Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the centre. Sawngthaews from either bus station cost 10,000K per person to the centre of
town. You can buy tickets for onward travel through tour agencies in Houayxai; these cost a
bit more than buying direct from the bus station, as transfer is included. If you're in a hurry to
get to Luang Prabang (and don't fancy the speedboat) the best option is the overnight VIP ser-
vice at 6pm from the new bus station. Note that most buses to Houayxai are marked “Bokeo”
or “Borkeo”, the name of the province.
Destinations from the new bus station
Chiang Khong, Thailand (4 daily; 30min); Chiang
Rai, Thailand (4 daily; 3hr); Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam (6 weekly; 15hr); Jinghong, China
(6 weekly; 12hr); Kunming, China (daily; 17hr); Luang Namtha (daily; 3hr 30min); Luang
Prabang (daily; 12hr); Mengla, China (6 weekly; 8hr); Vang Vieng (daily; 17hr); Vientiane
(daily; 21hr).
Destinations from the old bus station
Luang Namtha (2 daily; 4hr); Luang Prabang (daily;
13hr); Oudomxai (daily; 8hr); Vientiane (daily; 23hr).
BY BOAT
By slow boat
The slow boat pier is about 1km north of the old ferry landing. Boats depart
for Pakbeng (110,000K), midway to Luang Prabang (220,000K), at 11.30am; arrive at least
30min early to ensure a seat. Tickets can be bought directly from the ticket office at the pier
(opens 8am), or from travel agents on the main road; the price for the latter will include com-
mission and a tuk-tuk ride to the pier, so anticipate paying a little more.
Destinations
Luang Prabang (daily; 2 days); Pakbeng (daily; 7hr).
By speedboat
The speedboat pier is 4km downriver of the centre (tuk-tuk 15,000K). Boats
for Pakbeng (170,000K) and Luang Prabang (340,000K) theoretically depart at 9.30am, but
leave when full - get there well in advance (and conversely be prepared for a wait), or book
via an agent in town.
Destinations
Luang Prabang (daily; 6-7hr); Pakbeng (daily; 3-4hr).
To Xieng Kok
There are no regular services upriver to Xieng Kok. You need to take a
sawngthaew from the main market, 1km southeast of the old ferry landing, to Tonpheung,
where you should be able to arrange transport by
cargo boat
.
Less frequent sawngthaews con-
tinue on to Ban Mom, further upriver (and at the end of the road), where there is basic ac-
commodation.
