There are many border crossings between Thailand and Laos, with the more popular ones being from Nong Khai to Vientiane or Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse, but out of all these border crossings, one of the easiest and fastest border crossing experiences has got to be the Mukdahan to Savannakhet border, which takes only 1 hour total, including immigration time!
In this travel guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about getting from Bangkok or Mukdahan to Savannakhet with ease, based on my firsthand experience while road-tripping around Isaan for a month. Without further ado, here are the different ways you can travel between Bangkok/Mukdahan, Thailand, and Savannakhet, Laos.
The Best Ways to Get from Bangkok/Mukdahan to Savannakhet, Laos
By Overnight Bus + International Bus
The main border crossing between Thailand and Central Laos is at the second Thai-Lao friendship bridge in Mukdahan, located in the Isaan region (Northeastern Thailand). The border is about a 15-minute drive from Mukdahan City, and to get there, you’ll first need to make your way to the Mukdahan Bus Terminal.
If you’re not already in Isaan, your journey will have to start in Bangkok. From your accommodation in Bangkok, make your way to Morchit Bus Terminal and catch an overnight bus to Mukdahan.
There are multiple departures throughout the day, but I recommend taking the overnight bus that leaves at 8:30 PM. The trip takes around 10 - 11 hours, so you’ll arrive in Mukdahan at approximately 6:40 AM, just in time to catch the morning international bus to Savannakhet, Laos. The overnight bus drops you off at the same terminal where the bus to Savannakhet departs, so there’s no need to change stations. Be sure to book your ticket here a few days in advance.
Once you arrive at Mukdahan Bus Station, you can buy the bus ticket to Savannakhet right at the bus station. The buses between Mukdahan and Savannakhet run almost every hour from 6:15 AM to 5:00 PM daily, so there’s no need to book in advance unless you’re traveling during major holidays like New Year’s or Songkran. The fare is around 50 THB per person and includes the border crossing, taking about one hour in total. Super easy and fast!
When crossing into Laos, you might be asked by immigration officials for a small unofficial fee. Sometimes I’ve been let in for free, while other times they’ve requested 100 or 200 THB, but never more. The same happens when you exit Laos and cross back into Thailand, so it’s a good idea to have a few hundred Thai Baht on hand just in case.
Also, if you stay overnight in Savannakhet, you’ll need to pay a 10,000 LAK (about 20 THB) fee after immigration. Once you cross the border, the bus will take you to Savannakhet Bus Station, which is only about a 25-minute walk from the city center, so all you really need to explore the city is your own two feet and you are good to go.
Just make sure to bring a few hundred-baht banknotes when you cross, as the Lao immigration may sometimes ask for small “random” fees, usually no more than 200 THB. To be safe, carry at least three or four 100 THB banknotes with you. From all the Thai-Lao border crossings I've done, this is probably one of the most stress-free and fastest out of all.
By Flight + International Bus
If you are not so keen on sleeping on overnight buses, you can also fly from Bangkok (DMK) to Nakhon Phanom (KOP), the closest airport to Mukdahan via AirAsia or Thai Lion Air. They fly between Donmuang Airport and Nakhon Phanom Airport 4 times a day starting at 7:30 AM until 6:05 PM every day. The journey will take about 1 hour and cost around 25 - 40 USD. You can book the flight here.
Once you arrive at Nakhon Phanom Airport, you can find a bus kiosk that will take you from the airport to Mukdahan Bus Station in about 2 hours and costs around 400 THB per person. They often leave when it's full, so you might have to wait a bit. Since the last bus between Mukdahan and Savannakhet runs until 5 PM, I recommend you take the morning flight just in case, so you don't have to rush to get to the border.
Once you arrive at Mukdahan Bus Station, the rest is pretty straightforward. You can purchase your Mukdahan–Savannakhet ticket directly at the terminal, and the bus will take you to the border in about 30 minutes. After crossing, you’ll need to pay the additional fees at immigration (around 100–200 THB, plus a 20 THB overnight fee if applicable). From there, it’s just a short ride to Savannakhet Bus Station, with the whole journey taking roughly one hour.
By Car + International Bus
If you're driving from Bangkok and want to leave your car in Thailand before crossing the border to Savannakhet, Laos, you can drive to Mukdahan Bus Terminal and park your car there before catching the international bus to Savannakhet.
There are a handful of parking spots around the terminal, and you can park there for free for several nights. Just be sure not to leave any valuables in the car. I’ve done this myself, and everything was perfectly fine. And DO NOT park under a tree, unless you want your car to be covered in bird poop as mine did 😅. Let me tell you, it was a pain to clean!
Once you leave your car at Mukdahan Bus Station, you can purchase your Mukdahan–Savannakhet ticket directly at the terminal, and the bus will take you to the border in about 30 minutes. After crossing, you’ll need to pay the additional fees at immigration (around 100–200 THB, plus a 20 THB overnight fee if applicable). From there, it’s just a short ride to Savannakhet Bus Station, with the whole journey taking roughly one hour.
Traveling from Savannakhet to Mukdahan/Bangkok
If you’re traveling in the opposite direction, the process is just as straightforward. In the morning, you can walk to Savannakhet Bus Terminal to catch the bus back to Mukdahan. The terminal is about a 30-minute walk from Savannakhet Old Town, where most accommodations are located. If not, you can hire a Sam Lor to take you there, but be prepared to negotiate firmly on the price.
The kiosk where you can buy your ticket has an "International Bus Ticket Service" sign above it. The bus runs daily from 8:15 AM to 7:00 PM, and tickets cost around 40,000 LAK or 60 THB (~2 USD). The buses leave on time, and you should reach the border in under 30 minutes.
