- created 15 February 2011
- last updated 06 January 2013
HUAY XAI
Keochampa bus station (photo)
Located at JP256 on this map.
This is the bus station that has been in operation since around 2006, replacing the old one near the market in the town centre. As of October 2012, an even newer 'Domestic & International' bus station has been built to the east of this one. It appears that VIP buses for domestic routes + buses to China now use the newer bus station instead of this one.
Timetable (6 October 2012) (hobomaps):
To Luang Namtha
- 9:30AM, 12:30PM
- 60,000 kip
To Oudomxay
- 9:00AM
- 85,000 kip
To Luang Prabang
- 2:00PM
-120,000 kip
To Vientiane
- 11:30AM
- 230,000 kip
Note:
At times during the peak tourist season there are shared minivans to Luang Namtha departing from the top of the slope up from the Huay Xai immigration office near IC214 on this map.
Old info for reference:
Timetable (September 2011) (hobomaps):
Timetable (January 2011) (hobomaps)
Timetable 1 (14 March 2010) (Ian Taylor)
Timetable 2 (14 March 2010) (Ian Taylor)
Writing at bottom says: With effect from 24 February 2010 there will be morning departure to Luang Prabang at 10:00AM [daily?] with VIP [bus]
Bus station ticket office contact no.: 020-5983989
26 February 2009 (Ian Taylor)
Domestic & International bus station
Located at JM268 on this map.
Photo by hobomaps
Domestic timetable (6 October 2012) (hobomaps):
Click on images to view larger version
Note:
To Luang Namtha or Oudomxay - take any bus bound for for Luang Prabang or Vientiane, it will pass these towns along the way
To Vang Vieng - take any bus bound for Vientiane
International timetable (6 October 2012) (hobomaps):
Click on images to view larger version
Sleeper bus to China operated by Wan Xiang Transport Co. (upper half) & normal bus (lower half) (6 October 2012) (hobomaps):
Click on images to view larger version
Huay Xai slowboat landing
Located at BL67 on this map.
* 26 October 2008 fares (MapHobo)
To Pak Beng - daily (110,000kip)
Departs when there are enough passengers (~100) to sink the boat (~11:00AM).
* To Luang Namtha via Pak Tha & Nalae - see here.
Note:
On 18 February 2010, slowboats stopped running due to unusually low river levels that saw one boat capsize (source). Boat services resumed as of 20 March 2010. More info on the February/March 2010 situation:
- announcement from Dept Public Work & Transportation, Bokeo Province (MS Word document) (laobumpkin)
- Travelfish forum here, here & here (reply #111 onwards)
- Lonely Planet Thorntree forum here & here (especially reply #22)
No idea if this situation will occur again in the future. For those planning to travel this route in February/March, best to check for updates.
MRC Mekong river water levels at Chiang Saen & Luang Prabang monitoring stations
Huay Xai speedboat landing (photo by Ian Taylor)
Located at DP94 on this map.
Fares (September 2011) (hobomaps):
Click on image for larger version
To Pak Beng - 160,000kip/pax or 960,000kip/boat
To Luang Prabang - 340,000kip/pax or 2,040,000kip/boat
Lao writing says:
Announcement 3 October 2008
Time 5:00 not ??? navigate (boat)
Might be something about how boats do not travel when there is not enough daylight left.
Old info for reference:
* 14 March 2010 fares (Ian Taylor)
* 26 October 2008 fares (MapHobo)
To Pak Beng - 180,000kip/pax or 1,080,000kip/boat (max 6 pax)
To Luang Prabang - 360,000kip/pax or 2,160,000kip/boat (max 6 pax)
Huay Xai-Chiang Khong cross-river ferry
Located at BY70 on this map.
* Huay Xai to Chiang Khong fares 14 March 2010 (Ian Taylor)
Extra 10 baht/2000kip for those who cannot read Lao...?
* Chiang Khong to Huay Xai fares 14 March 2010 (Ian Taylor)
TON PHEUNG DISTRICT
* January 2007 info:
Ban Mon to Huay Xai - morning, 150baht (not daily)
Ton Pheung to Huay Xai - morning & afternoon, 120baht
