Did you know that Laos, a small Southeast Asian country, has more high-speed rail than the United States and Australia combined? The Boten-Vientiane railway crosses the northern Loas to reach a speed of 160 km/h. But what does it feel like to catch up with this new fast train line?
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For the longest time, Laos was ignored by everyone except the most adventurous travelers, not only because it was surrounded by countries with larger marketing budgets, but also the beaches. The truth is, the road makes it difficult to travel in Laos.
Until recently (as in 2021), travelers who want to visit places like Vang Vieng will have to wind down the huge mountain landscape along the shaky dirt roads.
But now, a new high-speed rail line built and paid by China takes you through your country with a range of over 160 km/h, making an unpleasant full-day trip a quick, air-conditioned hourly trip.
We took this train on the incredible 10-day trip to Laos we mentioned In March.
How to get tickets
Currently, the purchase of tickets for Laos trains is very complicated. There are many third-party websites that offer booking services – some of them look a bit scam so please be cautious about buying tickets.
More complicated, tickets are only for sale for a few days, but you need to book because the train will fill up quickly.
This link will take you to Viatorwhich is a reasonable ticket price, is a trusted provider, you will send you an electronic ticket for a day or two before a train trip.
The price is good, considering that you can get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang in less than two hours, it is understandable that the train is popular. Traveling on the same road may take more than one hour in two days.
We travel with Tour Company Insideasia Laos Railway Itinerary. This trip took us from the Lao capital via Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang on the train. Insideasia organized all train tickets, took all the pressure of booking and collected tickets from our trip.
Arrive at the station
Before you head to the station to board the train, make sure your luggage complies with travel rules.
The Boten-Vientiane railway is very strict and you can bring something on the train. In many ways, it is stricter than airports and flight companies.
Besides the usual explosives, guns, ammunition, chemicals, drugs, animals, etc., things like aerosols and spray cans are illegal on trains. Even if you pack the deodorant in your main luggage, the scanner at the main door of the station will pick them up.
Scissors, pencil sharpeners or multi-function tools are also not allowed. I confiscated my very expensive Leatherman as well as my deodorant at the Vientiane station. They won’t miss a trick.
Some foods are also banned: “Passengers are forbidden to bring various foods, and the smell and water of these foods produce impurities.”
Since the security is so tight, make sure you have enough time to come.
Inside, the spongy lounge has plenty of seating and a small shop where you can buy snacks but nothing else.
Get on the train
No one can enter the platform until the train stops. Even if your tickets come with seating allocations, be prepared to queue up to enter the platform.
Once the door opens, all sales in January will be free. It is true that when your seats are assigned, there is no need to line up or hurry up, but you tend to get stuck, not.
That being said, the train leaves very quickly, so make sure you don’t cross it out. Station staff on the platform bring you to an impatient level, and lingering photos on the platform will eventually conquer the anger of the Jobsworth Guard.
Then they kind of shouted.
On the train
Once you’re in your seat, things are comfortable enough. The seats are 2-2 in the form of 2-2, and any electrical equipment has seats, and the seat back can be tilted a lot. However, there is limited storage space for luggage and not much overhead storage, so keep this in mind when you pack and get on the train.
There are Western-style toilets on board.
A food cart passes through the carriage in between where you can pick up local snacks, but alcohol is not allowed on the train.
The views of the big windows flashed as you ran through the countryside of Laos. It’s a relaxing and comfortable journey.
When you are traveling, there are a lot of announcements on the PA, which mainly revolves around keeping the train clean and tidy.
My favorite thing is:
“Ladies and gentlemen, please tighten the cap of the bottle cap and do not allow children or elderly people to drink from the bottle while the train is running.”
Get off the train
Once the train enters the station and gets off, you can’t hang out on the platform. Just like boarding a train, if you don’t move on immediately, the staff will become “confident.”
The people behind the group let the guards heal.
Overall, the Plant-Armed Forces Railway is a great service and makes Laos a place to travel easier.
The fact that the train and its huge stations are clean, efficient and effective, and the fact that you can see parts of the Lao countryside makes it a very attractive way to see a part of the road.
Rumors are that the line will extend further in the next few years, covering not only Laos but also internationally. Eventually, it may go to Singapore and connect to southern China – more than 2500 km.
Now, it will be a train trip!
