Vientiane, Laos Visa Run Report

[rainman]

for all those who wanted to know how my visa run to Vientiane, Laos went, here is a little report:

Day 1: Flight from BKK to Udon Thani. Stayed at the Royal Mekong Hotel right at the left side of the Thai border and at the shores of the Mekong river. If you like swimming, there's a pool so bring your stuff (i didn't). Good hotel, around 900B for a night including breakfast.

Day 2: Took a "tour" for the visa run to Laos from the Hotel. A few thousand B all included. "Tour guide" took us across the Lao border, filled out all the forms, visa forms for both Laos and the Thai Embassy, etc. and we were through quite fast. Then on to Vientiane. Submitted the visa applications which took about 20 mins. They recommended a hotel for 200B/night or so. We checked it out but then decided against it. I had 3 beds in my room and while i was deciding which had less stains on it and i was getting ready to sleep in the chair, my friend found a week old "easter egg" in his toilet and couldn't get the smell out of the room. Needless to say, we left and went to the Novotel. Great hotel, high speed internet (!!), very nice rooms (better than some of the Hiltons i've been to in the US). About 30-40 USD per night, but that's fair i guess. Went to sleep happily and laughing / making jokes about the other hotel.

Day 3: Went to pick up the visas. Everything alright, then went back to Thailand over the Friendship Bridge (from where we came, too). Again the guy filled out our forms so there was nothing to do. Took about 10 minutes to get out of Laos, did some duty free shopping and then went back to Thailand where it took another 10 minutes. Same day flight back to Bangkok around 8:30pm and here i am.

Conclusion: Much cheaper than going to KL for a visa, where i went last time. Stay in a good hotel in Laos, i recommend the Novotel. But thats up to you. The traveling on the road makes you a little tired, but its alright. No questions asked for visa issuing, just submitted the application and picked it up next day. Will be going there most likely for by B visa in a few months.

*phew*

[chingy_]

I never been there so i wouldn't know a thing, just curious why didn't you fly straight to Vientiane.

im not too fond of buses, especially long distance ride, i avoid it at all cause, is there a cheap flight to Vientiane.

[rainman]

The cheapest flight i found is about 14,000B both ways, while Thai to Udon Thani cost about 4000B both ways.

[chingy_]

Air Asia have flight to Udon Thani for 300baht one way

[rainman]

Those are usually booked and i generally don't trust Airlines i've never heard of before. I failed to mention, i flew Thai Business Class for that price.

[udon]

Took a "tour" for the visa run to Laos from the Hotel. A few thousand B all included. "Tour guide" took us across the Lao border, filled out all the forms, visa forms for both Laos and the Thai Embassy, etc. and we were through quite fast. Then on to Vientiane. Submitted the visa applications which took about 20 mins

Rainman, thanks for the report.

How much did the fixer charge? 2000 or 3000B incl. the visa?

Sounds like a good alternative to Penang and KL.

cheers,

udon

[chingy_]

Those are usually booked and i generally don't trust Airlines i've never heard of before. I failed to mention, i flew Thai Business Class for that price.

you never heard of Air Asia, i thought everybody in this forum would know them by now, 300 vs 4000baht thats a big different, for 4k i can fly to penang for 2 people plus one day hotel

http://www.airasia.com/general.php?p=pmain&l=en

[The Coder]

How can one obtain these flight & Novotel prices? The round trip biz class fare I am see to Udon is 7000, not 4000. Novotel for $30-40 US? Haven't seen anything remotely close to that!

[lopburi3]

The round trip biz class fare I am see to Udon is 7000, not 4000.

We are talking Bangkok/Udorn/Bangkok. Are you?

[rainman]

Went to the airport directly about two hours before the flight and booked the ticket (business class, too) and same with the Novotel ..just walked up to the reception. And yeah, that's 4000 one way.

[The Coder]

Yes--expedia.com is showing $176 (about 7000 baht).

[frenchFARANGbkk]

for all those who wanted to know how my visa run to Vientiane, Laos went, here is a little report:

Day 1: Flight from BKK to Udon Thani. Stayed at the Royal Mekong Hotel right at the left side of the Thai border and at the shores of the Mekong river. If you like swimming, there's a pool so bring your stuff (i didn't). Good hotel, around 900B for a night including breakfast.

