Job Discussion Forums

richie122 · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 101 Location: Seattle, Wa, USA

Hey Everyone,
I'm going to fly from America to Thailand soon. After my vacation I want to travel to China. I don't have the money to fly though. I am led to beleive that Laos has no railway system. So my question is there a train from Bangkok straight to Kumming, China? If so I would like the information on where to book tickets... If not... Any suggestions would be well appreciated. Thanks to all

Volodiya · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:31 am Post subject:

There's no rail link, that I know of, but you could go by train all the way to Nong Khai on the border with Laos. Then, you could work your way north by bus, via Laos, to Yunnan Province, in China, and beyond. China has a well developed system of rail passenger service.

legaleagle · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 Location: HCMC

If you are looking to get there on the cheap, you might also take the $8ish bus from BKK to Cambodia and then the $4ish bus to Saigon and then the $25ish bus to Hanoi and then you could pick up the train into China. There would be about $50 in visas also, and some overnights but if you've got the time it would be a memorable trip.

Travel Zen · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject:

Taking 12 - hour buses in Asia would be memorable ... but not always good.

Take the plane and save yourself a gagging grungy slow death.

Volodiya · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:52 pm Post subject:

I agree with previous poster, buses could be a drag, but both Thailand and China have sleeper buses, if you don't mind missing the scenery.

sojourner · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:12 am Post subject:

Richie,

Getting to China, from Bangkok, isn't that expensive - or even that inconvenient. If you merely want to save money, there is no need to take tiring, long-distance bus journeys through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos Vietnam - and China, itself - in order to reach your ultimate destination. Have you ever heard of a no-frills airline called AirAsia ? Check it out : http://www.airasia.com/general.php?p=pmain&l=en

Bookings and payments are made over the Internet. AirAsia have fares as low as 2850 Baht - about 95 AUD / CAD, or 70 USD - for Bangkok to Macua flights. From Macua airport, it'll be a short bus or taxi ride to the border, then make your way to the nearest large town, where there should be a long-distance bus station or railway station. Once you're inside Guandong, I'd imagine that it shouldn't be too difficult to find a way to get to Kunming. However, as I am not very familiar with southern Guandong, maybe someone else might want to comment on the bus and train services to Kunming.

Peter

Volodiya · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:35 am Post subject:

Interesting approach, Sojourner, and the train service, once he gets into China, is good, including service to Kunming.

richie122 · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 101 Location: Seattle, Wa, USA

Thanks a lot everyone. I think i'll take sojourner method. I'm not worried about the time on a bus, it seems that it would end up being more expensive taking trains and busses. Once again, thanks a bunch

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

Well, take the bus to Chiang Rai and you can get from Chiang Rai to southern China by either bus or boat or a combination of both. Know of several people who have made the joruney and it wasn't difficult at all. Figure a day from Chiang Rai to China.

Volodiya · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:09 am Post subject:

Sgt, was that going through Burma? or Laos? My understanding is that China will only allow Burmese to cross their shared border and that, only for day trading.

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

Volodiya · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:06 am Post subject:

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

yeah and sometimes some of us post for others to have information. Sometimes people like to take the adventure route......