Get in
By plane
The nearest airport (on the Thai side) is in Udon Thani, 56km away. There are direct shuttle buses four times a day between the airport and the Friendship Bridge (2km outside Nong Khai), plus taxis and minibuses that will take you in to Nong Khai proper.

Thai Airways and Air Asia operate flights between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Udon Thani. Nok Air operates a service between Bangkok (Don Muang) and Udon.

By train
Nong Khai is the terminus of the Northeastern railway line from Bangkok via Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. The trip takes 10-12 hours and a first class sleeper ticket from Bangkok to Nong Khai or vice versa is currently about 1200 baht, and a second class sleeper ticket (not bad for the price) is 748 baht ($21.43 USD as of Jan 2009). Sleepers often sell out at peak times so you may need to book in advance.

Shuttle services now operate onward from Nong Khai to Tha Nalaeng, Laos (near Vientiane) four times a day, synced to the arrivals and departures of the Bangkok trains. You can only buy tickets at Nong Khai station, and you need to pass through immigration as well. (If coming in on train #69 from Bangkok, there's a 90-minute window to do this.) Once the formalities are done, the trip itself across the Friendship Bridge only takes 15 minutes. Visa on arrival is now available on the Lao side

By bus
There are departures to Udon Thani at least once per hour from the BKS station on the main drag, Prajak road. The hour-long ride costs 20 baht in 3rd class (non-air con).

There are several departures daily from Bangkok (~9 hours), Khon Kaen (110 baht, class 2, with stoppage at Udon Thani)and across the border direct from Vientiane (55 baht, 17000 kip, two hours) via the Friendship Bridge.

A 1st class bus service connects Nong Khai directly with Suvarnabhumi Airport (the new BKK).

Get around
The only mode of public transport in the city is by tuk-tuk. Although the price has gone up recently due to the increased cost of gasoline, they remain inexpensive at 20-30 baht/person to anywhere around the city centre.

Some tuk-tuk drivers will ask for much more than 20-30 baht/person, but you can generally bargain with them to reach a reasonable price. When bargaining, smile and be patient and polite (or just walk down the street until you see a roaming tuk-tuk, which will probably be cheaper - and walking a short distance is sometimes the only way to get a reasonable price when arriving at the Friendship Bridge from Laos).

A trip to or from the Friendship Bridge can cost upwards of 70 baht for tourists if only one passenger is on board, although the normal price is 40-50 baht.

Another great way to discover Nong Khai and its surroundings is by bicycle. Some guesthouses and several rental places around town offer bicycles (30 baht/day) and motorbikes (200 baht/day). Lower prices can usually be negotiated for longer rentals - try the rental stand outside the Mut Mee guesthouse or at Limmaneemotor on Meechai Road. Go for the one on Meechai Road first, their motorbikes are a lot better and the people there are very nice. You'll need a copy of your passport if you wish to rent one. Very cheap for long term rental.

Our boats cruising to Nong Khai
R.V Mekong Sun Nong Khai
R.V. Mekong Island Nong Khai
R.V. Mekong Explorer

Hotels in Nong Khai
Budget accommodation is of good value, extensive and affordable relative to the other more popular cities of Thailand.

Mut Mee Guesthouse, by the Mekong river west of Thasadej market. Long-established and understandably popular. In a large tree filled garden overlooking the river, it has both simple and higher quality rooms surrounded by hammocks and a variety of seating. It has a boat called the Nagarina which cruises on the river at sunset. Mut Mee owns the Gaia bar mentioned above. Yoga & meditation classes are also available. Large range of good food and drinks.
Amazon Guesthouse[www.amazon-guesthouse.com], a garden guesthouse. Laid-back but efficient accommodation. Close to the natural park and Mekong River. Has an outdoor lounge area where you can relax with a book and enjoy views of the river.
Mekong Guesthouse, also by the Mekong river on the bridge side of the market has rather expensive rooms with aircon but they also have a dorm for 150 baht with hot shower and TV. There's a good chance of being the only person in there too.
Sawasdee Guesthouse, only 5 minutes from the bus station by foot. Situated in an old, colonial style building on a good location you will find single rooms with a fan for 140 baht and double rooms with air-con a few hundred baht more (Jan 2010). The rooms are good and clean, guesthouse has nice communal area and a free wlan. Friendly and helpful owner who can give you lots of tips for getting around. Great value for money.
Friendship Guesthouse, in the Soi right next to the Sawasdee guesthouse. (402 Meechai Rd), on the left side towards the Mekhong. It's only 10 minutes from the bus station by foot, so save the 20 baht because the guesthouse is a bit expensive, but one of the most beautiful and romantic places in town. A renovated dark-red wooden house set in a lush garden with beautiful double rooms for about 400 baht.
Khiang Khong Guest House, beside the river. A new guesthouse, family run. Good rooms, hot water, comfortable beds.