Day 2: Took a "tour" for the visa run to Laos from the Hotel. A few thousand B all included. "Tour guide" took us across the Lao border, filled out all the forms, visa forms for both Laos and the Thai Embassy, etc. and we were through quite fast. Then on to Vientiane. Submitted the visa applications which took about 20 mins. They recommended a hotel for 200B/night or so. We checked it out but then decided against it. I had 3 beds in my room and while i was deciding which had less stains on it and i was getting ready to sleep in the chair, my friend found a week old "easter egg" in his toilet and couldn't get the smell out of the room. Needless to say, we left and went to the Novotel. Great hotel, high speed internet (!!), very nice rooms (better than some of the Hiltons i've been to in the US). About 30-40 USD per night, but that's fair i guess. Went to sleep happily and laughing / making jokes about the other hotel.

Day 3: Went to pick up the visas. Everything alright, then went back to Thailand over the Friendship Bridge (from where we came, too). Again the guy filled out our forms so there was nothing to do. Took about 10 minutes to get out of Laos, did some duty free shopping and then went back to Thailand where it took another 10 minutes. Same day flight back to Bangkok around 8:30pm and here i am.

Conclusion: Much cheaper than going to KL for a visa, where i went last time. Stay in a good hotel in Laos, i recommend the Novotel. But thats up to you. The traveling on the road makes you a little tired, but its alright. No questions asked for visa issuing, just submitted the application and picked it up next day. Will be going there most likely for by B visa in a few months.

*phew* 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does Novotel has river view?

[richard10365]

I like going to Vientiane for my visas but I never fly. I usually take the over night train from Bangkok. I usually spend less than 8000 to 10000 baht for the round trip to include the visa.

[frenchFARANGbkk]

I like going to Vientiane for my visas but I never fly. I usually take the over night train from Bangkok. I usually spend less than 8000 to 10000 baht for the round trip to include the visa.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And you never feel bored to take the train?

I did that when I was young, but really, it's now so cheap to take a plane with air asia...

[udon]

I would never spend a brass razoo in Laos while the 20,000 Hmong are being starved and persecuted in the northern Lao jungle.

See http://news.sbs.com.au/dateline/index.php?...sum=2005-10-19#

Read the transcript or watch the video.... disgusting response from the U.N and the US State dept.

[sabaijai]

for all those who wanted to know how my visa run to Vientiane, Laos went, here is a little report:

Day 1: Flight from BKK to Udon Thani. Stayed at the Royal Mekong Hotel right at the left side of the Thai border and at the shores of the Mekong river. If you like swimming, there's a pool so bring your stuff (i didn't). Good hotel, around 900B for a night including breakfast.

Day 2: Took a "tour" for the visa run to Laos from the Hotel. A few thousand B all included. "Tour guide" took us across the Lao border, filled out all the forms, visa forms for both Laos and the Thai Embassy, etc. and we were through quite fast. Then on to Vientiane. Submitted the visa applications which took about 20 mins. They recommended a hotel for 200B/night or so. We checked it out but then decided against it. I had 3 beds in my room and while i was deciding which had less stains on it and i was getting ready to sleep in the chair, my friend found a week old "easter egg" in his toilet and couldn't get the smell out of the room. Needless to say, we left and went to the Novotel. Great hotel, high speed internet (!!), very nice rooms (better than some of the Hiltons i've been to in the US). About 30-40 USD per night, but that's fair i guess. Went to sleep happily and laughing / making jokes about the other hotel.

Day 3: Went to pick up the visas. Everything alright, then went back to Thailand over the Friendship Bridge (from where we came, too). Again the guy filled out our forms so there was nothing to do. Took about 10 minutes to get out of Laos, did some duty free shopping and then went back to Thailand where it took another 10 minutes. Same day flight back to Bangkok around 8:30pm and here i am.

Conclusion: Much cheaper than going to KL for a visa, where i went last time. Stay in a good hotel in Laos, i recommend the Novotel. But thats up to you. The traveling on the road makes you a little tired, but its alright. No questions asked for visa issuing, just submitted the application and picked it up next day. Will be going there most likely for by B visa in a few months.

*phew* 

Does Novotel has river view?

No, in fact it's rather far from the river and anything else in town. If you want to be in town in a hotel of similar standard, try Tai-Pan or Lao Plaza.