Eastern & Oriental Express train journey: Bangkok -> Vientiane -> Bangkok
Indulge in the full return journey, travelling Bangkok -> Vientiane -> Bangkok (3 nights),
or enjoy a one-way trip Bangkok -> Vientiane (2 nights) or Vientiane -> Bangkok (1 night)
Day 1 (Tuesday): depart Bangkok - travel northeast
Depart Bangkok in the afternoon. Relax in one of the bar cars, saloon car or in the privacy of your comfortable compartment. Afternoon tea is served as you travel into Northeastern Thailand. Later that evening enjoy dinner in one of the beautiful restaurant cars. Retire to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom by your steward.
Day 2 (Wednesday): Hin Dat, Khao Yai
After breakfast in your compartment, the train arrives at Hin Dat. Disembark for a tour to Phimai, a World Heritage Site and one of the most important Khmer monuments in Thailand. Return to the E&O for lunch as you continue your journey on to Khao Yai. Here you visit local vineyards and have the opportunity to taste wines that are being called “New Latitude Wines”. Reboard the train in the early evening in time to prepare for dinner. Overnight on board.
Day 3 (Thursday): Nong Khai (Thailand), Vientiane (Laos)
The E&O arrives in Nong Khai (the end of the railway line, one kilometre before the border)after breakfast. A coach transfers you to Vientiane across the Mekong via the Friendship Bridge. (Special arrangements in place for E&O guests to clear Lao Immigration.)
- Passengers leaving the E&O in Vientiane should arrange for their local representative to meet them at Lao Immigration at the Friendship Bridge.
- Passengers continuing on the E&O enjoy a full day’s tour of Vientiane, including lunch at a local hotel. The capital of Laos, Vientiane is a city of contrasts where French colonial architecture sits alongside gilded Asian temples. Return to the train by coach.
- Passengers joining the E&O embark.
The train departs Nong Khai late afternoon. Exchange stories of the day’s discoveries with fellow guests over your final dinner. Overnight on board.
Day 4 (Friday): arrive Bangkok
Breakfast is served in your compartment before the train arrives back into Bangkok, where you disembark.
| Timetable | arrive | depart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Bangkok (Hualampong station) | - | 14:00 |
| Wednesday | Hin Dat - tour to Khmer ruins at Phimai Khao Yai - vineyard visit for wine-tasting |
8:30 15:00 |
11:20 18:20 |
| Thursday | Nong Khai - coach transfer to Vientiane across Friendship Bridge border Vientiane - day tour including lunch |
8:30 - |
- 17:30 |
| Friday | Bangkok (Hualampong station) | 9:30 | - |
Departure dates*:
* Schedule subject to change
- Tuesdays, from Bangkok (Bgk)
- Thursdays, from Vientiane (Vnt)
| from: | Bgk | Vnt |
| 2011: dates to be announced | ||
Fares 2010 - tariffs are unchanged from 2009 !