Again, once you are at the border, you may be asked to pay a random fee of 100–200 THB to the Laotian immigration on your way out, so be sure to keep some Thai Baht with you. They also accept Lao Kip, but not credit cards. The fee seems arbitrary, and Laotians have to pay it too, so it’s best not to question it, especially with the immigration officers 😅.
Once you've crossed the border into Thailand, the same bus will take you to Mukdahan Bus Station where you can then proceed to where you are heading next via buses. There should be many buses that will take you from Mukdahan to Bangkok. You can find the schedule here.
Things to Know Before Traveling from Bangkok/Mukdahan to Savannakhet, Laos
- You might get charged at Laos immigration: Occasionally when crossing into Laos, you’ll be asked for an extra “stamp” or service fee of around 100–200 THB. It seems random, I didn’t pay the first time, but the second time they charged me 100 THB. This happens to both Laos nationals and foreigners, so keep at least a few 100 THB notes on hand before crossing.
- Overnight Fee: Overnight fee of 10,000 LAK or 20 THB is mandatory and you pay after you go through the immigration.
- Get the early bus: If you’re traveling during long holidays like Songkran or New Year, it’s best to arrive at Mukdahan bus station as early as possible to secure a seat on the international bus to Savannakhet. Buses tend to fill up quickly during these times, as many Lao travelers head home, and tickets can sell out fast.
My Experiences Getting From Bangkok to Savannakhet, Laos
Bangkok to Mukdahan
As I mentioned earlier, I crossed the Mukdahan–Savannakhet border during my month-long Isaan trip. I drove from Bangkok to Mukdahan, passing by all sorts of interesting sights along the way. Once I arrived in Mukdahan, I spent the first day exploring the province before continuing on to Savannakhet for the next few days.
On the day of the border crossing, I woke up around 7 AM and headed to the bus terminal by 8 AM. I parked my car inside the terminal area, near where the buses are stationed. You can find the exact location here on Google Maps. Just a tip, avoid parking under any trees unless you want your car covered in bird droppings. That’s exactly what I came back to after three days in Savannakhet 😅.
Once that was done, I went to the international bus kiosk and bought a ticket to Savannakhet for 50 THB. The bus departed right on time at 8:15 AM and was almost full, even on a weekday. If you’re traveling on weekends or holidays, expect it to be even busier. And off I went to Savannakhet!
Mukdahan to Savannakhet
After about 15 minutes on the bus, we were dropped off at the Thai immigration office. The exit process was straightforward, with very few people in the queue. We cleared Thai immigration in under 5 minutes, and after waiting another 5 minutes, everyone was back on the bus. The bus then crossed the Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, which took about 2 minutes.
By around 8:50 AM, we arrived at Lao immigration. I had to pay 100 THB to enter, while some people were asked for 200 THB. I’m not sure what the criteria were, but thankfully I had a few 100 THB notes on hand. If you’re crossing this border, make sure to carry some cash with you!
After passing through immigration, I went to a small kiosk where the attendant asked if I was planning to stay overnight. Since I was, I had to pay an overnight fee of 10,000 LAK (about 20 THB). I suspect if you're just doing a day trip, this fee wouldn't apply.
By around 9 AM, everyone was back on the bus, and we headed to Savannakhet Bus Station, about 15 minutes away. We arrived around 9:15 AM, making the total journey just about one hour. It was one of the swiftest and most stress-free border crossings I've ever experienced! Before long, I was out exploring Savannakhet.
Savannakhet to Mukdahan
On my way back from Savannakhet to Mukdahan, I woke up at 7 AM and walked to Savannakhet Bus Terminal to catch a bus. I arrived at 7:45 AM and was able to get the 8:15 AM bus back to Mukdahan. The ticket cost 40,000 LAK, and the bus departed on time. The border crossing experience was exactly the same as the first time.
Again, when exiting the Lao border, I had to pay 100 THB to the immigration officer. After crossing the bridge back into Thailand and passing through Thai immigration, I was on my way to Mukdahan Bus Station in no time. I arrived by 9:15 AM, and that was it for the border crossing. Pretty straightforward, isn't it?
Further Reading for Laos
Looking for more information for your trip to Laos? Here is a selection of articles that might help you with your trip planning:
- Have more days to spend in Laos and want to thoroughly explore the country from north to south? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Laos Itinerary.
- For a complete Laos backpacking itinerary, check out: 7 Days Backpacking Laos Itinerary By Train.
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-Month Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Looking to spend some time in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos? Be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Vientiane.
- Vang Vieng, the adventure hub of Laos, has much to offer to those seeking adrenaline-rush activities. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng.
- Luang Prabang is my favorite city in Laos and is a place not to be missed. Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang.
- Want to visit Southern Laos? Pakse is a great base for exploring the natural and historical wonders of Champasak Province. For a complete guide to Pakse, check out: Exploring Pakse: 10 Best Things to Do and More.
- Want to go off the beaten path in Laos? How about visiting Savannakhet, a city in Southern Laos full of beautiful french colonial buildings and more. Here's a complete travel guide: Explore Savannakhet: 10 Best Things to Do & More.
- Want to travel from Thailand to Vientiane, Laos? Check this guide out: How to Get From Thailand to Vientiane, Laos & Vice Versa.
- Looking to cross the border from Thailand to Pakse in Southern Laos? Check out: How to Get From Bangkok/Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse, Laos, and Vice Versa.
- Packing for a trip to visit a place as big as Southeast Asia is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Southeast Asia - The Essential Packing List.
- Not convinced by my words about Southeast Asia? Here are 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia now.
- You can also watch my travel video about Southeast Asia here: Watch the "Asia Alive" travel video.
- You can see all my Laos-related articles on my Laos Travel Guide page.
- For more Southeast Asia-related articles, check out my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
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