How to Get to Chiang Khong, Thailand

Chiang Khong – Taken from Huay Xai

Popular thanks to Friendship Bridge IV – a vital connection between Thailand and Laos – and the slow boat to Luang Prabang, Chiang Khong sees hordes of tourists pass through every year. Thankfully, getting to Chiang Khong from Chiang Mai is an easy process. The town is well served by buses, minivans, taxis and private transfers from all over Thailand. And, if you’re travelling from Laos, getting to Chiang Khong is simple too! 

So, if you’re trying to work out the best way to get to Chiang Khong, no matter where you are, we’ve got you covered!


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How To Get To Chiang Khong, Thailand 🇹🇭

If you intend to cross the border from Thailand to Laos on the same day you arrive in Chiang Khong, let the driver of your bus, van or taxi know. They will drop you off at the junction for the border where tuk tuks wait to whisk travellers towards Laos for around 50THB per person (approx. $1.25). 

Lao/Thai Border at Chiang Khong/Huay Xai
Most travellers only visit Chiang Khong to cross into Laos!

If you forget to tell your driver, you’ll likely be dropped off in the town itself. From here, tuk tuks cost around 150THB (approx. $3.75USD) per person. Most travellers arriving in Chiang Khong  in the afternoon stay in the town for one night before crossing the border the following day but unless it’s very late, this isn’t necessary. The border is officially open until 22:00 every day but the buses over Friendship Bridge stop running a few hours before the border closes. To be safe, don’t try to cross after 18:00!  (Check changes to opening times in advance if you are travelling on a public holiday.)

Flying to Chiang Khong ✈️ 

The closest airport to Chiang Khong in Thailand is Chiang Rai International (CEI). All Thailand’s domestic airlines service Chiang Rai Airport. It’s around 100 km from the airport to Chiang Khong and the journey takes 2-3 hours depending on the mode of transport you choose. 


Getting To Chiang Khong from Chiang Mai

From Chiang Mai Airport

The simplest way to get from Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Khong is by private transfer. However, these are very expensive, starting at around $150USD. The journey takes about 6 hours. 

It’s cheaper to make your way to Chiang Mai City, or Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 to connect with your transport from there. 

Getting into the city will cost as little as 50THB (approx. $1.25USD) per person on the public bus or around 200THB (approx. $5USD) in a Grab or taxi. 

From Chiang Mai City

From Chiang Mai City, you can reserve a seat on a minibus for around $30-40USD. Minibus transfers leave regularly throughout the day from different locations depending on who you book with. If you book directly with your accommodation in Chiang Mai, pick up will usually be included. 

However, the cheapest way to get to Chiang Khong is to get a public bus from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3. Operated by Green Bus, this service costs around $10-15USD per person and takes 6-8 hours. 

Chiang Mai Bus Terminal
GreenBus operate at stands 19-21 at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal!

To get to the bus terminal, a Grab (one of Thailand’s best Uber alternatives) will cost around 100THB (approx $2.50USD) but a cheaper option is to take one of the red songthaews that travel through the city. A journey on one of these costs 30THB (approx $0.80USD) but will take longer as they follow a set route. Make sure you leave plenty of time before you bus departs!


Getting To Chiang Khong from Chiang Rai

From Chiang Rai Airport

You can organise a direct transfer from Chiang Rai Airport to Chiang Khong. The journey takes 2-3 hours and costs around $60USD. Alternatively, you can make your way to Bus Terminal 1 and pick up a public bus from there. 

From Chiang Rai City 

Minibus transfers from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong tend to leave in the morning or early afternoon. They include pickup from your accommodation and cost around $15-20USD per person. The journey takes 2-3 hours. 

The cheapest way to get to Chiang Khong from Chiang Rai is via the public bus. Leaving from Bus Terminal 1, these public buses cost around 70THB (approx. $2USD) and take around three hours. The buses are a little more rustic than the Thai tourist buses you might be used to! Don’t expect air conditioning or reclining seats! 


