I had a bad experiece using Soutchai Travel. I thought I was paying a premium to travel in a nice shuttle van (as pictured on their webpage), but instead it was just a tuk-tuk that took me to the Central Station, then a dirty, old bus.
But this bothered me less than the way time was managed. I was ready 30 minutes before the pick-up time as instructed. The tuk-tuk driver showed up about 40 minutes later. Fine, whatever. Then we drove across town to another hotel for another pick-up. The other passenger wasn't there. I sat there for another 25 minutes before the driver finally gave up and we went to the Central Station. He bought my ticket at the station, just as I could have; the station is only 10 minute walk from where I was staying. And I really wish I'd done just that. Leaving Vientiane later than expected - for no reason - made me stress about making my Udon Thani flight.
TL;DR - I paid a premium for Soutchai to waste my time and stress me out.
They picked us up from our hotel and it was a comfortable trip.
เวียงจันทน์ ไป อุดรธานี, รถบัส ปกติ, Family Service (Family Service), 7 พ.ค. 2026
R
Robert
I found the communication to be a series of pre-prepared responses, without addressing my expressed concerns. I find the uncertainty to be very disconcerting.
เวียงจันทน์ ไป อุดรธานี, รถบัส ปกติ, Family Service (Family Service), 5 ก.พ. 2026
The bus journey from Vientiane to Udon Thani typically lasts around **2 hours**, but immigration stops can extend the trip. Be prepared for a lack of clear signage in both Laos and Thailand. When entering Laos, you'll need to complete a two-part arrival/departure document. Keep the unused portion for your departure to save time.
Out trip took **3 hours**, and some passengers were left behind because the bus only waits for a limited time. The bus itself was outdated, with exhaust fumes causing the windows to be opened and the A/C to be turned off.
A key difference between bus and train travel is that on the bus, you must retrieve and carry your baggage during immigration, unlike on a train. The driver only spoke Laotian which it seems odd considering the majority of the passengers were tourists that spoke their native language and English. We were fortunate to have a few Thai citizens translate for us.