The Amazing Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang Slow Boat: Thailand to Laos. [UPDATED FOR 2024]

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The most relaxing, beautiful and local way to get between Laos and Thailand: The Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang slow boat

Travelling from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang or Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is one of those necessary long journeys whilst travelling around South East Asia.

The usual method for this region would be to just jump on yet another night bus and deal with the sleep deprivation the following day! However the route between the mountainous regions of Luang Prabang and Northern Thailand is notoriously steep and winding, the relatively short distance on the map is actually a vomit-inducing 18-hour trip.

We opted for a smooth and relaxing ride along the legendary Mekong river on the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang slow boat which can also be taken from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai using the exact same method but in reverse!

For us rather than another nightmarish bus the slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang was an experience in itself, in fact through our extensive travels in the region we’ve actually ended up doing this trip twice and I can tell you that two years later from our first time it’s actually got even better and only slightly more popular!

Our Favourite Backpacks

Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview

We’ve used the Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!

The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!

Slow Boat Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai: Information For Buying Tickets From Luang Prabang

Don’t be tempted to buy your ticket from one of the agents in town, they will only charge you an additional commission for the Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai slow boat, especially if you are in Chiang Mai as the boat leaves from another town.

Some of those on our boat who had paid upfront ended up having to pay twice as their full ticket had been taken off them on the first day and the guys on the boat have no confirmation other than your paper ticket. It’s something to bear in mind when organising the slow boat to Luang Prabang.

There are also many scams or just overpriced and oversold “boat trips” when the slow boat to Luang Prabang is in reality a local boat service. The slow boat from Laos to Thailand is a cheap and meandering way of travelling rather than fast, direct and expensive!

Whether you are going from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang or Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai its best to get to the docks early and buy your tickets on the day from either the small office or on the boat or alternatively buy online.

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Ticket Buying Process And Getting To The Docks

Firstly what you need to know is that the Luang Prabang slow boat pier is now not in Luang Prabang centre itself but is around 10 km outside of the town. The boat from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai leaves in the morning at around 8 am and you should arrive at least an hour before to get your tickets.

You should take a tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang to the docks for around 15,000 Kip (£1.40/ $1.80) each. Asking your accommodation to book it for you the day before and letting them know it’s for Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai slow boat so you make sure to get the right price and not miss your boat.

  • In this direction (from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai) it is much simpler as the boat leaves from just outside the town and there is an office at the docks selling the tickets.

  • You won’t buy a ticket for the Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai slow boat but instead two tickets, one for each day:

  • You will buy your first ticket at the docks in “Luang Prabang” (10km outside!) to Pak Beng and it should cost you 110,000 Kip (£10/ $13)

  • The ticket for the second boat from Pak Beng to Huay Xai will cost 110,000 Kip (£10/ $13) and you buy in on the boat itself. 

  • There is also the option of paying around 320,000 Kip (£29.40 / $37.70) for the Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai speedboat all the way in one day, however, these are notoriously dangerous and uncomfortable. If you see a small thin boat fly past you at speed whilst all the occupants are bobbing up and down with full-face helmets, then that’s the Speed boat Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang!

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Buying tickets from Chiang Mai & Getting to Chiang Khong/ Huay Xai

One thing to consider when coming from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang is that the actual boat leaves from another town a few hours away. So really the boat from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang isn’t quite the whole way!

You will have to first take the local bus from Chiang Mai to the small border town of Chiang Khong in Thailand. Then you cross the border into Laos and take a cheap tuk-tuk to Huay Xai where the Mekong river slow boat actually leaves from.

You will need to stay overnight in one of these towns and get the slow boat to Luang Prabang in the morning, it’s best if you can stay in Huay Xai to make sure there isn’t a hold-up at the border or with transport. Remember there is only 1 boat a day and it leaves early!

So really the journey is Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang or Huay Xai to Luang Prabang on the boat. You will technically travel from Chiang Mai to Laos here before even getting on the “slow boat from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang” which really is the Huay Xai to Luang Prabang boat … not as catchy! 

Thailand to Luang Prabang Breakdown

  • From Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai you need to get the local bus to Chiang Khong, these are very cheap, do this the day before you want to get the boat. This bus takes around 5.5 hrs and costs around 250 Baht (£6 / $7.70) for the standard class. 

  • From Chiang Khong get a tuk-tuk to the Laos-Thai friendship bridge and border. Here you will cross over and pay a small fee for the bus across the bridge. 

