We were picked up on time from our pick up point and taken to the bus station. We then got on the sleeper bus which stopped at Pakse station, the drivers were rude waved us away to the incorrect bus, whereby the driver of said bus also waved us away. Felt quite stranded for some time until a nice gentleman who didn’t even work for the station communicated on our behalf and we eventually got picked up. Just felt like a unnecessarily complicated journey that needed some more communication or instruction from the transport team.
รถบัส รถนอน, Soutchai Travel, 11 มี.ค. 2024
R M
Roisin M
After transfer from vang vieng had to contact operator as it was unclear where we needed to be picked up for the next bus, beds small but expected
รถบัส รถนอน, Soutchai Travel, 26 ก.พ. 2024
L B
Louisa B
Easy ride, picked up from location and taken to a bus station for a overnight journey.
Good communication, Soutchai emailed to say when the taxi bus would arrive. They took us to the bus station where we boarded the bus - the overnight double bed is small. Hubby is over 6 ft and it was really made for a 5ft person. The people guided us through the whole journey, bus, minibus and ferry - there was always someone making sure we were on the right transport, so all good. Not sure we'd do the overnight bus again but it was all a good experience. Toilet on the bus was basic but clean. Everyone was very kind and friendly. There were no food stops so bring your snacks - there was food at the first bus station though.
รถบัส รถนอน, Soutchai Travel, 29 ธ.ค. 2023
G S
Georgia S
Overall a comfortable ride. Blanket, snacks and drinks provided. I would suggest having your own pillow and eye mask for extra comfort.
Staff do not speak English.
The pickup did not show up. After waiting 2 hours I got a tuktuk paid by the company because I would miss the big bus. That’s quiet stressfull. The whole bus had to wait for me and I had the last free chair. Did not like this for sure.
รถบัส พื้นที่, Soutchai Travel, 28 ต.ค. 2023
C Z
Carolina Z
the bus left late, lost my airpods on the bus - i knew i had dropped them under the seat but was basically dragged off the bus and not given the chance to look under seat for them- the driver literally started driving away. the operators were rude
Bus left two hours later than was promised. We had to wait two hours at the busstation and employees told is multiple times the bus would leave shortly, but it didn’t.
Eventually two busses left. One fully packed with people (we we’re in this one) and one with just three people in it. The A/C in the bus didn’t work, so it was so warm.
Tuk tuk arrived on time at our hotel to take us to the bus station. From there it was one bus to Udon Thani with stops at the border crossings.
Fast and efficient. Would recommend.
Went with a bus with almost no air-conditioning (which was especially noticeable in 37C) and the departure was pushed back without advance warning from 1pm by an hour presumably so we could all get a nice tan under the midday sun. But that's Laos! Apart from the above everything went smoothly
I had a bad experiece using Soutchai Travel. I thought I was paying a premium to travel in a nice shuttle van (as pictured on their webpage), but instead it was just a tuk-tuk that took me to the Central Station, then a dirty, old bus.
But this bothered me less than the way time was managed. I was ready 30 minutes before the pick-up time as instructed. The tuk-tuk driver showed up about 40 minutes later. Fine, whatever. Then we drove across town to another hotel for another pick-up. The other passenger wasn't there. I sat there for another 25 minutes before the driver finally gave up and we went to the Central Station. He bought my ticket at the station, just as I could have; the station is only 10 minute walk from where I was staying. And I really wish I'd done just that. Leaving Vientiane later than expected - for no reason - made me stress about making my Udon Thani flight.
TL;DR - I paid a premium for Soutchai to waste my time and stress me out.
The places are to small- I had not enough place for my legs. We need 3,5 hours more for the journey. But the driver looked for a safe journey!
รถบัส พื้นที่, Soutchai Travel, 23 ก.พ. 2023
R C
Rhea C
Super impressed with this travel company ! My hostel was not on the list for pick up so ended up going to their office, despite not having booked it direct with them they still changed my pick up for me to my hostel. Super smooth. Good minivan made it to Vang Viengbin about 2 hours !
