shared.
There were not enough bed available because some luggage had to be stored on beds since the boot was full of eggs and chickens...
Worth ride I had in a bus.
루앙프라방에서 치앙라이까지, 버스 Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 2025. 12. 27.
EG
Elana GIt wasn't the trip itself as much as it was a shock to the system.
The trip ran smoothly and there were no issues with connections etc. so I have no complaints. However, if you are not used to being in a confined area for hours, this trip is not for you.
루앙프라방에서 치앙라이까지, 버스 Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 2024. 7. 4.
SK
Sarah KStarting at the Lao bus terminal was a bit tough, you have to exchange the voucher and find the bus - not many speak English, in our case there was luckily only one possible option. The whole route took longer than suggested, but we figured that from all other travel offers. The local sleeping bus takes about 15h to get to a station 15 minutes away from the border. After the bus ride we had a K buddy affiliate waiting to show us the vehicle we would take to ravel to the Lao Border Town Huay Xai (ca. 15 min away) There they awaited us and explained the next steps , bought the bus ticket and handed them to us since you need to take an mandatory bus line across the friendship bridge to Thai border. On the other side, after immigration at the Thai border there was a Thai driver from K buddy waiting to take us to Chang Rai.
The whole travel was very seamless and easy. Biggest pain point was the Lao Sleeping Bus as is was quite rudimentary, also some people that got in at later bus stops had to sleep on the floor between the bed stations as all beds were full. We expected that though so all was fine and K Buddy really guided us through - their service was great :)
루앙프라방에서 치앙라이까지, 버스 Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 2023. 11. 21.
