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If you think Europe is the only continent where you can enjoy (somewhat) seamless train journeys between different countries, wait until you hear about Asia New announced cross -border railway service 3 fascinating destinations.
Soon tourists will be able to get on a train in Bangkok, Thailand, who go to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and travel to the southwestern province of Yunnan in China.
Here is everything you need to know about this exciting new development and when you can expect the train to start working:
Thailand to China (via Laos) soon on a fast train?
Service from Laos to China was launched in 2023, as soon as COVID-related limitations had been completely lifted, consisting of 643 miles of tracesAnd marking the first long-distance railway for the lesser-known Southeast Asian gem.
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is only part of the ambitious Belt and Road initiative of China, usually shortened to only Bri, to which a new side road has been indicated by geopolitical analysts.
According to Xi Jinping itself, it is meant that the ‘break the bottleneck’ hinders the connectivity of Asia, aimed at China Better road and maritime connections To neighboring countries.
The ‘D’ and ‘K’ trains that reach China run to 99 miles per hour and stop in no fewer than 10 Laotian municipalities, including popular tourist destinations such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang (bypassed by the ‘D’ trains) and four Chinese Cities, ending in Kunming.
Now, on that promised Thailand extension:
This is what we know so far about the expansion of Thailand
On February 4, Thai authorities approved the expansion of the Laos China Railway in Thailand, and even the most shocking, The construction is already going on.
A total of 379 miles of traces will be laid from Bangkok to Nong Khai, on the border with Laos, and because plans were already approved in May last year, about 36% of the work on the ‘first phase’ is completed.
This refers to the piece between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, the largest city in the northeast of Thailand, ready to become an important transithub for travelers on the (soon extensive) Thailand-Laos-China Railway.
The second phase refers to 221 miles of traces that connect Nakhon Ratchasima on the Laotian border, and as local media have strengthenedThis section will contain five stations, And A logistics hub, near Nong Chai, to facilitate freight transfer between Thailand and Laos.
179.4 billion Baht (Aproximate US $ 5.3 billion) have already been spent on this project, and with Thailand his intention to call tenders at a certain moment this year, The full budget has to sail up to 341 billion baht.
Anyway, those budget discussions are hardly relevant to travelers.
How much does tickets cost and when can you travel on this train?
How many are tickets on the Laos-China Railway?
As with every train journey in Asia, the prices depend on the distance traveled, the class of the chair, as well as the type of train:
There are low speed and fast trains on the Laos-China railway that would otherwise be priced, and of course you have to expect a little more to pay for a little more comfort in your car or considerably more if you book a lie flat couchette.
It is always best to check the official website, or do not fail (we know that Laotian and Chinese websites are not exactly user -friendly),, Ask the train station how many tickets areBut they will vary from around $ 18 to $ 55 per person, one way.
Again, that is just an estimate and only for the trains of Laos-China.
At the moment we do not know how many tickets will cost to leave or travel to Thailand.
In terms of completion, We have to expect trains to reach Bangkok by 2030.
That said, some stations can open earlier because of the phased construction, and given that 36% of the first phase has already been delivered, we would not be surprised if the launch date was eventually pushed forward.
You know how fast the Chinese are when it comes to building stuff …
Now, for the visa restrictions …
Finally, no matter how exciting this also sounds, you need to know that as a Westerner visa restrictions there can be in place.
Last year a large number of European countries gained visa-free access to China for a maximum of 30 days, until December 31, 2025, at least this includes France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Greece, and much more.
Unfortunately, Americans and Canadians are not the same privilege (At least so far).
Unless you enter China via a transithub, such as Shanghai or Beijing, where American passport holders get visa -free access up to 144 hours when they are on their way through the country somewhere without leaving the province in question, you need a tourist visa.
Chinese tourist visa are not impossible to get, but The process is not exactly without any problems. It is about visiting the nearest Chinese consulate where you live in America, provide documentation and,,, In some cases even Attend an interview.
This is particularly relevant because the province of Yunnan of China, where the train ends, does not offer visa -free access for passengers arriving via land.
On the other hand, the arrival of Laos is far less complicated As American:
You still need a visa, but it is issued online (you can submit a request before your trip), or to the arrival, which costs around $ 40.
For the time being, Americans can come in visa-free in Thailand, although later this year a new ETA requirement will be in force that will prohibit current visa-free travelers from going on board Thailand-related flights if they have not obtained a digital travel permit in advance.
And you thought the dark days of travel restrictions were in the past, isn’t it?
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This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
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