  • Take a tuk-tuk to the town of Huay Xai where the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang slow boat leaves in the morning

  • Stay somewhere cheap in Huay Xai, expect to pay around 55,000 Kip (£5 / $6.50) for a room. 

  • Buy your ticket from the docks/ on the boat in the morning. Get there early and ask at your guest house for the time of the Chiang Mai slow boat to Luang Prabang. They usually leave around 8 am.

  • You will buy your first ticket at the docks in Huay Xai to Pak Beng and it should cost you 110,000 Kip (£10/ $13)

  • The ticket for the second boat from Pak Beng to Luang Prabang will cost 110,000 Kip (£10/ $13) and you buy in on the boat itself. 

  • You can also take the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang fast boat from here.

Day One: A stunning Ride to Pakbeng

On the first day on the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang boat, you will head towards the same destination as the Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai slow boat and both meet up in the small town of Pak Beng.

On the slow boat from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai, the first leg is the most scenic of the entire journey where the Mekong is encircled by an ever-changing mountainous landscape, tiny villages and lush jungle surroundings. Sitting back on the comfortable seats with the breeze in your hair taking it all in is quite wonderful and takes around 8 hours.

From Huay Xai to Pakbeng the ride is a touch shorter but will still likely take over 7 hours and is more of a dress rehearsal for the amazing scenery on the next leg of the journey. It is still a wonderful introduction to Laos and a nice relaxing day after spending the previous day getting to and across the border. 

 Over the course of the 7-8 hours you will also likely get to know the other passengers on board, many of which will also be long-term travellers and it becomes quite a social place too. We were also lucky that the boat wasn’t too crowded and so we could move the seat around for more space.

Arriving in Pakbeng

Arriving in Pakbeng you want somewhere to stay for the night. There is a rush of people all trying to figure that out at once when they pile off both boats going in either direction! It is sometimes possible to organise somewhere to stay when you arrive at the docks but the best way is to organise something before so you are sure you have a place for the night. Once rooms start getting full then the cheap town can become expensive!

We got a private room with a bathroom for 50,000 (£4.60 / $5.90) for the night and we were taken from the dock up to the hotel in a truck and back to the docks again in the morning for free. They also had breakfast for around 10,000 Kip (£0.90/ $1.20) and sandwiches you could have made to take with you on the boat for 10,000 Kip (£0.90/ $1.20). 

Eating in Pakbeng is also relatively cheap and there are quite a few options for such a small place. However expect to pay more than you should for things like cans of coke, crisps and snacks for the boat the day after. If you can try and stock up whilst in Luang Prabang! The town itself isn’t the nicest of places and the accommodation leaves a lot to be desired, but it really is just somewhere to pass through for the night before heading off again in the morning on your Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai adventure!

More Information: Where to Stay In Pakbeng

Best for a Cheap and Cheerful Over Night Stay: Mekong Backpackers

Mekong Backpackers is a basic but comfortable and clean place to stay for the night with a terrace overlooking the Mekong River. It’s the perfect place to break up your Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang by boat trip.

  • “American Breakfast” provided each morning

  • Onsite restaurant

  • Balcony and garden

Another Good Option On A Budget: Janh Ya Phone Guesthouse

Another highly rated family-run guest house is Janh Ya Phone which also boasts incredible river views and is a short walk into town from here too. We also loved the terrace where you can watch the sunset.

  • A restaurant that overlooks the Mekong

  • breakfast available

  • a pick-up service

The Best Place To Stay If You Can Afford It: Le Grand Pakbeng

You’ve just spent 8 hours on a boat and you’re going to do the same the next day! So why not stay somewhere comfortable? If you stay at Le Grand Pakbeng you’ll be sure to leave relaxed and well-rested.

  • Bungalow-style rooms

  • Infinity pool over the river

  • Terrace area

Search for other Options Here

Day Two: A Relaxing Trip to Your Luang Prabang or Huay Xai

At the start of the second day, it can be a little hectic at the docks. Your accommodation can sort out transport but it is only a short walk anyway. Here people will be crowding around and travelling in both directions.

It is important that you get there early, again the boat leaves around 8 am, and make sure you are heading in the right direction! Often you will be on the boat with the same people as the day before which makes it easier.

The Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai route does seem to be less busy than the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang boat for some reason too but either way the slow boat Mekong River trip seems relatively popular.

The Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang boat again takes around 7-8 hours and is again a stunning and fascinating journey down one of the great rivers of the world and the lifeblood of Southeast Asia. You get to witness everyday life on the river such as fishermen, farmers and their cattle and many stilt houses.