Getting To Chiang Khong from Pai

There are two ways to get from Pai to Chiang Khong. The fastest and most expensive option is via minivan. It takes 8-10 hours and costs $25-40USD per person. The journey isn’t usually direct and you’ll need to swap vehicles in Chiang Mai. It’s also possible to hire an entire vehicle to do the transfer in one leg but this costs upwards of $200USD! 

The cheaper option is to break the journey up into separate legs. Take a minivan to Chiang Mai (journey time approx 3 hours) and then arrange another bus from there (as above). Unless you get up very early to make the entire journey in one day, you’ll likely need to stay overnight in Chiang Mai. 

Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
It’s not a VIP bus but it’s comfortable enough!

Getting To Chiang Khong from Bangkok 

There are two main ways to get from Bangkok to Chiang Khong. The fastest is to fly to Chiang Rai International Airport (airport code) from either of Bangkok’s airports; Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) – make sure you know which airport your flight departs from! Flights begin at around $50USD per person. 

If you’re after a cheaper option, buses leave from Bangkok’s Mochit Bus Station every evening. These take around 12-20 hours depending on the exact route and cost $20-30USD per person. If you book a bus through your accommodation, transport to the bus station will usually be included. 

GreenBus to Chiang Khong
Expect plenty of stops along the way to Chiang Khong!

Getting to Chiang Khong from Luang Prabang 

If you want to get from Luang Prabang in Laos to Chiang Khong, you have a few options. 

The longest but arguably best way to make the journey is by taking the slow boat along the Mekong to the border town of Huay Xai and crossing into Thailand from there. The journey takes two days to complete and costs $40-200USD depending on the type of boat you opt for. Those taking the slow boat will stay overnight in the town of Pak Beng before arriving in Huay Xai the following day.

Top Tip! 😎

We recommend spending more on your slow boat trip so you can really enjoy the journey! The route passes idyllic mountain scenery and traditional local villages, allowing you a peek into Laos that not everyone sees. While the local slow boat is by far the cheapest way to make the journey, a premium cruise offers comfortable and spacious seating, with excellent food on board – an experience in its own right!

Recommended Tour
Nagi Of Mekong Slow Boat
  • Spacious & comfortable.
  • Boats regularly serviced. Life vests for every passenger.
  • Freshly cooked lunches & refreshments.
  • 1 night's accommodation in Pak Beng.

Minivans from Luang Prabang to Chiang Khong are similar in price to the local slow boat but much cheaper than the luxury cruises. However, the vans are generously described as ‘unpleasant.’ Tight winding roads, stifling heat and a vehicle crammed full of people and animals make this journey an unappealing choice, to say the least. Prices begin at around $25USD and the journey time is usually 11-14 hours. 

The fastest way of making the journey between Luang Prabang and Chiang Khong is by a combination of train and minivan. First, take the train from Luang Prabang to Nateuy station. This takes around 2 hours and costs approx. $10-15USD. From the station, you can pick up a minivan for the 3-4 hour journey to Huay Xai. The minivan journey will cost $15-20USD, making the total cost of this route $25-35USD. 


Getting to Chiang Khong FAQs

What are the Chiang Khong border opening hours? 

The Thai/Lao border at Chiang Khong/Huay Xai is officially open between 06:00-22:00. However, getting a ride over the bridge or away from the border crossing at the beginning or end of these opening times can be difficult. 

Is there a bus from Chiang Khong to Laos?

There is no direct bus from Chiang Khong to Laos. To make the journey, you’ll need to get to the border, pass through immigration and pay to take the bus over Friendship Bridge. When you arrive at the other side, you’ll need to haggle for a ride to Huay Xai. This should cost no more than 100THB per person, no matter what the taxi drivers tell you! 

Is Chiang Khong worth visiting?

Most travellers only visit Chiang Khong as a stopover before or after crossing the border into Laos. The town itself doesn’t have much in the way of tourist attractions but unlike other border towns in Southeast Asia, it’s not a sleaze-fest. 

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