Slow boat from Thailand (Pai) to Laos (2024 Guide)

The slow boat from Thailand (Pai) to Laos (Luang Prabang) was one of the most chilled out and relaxed journeys I have had in a decade of solo travel. As a solo female traveller, I would recommend it to anyone who has the time and inclination to spend two days on a boat floating down the Mekong. It's a completely different and relatively stress-free way to cross the border while combining a chance to meet fellow backpackers, travellers and locals along the way.

While it's important to be balanced and say that I know not every traveller has the same experience – some have found the boat ride uncomfortable, boring or not met anyone on the journey. But I can only share my own experiences and as someone who was travelling solo, I loved every second!

I was so lucky with the crowd I had on my slow boat, it was full of warm, friendly locals and some of the most intelligent, artistic and talented travellers. From conversations literature and plays, to silly games, playing cards and singing along to the guitar that was constantly strumming away. One talented woman was travelling with her daughter and has quietly been sketching and painting my friends and I at the front of the boat for her travel diary.

I think what was most refreshing of all was that the slow boat from Thailand to Laos thrust us all into a situation where there was no wifi and no-one was looking at a screen. We all spent time getting to know each other and genuinely connecting, I laughed so much and we made so many memories over those two days.

Everything You Need to Know About The Slow Boat

I know that many travellers aren't sure whether to make the two day journey down the Mekong River – if you're on a tight schedule then it eats up a lot of time. Some solo travellers have concerns around safety or feeling lonely, and other travellers just want to know if they're missing out if they choose to fly instead. Well here I'll answer all your questions and more – here's everything you need to know before booking the slow boat from Pai to Laos:

What can I expect from the two-day slow boat from Thailand to Laos?

The long boat that you travel on from Thailand to Laos is actually very comfortable with enough seats for everyone and plenty of space. If you book through a tour operator, you will usually have transport to the Thai border town of Huay Xai included in the price. For the two-day journey, you will have to pay for accommodation for the night in the tiny town that you stop in, be prepared to haggle!

The boat is super calm and there isn't much movement, so for those who struggle with motion sickness, you will barely notice the boat moving (take ginger tablets before travel if you're worried). It was well worth the two day journey to witness the riverside landscape of rolling hills, deserted beaches, rocky cliff faces and occasionally some naked, local children playing and giggling in the river.

Is the slow boat from Thailand to Laos safe for solo travellers?

Yes the slow boat from Thailand (Pai) to Laos (Luang Prabang) is safe for those who are travelling solo, and for any women who are travelling by themselves. I travelled solo throughout South-East Asia and felt safe pretty much everywhere, and this slow boat was no exception. It's always worth chatting to people in your hostel before you book the boat to see if anyone else is travelling on the slow boat and would like to travel together.