It really is so much more rewarding to take the Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai slow boat not to mention more comfortable than the bumpy bus! In fact, the boat from Thailand to Laos should be seen as more of an experience in itself rather than just a method of transport!

One of the coolest things we found about the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang slow boat what that the international border runs down the river for the last few hours of the trip.

This means that you will actually have been traversing in and out of each country as you meander down the river, it’s quite a nice feeling to know that on one side of you is Laos and the other is Thailand. Often there are some quite noticeable differences which are fascinating to see and what makes the slow boat to Laos such a great trip to do.

Arriving in Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai

If you’ve taken the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang boat this will be your last stop. You should know that the docks are around 10 km outside of the city and you will need a tuk-tuk.

Doing it this way you will probably pay more to get into the centre than in reverse as you can’t pre-book the tuk tuk and the drivers know how desperate you are. Aim to pay around 15,000 Kip (£1.40/ $1.80) each but expect to be approached with a higher figure and do some heavy bartering.

You could also walk some of the way and pick up a tuk-tuk from the road after the rush, after all, what’s a bit of waiting after two days on the slow boat to Luang Prabang! Another tip is to try to share with someone else, especially if you’re travelling alone, so you can slip the cost.

More Information For The Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai Boat

Where to Stay In Luang Prabang 

Best Backpacker Hostel: Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel

As the name suggests this place is set right on the river where you can watch the sunset! It offers a great location to relax. It offers comfortable beds and great bathroom facilities.

  • Swimming pool

  • Easy to get to the city

  • Breakfast

Best Economy Hotel: On The Mekong Resort

This lovely bungalow-style wooden built hotel is right on the banks of the mighty Mekong. This hotel offers great well-kept private rooms in a heritage building for great prices.

  • Balconies overlooking the river

  • Beautiful terrace and garden

  • Cooking classes

Best Place for a Reasonably Priced Treat: Muangthong Boutique Hotel 

The Muangthong Boutique Hotel is a 4-star hotel for a really reasonable price. This charming place is in a great location in a quiet area just outside the town centre, you can also rent bikes for free.

  • Private balconies

  • Swimming pool

  • Spa and wellness centre

See More Options Here:

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Every traveller loves themselves some awesome accommodation.

Whether that’s a kickass hostel with epic facilities, a luxurious hotel for chilling out or even a guest house or homestay for a unique experience.

Here at The Roaming Renegades we book any and all of our stays via Booking.com. We love their range of accommodation types, safety features and loyalty program.

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Arriving in Huay Xai And Transiting Into Thailand And On To Chiang Mai/ Rai 

Arriving in Huay Xai you have a few options, some choose to stay in the town overnight and continue the journey the next day. We took a tuk-tuk for around 15,000 Kip (£1.40/ $1.80) to the border as we didn’t want to add an extra night onto the journey.

You will first pass through Laos immigration and officially leave the country. (You might have to pay an extra 10,000 Kip fee depending on the time and how you’re border guard is feeling!)

Now you must take the shuttle bus across the friendship bridge for 10,000 Kip (£0.90/ $1.20) The wait is usually just a few minutes.

Then you will pass through Thai immigration and into the outskirts of the town of Chiang Khong. 

Here you have a few options. The last local cheap bus from the border to Chiang Rai leaves at 5 pm, so if you have come straight off the boat you will likely miss it, seems like bad planning to me! We’ve missed it both times!

So you can either spend the night in Chiang Khong and take the cheap bus to Chiang Rai the morning after for around 65 Baht (£1.50 / $2 ) or to Chiang Mai for around double the price. 

Or if you want to get to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai that night you will have to take a minibus. You will usually get enough people wanting to do the same route to be able to share the cost, the prices are set but there is some room for negotiation if there is a group that needs for example a bus and a car as we did.

Expect to pay around 350 Baht (£8) each, steep considering how much the local bus is but it’s comfortable and will get you there that night. To Chiang Mai expect to pay around double this.

The normal bus (Pretty much like a normal bus we get in the UK, not like a coach!) from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai should cost around 130 Baht (£3/ $4) for standard class if you want to spend a day in Chiang Rai first and see the White Temple and other highlights before heading on to Chiang Mai.

However, if you want to save some messing around and be sure to have a ticket for the bus and book ahead at least that morning. It’s easily possible to spend the morning at the white temple and around the city before getting the late afternoon/ early evening bus. It takes around 3-4 hours.

