The Slow Boat
~15759 กม. · ~15759 km ตะวันออก · E — จากตำแหน่งโดยประมาณของเครือข่าย Columbus · from your network's rough position
Two days down the Mekong from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, with a night in Pak Beng between.
ล่องเรือช้าน้ำโขงไปหลวงพระบาง นอนปากแบ่งหนึ่งคืน ไลลากรุ๊ปมารับถึงที่พักตั้งแต่เช้ามืด พาข้ามด่าน ส่งถึงท่าเรือเจ้า
The long way is the lovely way
ทางไกลที่งามที่สุดเจ้า
It begins in the dark. Laila Group's van collects you from your hotel at five, and by the time the sun is up you are at the river at Chiang Khong with your passport stamped. Across the bridge is Huay Xai; below it the long wooden boats wait at the pier. At ten you cast off.
For two days the Mekong carries you between green hills, past sand bars and fishing boats and villages that come down to the water. The first night is at Pak Beng, a river town that exists to welcome the boats. On the second afternoon, Luang Prabang.
The boats · เรือChoose your river
| Slow boat to Luang Prabang เรือช้าไปหลวงพระบาง2 days, 1 night · Pickup at 05:00 from your hotel or Sofia Hostel, the border by eight, the boat at ten, Pak Beng by five. Day two leaves at nine and lands in Luang Prabang at four. Border bus, pier taxi, boat ticket and a day-one lunch box included. | ฿1,690 |
| Slow boat, the gentle version เรือช้า สามวันสองคืน3 days, 2 nights · A midday pickup, a first night in a Huay Xai hotel (included), then two unhurried days on the river by way of Pak Beng. | ฿2,340 |
| Slow boat to Pak Beng เรือช้าไปปากแบ่ง1 day · One long, lovely day on the Mekong, with a stop at the Huay Xai office for a Lao SIM and kip on the way. | ฿1,450 |
| From Chiang Mai, by slow boat จากเชียงใหม่ ล่องเรือช้า3 days, 2 nights · Pickup in Chiang Mai at nine, a stop at the White Temple, the night in Huay Xai, then the river. Travel insurance included. | ฿2,890 |
Prices as listed by Laila Group, 26 September 2026. Pack US dollars for the Lao visa on arrival (USD 40 on her listing) and your passport photo.
Or by rail · รถไฟลาว-จีนThe train through Laos
Laila Group also runs the fast way: across the border and onto the Laos–China Railway, Luang Prabang the same day, Vang Vieng and Vientiane beyond.