Did not get the minibus I booked but an old big bus. Had to wait for 1,5 hour after arriving at the station. Arrived 45 minutes late. Well, this is Laos.
The driver who did the transfer from the accommodation came looking like he walked out of his living room, coughed without covering his mouth and spit through the window.
The trip was fine. It was 9.5 h long (for 300 km) because the road going south from Vientiane is horrible, but that's not the carrier's fault. The driver and the ticket seller didn't know a word of English and acted as if there were no foreigners in the van. They didn't understand when I was trying to ask them how long the break is going to be (not even in broken Lao).
รถบัส พื้นที่, Soutchai Travel, 21 ม.ค. 2023
S S
Smith S
Good just only vehicle condition but service was bad and not on time (2 hour late)
This was suppose to be a 4 hour journey but we were only half way through at this point. It ended being a 7 and a half hour journey without any communication
รถบัส พื้นที่, Soutchai Travel, 15 ธ.ค. 2022
T B
Tim B
According to the TOS they can change the vehicle type. I booked a minivan with 5.5h travel time and ended up in a bus with nearly 8h travel time. The problem was not the changed vehicle, it was the changed schedule. I booked 11.30am - 5pm. The new schedule was 1pm - 8.30pm. So the day was ruined because I had to wait from 10.30am in the lobby for the pickup. The pickup I got was later than they told me. I tried to call the buscompany but the number on the voucher doesn't work. The number which I found on google worked but no one answered my calls.
รถบัส พื้นที่, Soutchai Travel, 15 ธ.ค. 2022
B
Brittanie
The taxi never turned up to our hostel to pick us up. We had to repay for another form of transport to the train station and then had to pay for another ticket for the train. We are yet to be refunded!
They yelled to wake us up for the check point
Yelled at us because we wanted to change seats
Favorite Lao people over us
Didn’t speak English and just tapped on our shoulder and walked so we had to follow them..
รถบัส รถนอน, Soutchai Travel, 9 ธ.ค. 2022
F F
Francisco F
The car was really good and the road too
Unfortunately, the driver put a children bench between two of the seats and since I was the last to be picked, I was the one that had to be seated 2 hours on it, without a place to rest my back.
The driver came far too early, the open vehicle was okay but I was in constant fear our luggage would drop off. In hindsight I should simply have bought the ticket myself and take a grab taxi to the bus station. More comfortable, less waiting time, much cheaper.
On time pick up at hotel although rushed demeanour which became confusing when the tuk tuk then dropped us off at the van to only be told come back in 50mins and we will be departing. We had left bags on the van and then had to switch vans at that point meaning people had lost their seats they were saving. A bit of a shambles start. Proceeded to stop at an autorepair place for a car part before driving out of town about 20mins to only return back the same way and head in the right direction. Once on the road surprisingly good although a little hot (weak air con), but the 1hr40min delay to actually hitting the right direction was a little frustrating. Somehow arrived on time though. Wouldn't highly recommend but we got from A to B.
I booked the transfer for 1pm, was told to be ready for 1230, got picked up at 120pm, then told the actual bus wouldn't leave until 2pm. It is only a short journey but I wasted a huge part of the day waiting and being "ready' . Then my bag was stuffed under someone's seat and I couldn't find it for a long time before I got on the bus. The driver assured me it was there but there was barely enough room for all the passengers and all the bags. The company should not overbook if they don't vehicles large enough for all passengers and all luggage.
Operator was on time and stopped so we could get snacks along the way! I was unable to find the print out of the ticket I had and he was able to let me in using just the email pdf, definitely will be using again!
Please update your hotel listing. The hotel we were in had a name change and was not on your pick up listing. Laotel Vientiane used to be Mercure Hotel.
Jam packed bus! Had our bags at our feet. A bit of confusion leaving Vang Vieng but still arrived in time. Super windy roads and some rough bits of road but the driver handled it well.