Visa run to laos

[prem]

Just got back from a trip to Laos for the inevitable 'visa

run' trip, and will give a little from my experiences if it helps

anyone. Before going Mrs T and I went to the Laos embassy to get a visa beforehand to save time and money. The cost of the visa depends upon your nationality - in my case Brit (1050 Baht) and in Mrs T's case Thai (300 Baht).

We got a '1st class' coach from Morchit bus terminal (Northern

terminal) for the price of 351 Baht each. There were only about a dozen or so of us on the coach. The seat reclined a little, but not enough to get comfortable. After 2 hours the bus pulled into a bus terminal and almost straight back out.

At midight (another 2 hours) we stopped again at another larger bus terminal and were given a 10Baht coupon for the eatery from the bus company. That was as much use as a

7-11 silver stamp. The stop was 20 minutes, but a little stretch.

We arrived at Nong Khai 'bus terminal' at 5am to be greeted by tuk tuk drivers running alongside the slowing bus. We asked to be taken to the Porntawee Hotel - one I had seen on the net, and it seemed to be fairly central on the map. We took a double room for 475 Baht per night with air-con, UBC TV, shower/WC, phone, and 24 hour room service.

The tuk tuk driver asked for 100 Baht for a 5 minute trip - which was lowered to 60 Baht when the owner/manager(ess)??? (A kateoy) intervened with the price. We later learned that a standard price was 40Baht for most places, which we were charged after that.

There was a VIP room for 600 Baht per night, but 2 double beds seemed a bit pointless, as well as 3 of the walls being glass/windows.

We flagged a tuk tuk to take us to the 'border bus terminal'

(40 Baht), then a minibus (10 Baht) took us to both immigration points and across the bridge. 1st Thai exit, where we were delayed but only as Mrs T hadn't filled in a departure card. Then back on a bus to the Laos side. We queued and upon getting to the booth handed passport and

paperwork over to have it given back with a blank entry card to complete - word of advice take a pen or 2. We tried again and after 5 minutes we were stamped with 28 days in our passports. Changed only 300 Baht into Laos Kip, and for the day was far too much as Baht is widely accepted and so it seems preferred.

The tuk tuk drivers 1st asked for 300 Baht to Vientienne - we

kept walking, and it came down to 150 Baht. We got one later for 100 Baht. If you are brave enough there is a bus into Vientienne (number 14 I think) This costs 1500 Kip, or about 7 Baht, but very crowded even by Thai standards.

After a few hours wondering around Vientienne and taking some photos we took the bus back to the border which drops

off at the immigration buildings, and then everything was the same in reverse. At each point except exiting Thailand a 10 Baht fee is charged, and another 90 days given to me.

As we had been uncomfortable on the bus we decided to take the overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok. 1st class sleeper is over 1000 Baht each, but this is basically a private twin room with bathroom. We took the 2nd class air-con sleeper which costs between 550 Baht and 620 Baht - the lower bunk is more expensive.

The train is slow 11 hours or so getting into Bangkok around 6:30am after leaving Nong Khai at 7pm, but we were a lot more comfortable.

Mr T

[sarpesius]

Just got back from a trip to Laos for the inevitable 'visa

run' trip, and will give a little from my experiences if it helps

anyone. Before going Mrs T and I went to the Laos embassy to get a visa beforehand to save time and money. The cost of the visa depends upon your nationality - in my case Brit (1050 Baht) and in Mrs T's case Thai (300 Baht).

We got a '1st class' coach from Morchit bus terminal (Northern

terminal) for the price of 351 Baht each. There were only about a dozen or so of us on the coach. The seat reclined a little, but not enough to get comfortable. After 2 hours the bus pulled into a bus terminal and almost straight back out.

At midight (another 2 hours) we stopped again at another larger bus terminal and were given a 10Baht coupon for the eatery from the bus company. That was as much use as a

7-11 silver stamp. The stop was 20 minutes, but a little stretch.

We arrived at Nong Khai 'bus terminal' at 5am to be greeted by tuk tuk drivers running alongside the slowing bus. We asked to be taken to the Porntawee Hotel - one I had seen on the net, and it seemed to be fairly central on the map. We took a double room for 475 Baht per night with air-con, UBC TV, shower/WC, phone, and 24 hour room service.

The tuk tuk driver asked for 100 Baht for a 5 minute trip - which was lowered to 60 Baht when the owner/manager(ess)??? (A kateoy) intervened with the price. We later learned that a standard price was 40Baht for most places, which we were charged after that.

There was a VIP room for 600 Baht per night, but 2 double beds seemed a bit pointless, as well as 3 of the walls being glass/windows.

We flagged a tuk tuk to take us to the 'border bus terminal'

(40 Baht), then a minibus (10 Baht) took us to both immigration points and across the bridge. 1st Thai exit, where we were delayed but only as Mrs T hadn't filled in a departure card. Then back on a bus to the Laos side. We queued and upon getting to the booth handed passport and

paperwork over to have it given back with a blank entry card to complete - word of advice take a pen or 2. We tried again and after 5 minutes we were stamped with 28 days in our passports. Changed only 300 Baht into Laos Kip, and for the day was far too much as Baht is widely accepted and so it seems preferred.

The tuk tuk drivers 1st asked for 300 Baht to Vientienne - we

kept walking, and it came down to 150 Baht. We got one later for 100 Baht. If you are brave enough there is a bus into Vientienne (number 14 I think) This costs 1500 Kip, or about 7 Baht, but very crowded even by Thai standards.

After a few hours wondering around Vientienne and taking some photos we took the bus back to the border which drops

off at the immigration buildings, and then everything was the same in reverse. At each point except exiting Thailand a 10 Baht fee is charged, and another 90 days given to me.

As we had been uncomfortable on the bus we decided to take the overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok. 1st class sleeper is over 1000 Baht each, but this is basically a private twin room with bathroom. We took the 2nd class air-con sleeper which costs between 550 Baht and 620 Baht - the lower bunk is more expensive.

The train is slow 11 hours or so getting into Bangkok around 6:30am after leaving Nong Khai at 7pm, but we were a lot more comfortable.

Mr T

Good report. But...

I would have stayed in Vientiane a week. Or longer to see what delights it had to offer.

sarpesius

[lopburi3]

If you ever use long distance bus again would highly recommend you pay the extra for Super VIP (24 seat - 3 across) (that used to be the normal but there may be other variations now as have not used bus in years) as they are much more comfortable.

[abdulrahman]

If you ever use long distance bus again would highly recommend you pay the extra for Super VIP (24 seat - 3 across) (that used to be the normal but there may be other variations now as have not used bus in years) as they are much more comfortable.

And if you take the "international" bus from NongKhai or UdonThani,no problem with the tuk-tuk drivers either side of the border;cheaper too!

[samran]

And, I wouldn't have bothered paying 300 baht for your wifes visa. Thai nationals get 30 days on arrival.

Great trip report though. Vientiene is always a good change of pace for a couple of days!

[jackspratt]

Original post dated 2002-12-1 (or 1-12-2002 in real english).

Has anything changed since then?

jack