• Train Travel
  • Urban Rail Transit
  • Where To Stay

Nomadic Notes

Travel blog and weekly travel newsletter

  • Blog
  • Travel Newsletter

Notes on Luang Prabang in the new era of the train

September 7, 2023 By James Clark 8 Comments

I visited Luang Prabang by train from Vientiane shortly after Laos reopened in 2022. While Luang Prabang was abnormally quiet then, it was evident that Luang Prabang would be transformed by the Laos-China Railway. This is my trip report and general observations. Visiting Luang Prabang before the train My first visit to Luang Prabang was […]

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: laos, luang prabang

Notes on Vientiane: Riding the new railway and the gravitational pull of China

May 25, 2023 By James Clark 6 Comments

I visited Vientiane not long after the borders reopened in May 2022. I was there to ride the new Laos-China Railway, which had been running since December 2021. The last time I was in Vientiane was via train from Bangkok, and the next time I visit will probably be when the line from Thailand is […]

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: laos, vientiane

Where to stay in Luang Prabang: Best areas and hotels in Luang Prabang

May 14, 2023 By James Clark

Where to stay in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia and a highlight for any visit to Laos. Calling it a city seems a bit of a stretch as it feels more like a big country town. And within the UNESCO World Heritage protected zone, some parts feel like it hasn’t changed for […]

Filed Under: Where To Stay Tagged With: laos, luang prabang

Laos-China Railway – A review of the Vientiane to Boten train

June 14, 2022 By James Clark 43 Comments

The Laos-China Railway opened on the 2nd of December 2021, making it the first railway in Laos (not counting the border shuttle at Thanaleng from Nong Khai in Thailand). The train from Vientiane to Boten takes just 3.5 hours, and its main stops include Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Muang Xai. Laos was still closed […]

Filed Under: Train Travel Tagged With: laos, laos-china railway, luang prabang, southeast asia rail, vientiane

Hotel Review: Vientiane Luxury Hotel, Vientiane – Laos

May 19, 2022 By James Clark

Hotel Name: Vientiane Luxury Hotel Address: No 070, Lane 8, Rue Phanompenh Road, Ban Anou, Chanthabouly Dist, Vientiane, Laos I stayed at the Vientiane Luxury Hotel in Vientiane, Laos. I booked online at the rate of $13.86 USD per night, and I booked it for its price and location in Laos. Despite its name, the […]

Filed Under: Accommodation Tagged With: hotel, laos, vientiane

Laos-China Railway – Travel information for the Boten-Vientiane Railway

October 22, 2019 By James Clark 10 Comments

The Laos-China Railway (also referred to as the Boten – Vientiane Railway) opened on 2 December 2021, making it the first passenger railway in Laos. This railway will be connected to trains from Kunming in China, and eventually, there will be direct services from Bangkok. Laos also has a station at Thanaleng near the Thai-Laos […]

Filed Under: Train Travel Tagged With: laos, railway, southeast asia rail

A complete guide to train travel in Southeast Asia

February 1, 2019 By James Clark 12 Comments

Travel by train in Southeast Asia

A complete guide to Southeast Asia train travel, featuring resources for buying tickets and reviews of rail travel in the region. An introduction to Southeast Asia Railways Travel by train is a great way to experience the landscapes of Southeast Asia and to meet the people who live here. Personally, I think train travel is […]

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: cambodia, indonesia, java, laos, malaysia, myanmar (burma), philippines, railway, singapore, southeast asia rail, sumatra, thailand, train, vietnam

Notes on Luang Prabang: Soups, trains, bad bikes, and waterfalls

June 19, 2018 By James Clark 5 Comments

Notes on Luang Prabang: 2018 trip report

The last time I visited Luang Prabang I remember leaving sooner than I would have preferred. It might just be the most charming town in Southeast Asia. Since that trip in 2010, I’ve often thought about if it would be a good base to stay for a while. It ticks the boxes of having plenty […]

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: laos, luang prabang, notes on

The best cafes in Luang Prabang

June 13, 2018 By James Clark 6 Comments

The best cafes in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage city that is filled with cool cafes in beautiful old buildings. It’s an ideal place to stay and work, or recombobulate after roughing it through provincial Laos. I was there for a week so I got to visit most of the cafes. These were the highlights of my […]

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: cafe, laos, luang prabang

Flight Review: AirAsia – Luang Prabang to Bangkok

June 6, 2018 By James Clark

Flight Review: AirAsia – Luang Prabang to Bangkok

Flight: AirAsia FD 1031 From: Luang Prabang (LPQ) To: Bangkok (DMK) I flew with AirAsia from Luang Prabang to Bangkok. I booked it after comparing flights with Skyscanner. This was the return leg of my Luang Prabang trip, and AirAsia was the cheapest option again. Luang Prabang airport is close to the city centre, and […]

Filed Under: Flight Review Tagged With: air asia, bangkok, laos, luang prabang, thailand

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Weekly Travel Newsletter

Sign up for the weekly travel newsletter for the latest posts, and a roundup of best travel reads from around the web.
Subscribe For Free Here [No spam, unsubscribe anytime.]

About Nomadic Notes

James Clark from Nomadic Notes

Hi, I’m James Clark, and I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a location independent travel business. Nomadic Notes is a travel blog featuring travel guides and notes from my travels.

More about me and Nomadic Notes.

Follow Nomadic Notes

Recent Posts

  • Sumatra Railways: A guide to every train line in Sumatra
  • Where to stay in Phan Thiet (Mui Ne): The best beach areas and hotels
  • Notes on Luang Prabang in the new era of the train
  • How to get from Medan to Lake Toba by train and bus
  • Kualanamu Airport Rail Link: The Medan airport train
  • Where to stay in Singapore: The best areas and notable hotels
  • Metro maps of India: High-resolution maps of every metro system in India
  • Where to stay in Bangkok: the best areas and hotels for visitors (2023)
  • Train 261: Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) to Hua Hin by Ordinary Train
  • Subway maps of Japan: High-resolution maps of every metro system in Japan

Where to stay in Southeast Asia

Malaysia
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Singapore
Where to stay in Singapore

Thailand
Where to stay in Bangkok

Vietnam
Where to stay in Da Nang
Where to stay in Hanoi
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Southeast Asia Rail Travel

Southeast Asia current and proposed railways

A complete guide to train travel in Southeast Asia

About Nomadic Notes

About
Advertise
Contact
Contribute
Press/Media Mentions
Where I've Been

Search Nomadic Notes

Travel Notes

Travel Notes

Travel Resources

Digital Nomad Resources
Long-term Travel
Travel Blog Directory
Travel Gear
Travel Insurance
Travel Sites

Where To Stay In…

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Hong Kong
Jakarta
Kuala Lumpur
Macau
Penang
Singapore

Travel Newsletter

Sign up for the weekly travel newsletter for the latest posts and a roundup of best travel reads from around the web.

Copyright © 2023 Nomadic Notes · Site Map | Privacy · Log in