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Where to Stay In Chiang Mai

Best Backpacker Hostel: Baan Lung Poshtel

An incredibly well-designed and thought-out hostel where each room has been custom-built for comfort with hanging space and cool dividers for privacy. It has to be one of the nicest hostels we’ve seen!

  • Close to the street food markets

  • Communal areas are great for socialising or working

  • Each bed has its own pull-out locker

Best Economy Hotel: CREW Hotel

A lovely and well-designed modern hotel that offers a sleek design and comfortable rooms. It provides a really excellent standard of accommodation for incredible prices.

  • Swimming pool

  • Restaurant, bar and cafe

  • Close to Chiang Mai Gate

Best Place for a Reasonably Priced Treat: El Barrio Lanna- SHA Extra Plus

Another well-priced gem in Chiang Mai, the El Barrio Lanna- SHA Extra Plus is cheap for the level of service you get here. It has a real homely feel making this an ideal treat for those on a budget.

  • Pool and gardens

  • Onsite restaurant

  • Free bike rental

See More Options Here:

Book Your Accommodation

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Every traveller loves themselves some awesome accommodation.

Whether that’s a kickass hostel with epic facilities, a luxurious hotel for chilling out or even a guest house or homestay for a unique experience.

Here at The Roaming Renegades we book any and all of our stays via Booking.com. We love their range of accommodation types, safety features and loyalty program.

Click the button below to find an unbeatable place to stay!

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Where to Stay In Chiang Rai 

Best Backpacker Hostel: Connect Hostel

A great clean, contemporary and well-designed hostel close to the centre of town. It’s a perfect example of a modern boutique hostel. The hostel also offers free bikes as well as lounge and terrace spaces.

  • Specially designed beds with curtains

  • Spacious lockers

  • Kitchen space with free tea and coffee

Best Economy Hotel: Blue Lagoon Hotel 

Situated right in the centre of town near the bus station this modern offering is a great economy hotel. It’s ideal for couples as the price for a double room is comparable to that of a bed each at an upmarket hostel!

  • Swimming pool

  • Sun terrace

  • American and Asian breakfast

Best Place for a Reasonably Priced Treat: The Heritage Chiang Rai

Boasting “world-class service” and offering “celebrity treatment” it’s hard to believe the reasonable prices for this level of accommodation.

  • Two pools

  • Fitness centre

  • Buffet breakfast

See More Options Here

Book Your Accommodation

The Best Place to Book Your Next Stay

Every traveller loves themselves some awesome accommodation.

Whether that’s a kickass hostel with epic facilities, a luxurious hotel for chilling out or even a guest house or homestay for a unique experience.

Here at The Roaming Renegades we book any and all of our stays via Booking.com. We love their range of accommodation types, safety features and loyalty program.

Click the button below to find an unbeatable place to stay!

Book a Tour for Chiang Rai Here

Cost, Time, Advice & Summary

The Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai/ Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang Slow Boat

Time:

Each day on the Laos to Thailand slow boat will be between 7-9 hours.

Depending on which way you travel and it could take between 2-3 days for the journey.

The Chiang Mai to Laos slow boat route takes longer due to travel time to the border from Chiang Mai itself and then because the boats only leave in the morning.

Travelling from Luang Prabang however, is quicker but more expensive as you can take a minibus from Chiang Khong to Chiang Mai the night you arrive.

  • Day 1: Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong (5.5hrs), tut-tuk from Chiang Khong to the border, shuttle bus across the border, tuk-tuk to Huay Xai. Spend the night in Huay Xai.  The main objective of this day is to get from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai and effectively from Chiang Mai to Laos. 

  • Day 2: Tuk-tuk from Huay Xai to docks, boat leaves around 8:00 am buy tickets at the harbour and arrive early or book online. 7-8 hours on the boat. Arrive in Pak Beng and spend the night. Accommodation is easy to organise before you get there.

  • Day 3: Get to the docks at 7:30 am boat leaves at 8:00 am, and buy tickets on board or online. Pak Beng to Luang Prabang 8-9 hours on the boat. Tuk-tuk from docks to Luang Prabang centre/ accommodation.

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Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai Summary

  • Day 1: Tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang/ Accommodation to the harbour. The boat from Luang Prabang to Pak Beng leaves at 8:00 am, buy tickets at the harbour and arrive early or prebook online. Arrive in Pak Beng 8-9 hours later and stay the night. Accommodation is easy to organise before you arrive.

