Alles bestens geklappt. Super organisiert, toller Support an der Grenze und Transport bis zum Boot hat bestens geklappt mit Infos und Betreuung durch die Guides. Empfehlenswert!
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 10 พ.ย. 2024
We made it to Laos in one piece but the bus was an experience I will never forget haha. The bus was over packed with people sleeping in the isle. I woke up to the sound of a lady being violently sick. The bus was very jumpy and rocky.
I really can't recommend this and would suggest using another tour provider.
Got the slow boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang.
Pick-up was on time and the van was air conditioned. Everything before the border was fine. Smooth leaving Thailand but entering Laos was a nightmare. No guidance given throughout this, other than by a man who couldn't confirm his identity and honestly we thought we were being scammed.
Had to pay visa fee and a tourist tax directly to him, not border officials which really did not seem right.
The transfer was overbooked and me and my partner were crammed into the seat of a pick up with our main backpacks and day packs on top of us. We were provided a sandwich but there was no vegetarian or vegan option.
Made it to the ferry point and we were the last group to get there out of all the other tour providers meaning we didn't and many others didn't get a seat on the actual boat as it was overbooked.
Would I do it again? Yes the slow boat was crowded but had stunning views - but definitely not with this tour provider.
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 20 พ.ย. 2025
PK
Pallabi K
The van picked up on time. Helped through the border crossing and getting to the slow boat pier. The slow boat was overbooked but the experience was amazing.
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 16 ต.ค. 2025
LG
Lavinia G
The first part of the trip to the border was great and seamless - the sleeper bus however was very primitive with two people to a very hard bunk and the roads are very poor so you get shaken around a lot. Would not recommend if you’re a solo traveller. We did get there in good ish time though however I doubt I’ll do it again.
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Sleeping Bus, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 24 ก.ค. 2025
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Federico R
Overall a good experience, but it’s not for everyone. For slow boat boarding, you need to be fit and have good balance — you'll walk across a wooden plank, and if it’s raining, it gets slippery. There were better and worse moments during the trip. From Chiang Rai to the border, everything was smooth and easy, though communication was lacking. After I contacted them, they told us pickup would be between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m., but the van arrived at 5:45.
Border crossing was easy but very slow. The staff always made sure you were guaranteed your next ticket and connection. Visa management felt a bit sketchy. In total, you’ll need to pay a Laos entry fee of 20 Baht and a visa on arrival, which costs either $40 USD, 1,800 Baht, or 1.2 million Kip. My advice, based on current exchange rates, is that USD is much cheaper — try to exchange in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai the day before departing.
After the border, the next bus takes you to the pier for the slow boat. At the pier, they give you a sandwich and offer a Laos SIM card for a good deal. The boat is crowded and the chairs are horrible — but you’ll survive. After 7 hours, you land in Pak Beng. Be smart and book a room in advance; it’s a very small but nice village.
The boat on the next day is a million times better — comfy chairs, even tables, kind of like a floating train. Over two days on the river, you’ll see beautiful landscapes, though visibility can be poor when it rains. The river looks like chocolate and is full of floating plastic.
Once you arrive in Luang Prabang, you’ll cross another plank to disembark. The pier is far from the city, close to the airport, and crowded with thirsty tuktuk drivers looking for prey — they charge 50,000 Kip per person. My advice is to set up a Loca app account (Laos’ version of Uber) in advance and skip the tuktuk. A Loca ride from the pier to the city costs around 140,000 Kip.
Honestly, I think it’s way more fun than taking the train and cheaper than flying — but it’s slow and will test your patience and resilience. If you’re lucky, you’ll make friends during the trip, which is a great way to pass the time and socialize. Luang Prabang is truly beautiful.
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 30 มิ.ย. 2025
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Robert R
The transfer was from Thailand to laos, the part in chiang rai was very good, everything was on time, except the fact that we couldn't contact the provider to ensure that everything was ok, the problems started on the laos side, they charge 40 use, if you have older notes than they don't accept them and after you can change them in a very low rate, if you pay in baht or lak kip than they charge more money, there's a two day ride in a slow boat, each for about 7-8 hours, it's owful , it's not comfortable and there's not much space, stay one night in a small village and the next day continue to luang prabang for another 8 hours, than you take a took took to the city
That journey is for the strong spirit and mind
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 25 มิ.ย. 2025
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Adam G
First day on slowboat was great. The second day was a different boat with less seats which led to many people sitting on the floor. This made it hard to access the bathrooms and shop
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 4 พ.ค. 2025
HB
Hayley B
Everything smooth and on time. Guys helped at border crossing and we got free sandwiches before the boat.
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 21 เม.ย. 2025
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Maria L
On the Thai side pretty smooth. After crossing into Laos and clearjng immigration, a lot less smooth.
เชียงราย ถึง หลวงพระบาง, รถบัส Van + Bus + Song Taew + Slow Boat, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), 12 ธ.ค. 2024
