Travel and Transport Info for Chiang Khong, Thailand and Huay Xay, Laos by Hobo Maps - - - Home

Click to see our Chiang Khong and Huay Xay Map

Huay Xay town image below:

Friendship Bridge 4 image below:

Satellite image of Chiang Khong and Huay Xay area below:

- The Immigration checkpoints for both Laos and Thailand are at the Friendship Bridge 4 (Bokeo Bridge) over the Mekong about 10 km south of Chiang Khong and Huay Xay towns at grid code LP270 on this map HERE. Passenger boat service across the Mekong is now only for local people.

Immigration Checkpoints at the bridge previously were open 06:00 to 22:00 daily but in June 2019 we discovered Thailand immigration has reduced the hours to 08:00 opening and 20:00 closing while Laos immigration is open 06:00 to 21:00 daily. Seems that the cross bridge shuttle buses don't start operating until 08:00. All this creates risk for travellers who want to cross over and take early morning buses.

Walking or cycling over the bridge is not allowed. Shuttle buses take people back and forth over the bridge for 25 or 30 baht and are big buses with cargo bays that can take bicycles across for an extra 100 baht.

Motorbikes can possibly be driven over the Friendship Bridge with a police escort at an extra cost of 500 baht.

Bus Transport from Huay Xay
The long distance bus terminal for Huay Xay (also known as Bokeo) hs been changed and is now Phetaloun Bus Station located about 5 km south of central Huay Xay at grid code JP256 on this map. You can charter a tuk-tuk or songtaew bus to get out there. The prices and departure times as of March 2023 are shown in the picture below - they usually leave on time and don't cancel. It's about 3.5 hours to Luang Namtha, 7 hours to Oudom Xay and 12 hours to Luang Prabang. The buses going to NaTeuy are mostly intended for railway passengers.

February 2024 bus schedule below:

The former Keo Champa bus station is now being used for local Bokeo Province destinations. The prices and departure times as of March 2023 are shown in the picture below:

A new Chiang Khong Bus Terminal opened in 2014 about 8 km south of Chiang Khong on the way to the new Friendship Bridge at grid code KU204 on this map HERE. The old bus station in central Chiang Khong didn't move and is still there for local buses to C. Rai, etc. As of August 2016 scheduled departures from this new Bus Terminal were daily buses to Bangkok - 15:20 (592 baht) & 16:00 (592 baht).:

In the past there were international buses going from this station to Laos but unsure if still operating.

Sombat Tour might have daily big buses from Chiang Khong to Bangkok departing around 16:00 from central town at grid code JE208 on this map HERE.

Green Bus Co. (in Chiang Khong town at grid code JE208 on this map HERE) may have daily big buses from Chiang Khong to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station 3 departing at 07:15, 09:45 & 10:30. The 10:30 bus takes a longer route as it goes thru Phayo. Also a Green Bus to Bangkok departing at 15:15 for 655 baht.

Local Buses Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai - The big red local buses going from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai start at the fresh market in Chiang Khong at grid code JE207 on this map HERE and go different routes. The cost in 2024 was 90 baht. The short route buses take a little over 2 hours and depart every hour from 08:00 to 15:00 and go thru either Phaya Mengrai or Wiang Kaen. The long route takes about 3 hours and goes through Thoeng. All these routes end with the last stop at the central bus station No. 1 in Chiang Rai.

There are blue songtaew buses going north to Ton Phueng from the fresh market in Huay Xay (at grid code II223 on map HERE). They depart when full and usually go in the mornings. Sometimes may also continue on to the GTSEZ Casino area and even to Ban Mom.

Mekong Slow Boats DownRiver
- Large passenger slow boats go from a boat landing about 3 km north of central Huay Xay (at grid code HQ209 on map HERE) downriver to Pak Beng (1 day trip) and Luang Prabang (2 day trip) but none go upriver. These slow boats depart at around 11:00 AM daily and you can buy your ticket at the departure place just before you leave. It takes about 7 hours to get to Pak Beng the first day and about the same the second day from Pak Beng to Luang Prabang. More detailed info about travel on these slow boats is on our Pak Beng web page HERE.

Mekong Speedboats DownRiver
- Speedboats also go downriver to Pak Beng and Luang Prabang but from a different pier about 4 km south of central Huay Xay (at grid code JQ234 on map HERE). Most people just go direct to the speed boat pier. It takes only 3 hours to get to Pak Beng. If you are going to L. Prabang the same day it takes about 3 hours more after a long lunch break in Pak Beng where you change to a different speedboat.

Mekong Speedboats UpRiver
- There are no longer public speedboats going upriver on the Mekong from Houay Xay.

Flights - Houay Xay, Laos has an airport about 5 km southeast of town with flights to/from Vientiane on a very limited basis with Lao Airlines.

Chiang Khong, Thailand does not have an airport but travelers can fly into Chiang Rai instead and take a 2 or 3 hour bus trip to Chiang Khong.

Huay Xay Tourism Office - there is a government tourism office in Houay Xay at grid code IH218 on this Map. The hours are from 08:00 to 12:00 & 13:30 to 16:00 Monday to Friday.

Huay Xay - In March 2023 we didn't see any places that rent bicycles. Bring your own. Easy to take bikes on the slow boat but doubtful on a speedboat.