  • Day 2: Get to the docks at 7:30, the boat from Pak Beng to Huay Xai leaves at 8:00 am, buy tickets on board or online before. 7-8 hours on board. Arrive in Huay Xai. Here you have three choices:

1. Take a cheap tuk-tuk to Huay Xai centre and stay the night before crossing the border and heading to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai the day after. Accommodation is cheap and you can get the cheap local buses in the morning. Adds another day but it’s cheaper. 

2. Take a tuk-tuk to the border, take the shuttle bus across the friendship bridge, cross into Thailand, and take a tuk-tuk/ taxi to Chiang Khong. Spend the night before heading to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai the day after. Accommodation in Chiang Khong is cheap and you can get the cheap local buses in the morning. Adds another day but it’s cheaper. 

3. Take a tuk-tuk to the border, take the shuttle bus across the friendship bridge, cross into Thailand, and organise a minibus outside the border to either Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. These are expensive for the region but can often be shared with other travellers and will get you to your destination on your second day.

Local buses are cheap and often between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai or you could book your bus here

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Our Favourite Backpacks

Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview

We’ve used the Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!

The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!

Slow Boat To Luang Prabang Cost Breakdown

  • Tuk Tuk to harbour to/from Luang Prabang 15,000 Kip (£1.40/ $1.80) Expect to pay more in reverse.

  • Boat total: 220,000 Kip (£20 / $26)

  • Accommodation in Pak Beng: 50,000 Kip (£4.60 / $5.90)

  • Tuk Tuk to border: 15,000 Kip (£1.40/ $1.80)

  • Shuttle bus over the bridge: 10,000 Kip (£0.90/ $1.20)

Optional

  • Minibus to Chiang Rai that evening: 350 Baht (£8/ $10.70)

  • Minibus to Chiang Mai that evening: 600 Baht (£13/ $18.40)

  • Tuk Tuk into Chiang Khong: 100 Baht (£2.30/ $3)

  • Accommodation in Chiang Khong: 170 Baht (£4/ $5) for a dorm, and 325 Baht (£8/ $10) for a private room. 

  • Bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai with Greenway standard class: 130 Baht (£3/ $4)

  • Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong: Roughly 250 Baht (£6 / $7.70)

Advice

  • There is an onboard shop selling noodles and crisps to each as well as beer, water, soft drinks and coffee. But it’s best to bring some food along just in case as some boats might just not sell anything! You don’t stop anywhere on the way where you could buy food.

  • A great thing to do when you are at Pak Beng is to get your accommodation to make up a sandwich to take with you for the second day which a lot of places do for a good price.

  • Bring a hoodie and some socks for the early morning or if it gets a bit too windy on board as it can feel chilly in the shade. Also, bring some sun cream for when the sun is on your side of the boat!

  • Bring along a book or a movie or your Kindle as the journey is long but also smooth enough to write your diary etc.

  • Get your camera out and ready, there are some beautiful scenes along the way! Also, make sure you’ve got a decent phone too for all those reels!

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Sony a7 IV

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  • Arrive at the dock early to get a good seat. The very front is usually where the locals sit as they will often be getting off at random places along the way and it’s usually wooden benches. The very back however is where the engine is and can be very noisy. Try to get somewhere in between on one of the bus-style seats.

  • Take your time and don’t stress too much, this is the long-winded way to make this trip and can take 3 days, but it’s relaxing and enjoyable!

  • Bring power packs for your phone as there isn’t usually power available on board. Our second boat did have sockets but they didn’t work!

  • The boat is usually pretty calm being on a river but you should keep your valuables such as your passport inside a dry bag just in case! Be aware that the dry season is actually rougher and more dangerous.

  • There is a toilet on the slow boat to Laos from Chiang Mai for those asking and it’s not too bad! Bring some toilet rolls just in case it runs out or doesn’t have any. In Asia, in general, is a always good idea!

Other Options For Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang Travel

If you’re wondering how to get to Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai or vice versa and you don’t think you will have time for the slow boat from Thailand to Laos then what are the other options?

You can take the bus which is an overnight 18hr ride through some winding mountainous roads. This is a convenient option as there is no messing about with staying over in different towns and several different methods of transport. All in all it also probably works out to be the cheapest option too as you don’t have to pay for overnight accommodation. However, if you are travel sick it’s going to be a long night!

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Another quicker way when considering how to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is to take a flight. This only takes an hour so cuts down a lot of travel time from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang.  Ok, you miss out on the Thailand to Luang Prabang by boat experience but you do save time! The flight from Chiang Mai -Luang Prabang will also be the most expensive option.

Have you ever taken the Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai slow boat or gone the other way from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?

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