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Posted

If afternoon processing is still at a similar rate to last year, I do not think you will make the 16:30 bus. Catching the 21:50 flight will still be easy, but you will need to make other arrangements to travel to Udon airport.

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 7:38 AM, BritTim said:

If afternoon processing is still at a similar rate to last year, I do not think you will make the 16:30 bus. Catching the 21:50 flight will still be easy, but you will need to make other arrangements to travel to Udon airport.

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What makes you say that? The ticket says collect it between 1330 and 1600. Are they still handing them out after that time? If I get it at 1600 I can walk to the bus station in 15 minutes.

 

I think the best alternative is the 1800 bus which should get me there on time if I do mobile check in but a bit close for comfort.

 

Problem is the bus has to be booked in advance.

Posted

Just go restaraunt near the embassy, take some beers, eat and enjoy..:) People going in and out, ask them what number is up. It is o.k to miss your number and go to line if number is higher...

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Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 8:08 AM, thaitero said:

Just go restaraunt near the embassy, take some beers, eat and enjoy..:) People going in and out, ask them what number is up. It is o.k to miss your number and go to line if number is higher...

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Thanks but that doesn't help if I book the 4.30 bus and miss it. 

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 8:04 AM, edwardandtubs said:

What makes you say that? The ticket says collect it between 1330 and 1600. Are they still handing them out after that time?

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They keep handing out the passports until they have done all of them they don't stop at 16:00. If you get there after 16:00 the gates will be closed. 

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Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 8:11 AM, edwardandtubs said:

Thanks but that doesn't help if I book the 4.30 bus and miss it. 

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Well the simple solution would be to not book the 4 30 bus, you have hours to get to the Airport, even if you left at 6 30 you would still make it in plenty of time

Posted

Does the bus take 2 and a half to three hours as one website says? If so I might get to Udon bus station at 9, leaving not much time to get to the airport. As long as it doesn't take more than 3 hours I should be ok though.

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 9:04 AM, darrendsd said:

Well the simple solution would be to not book the 4 30 bus, you have hours to get to the Airport, even if you left at 6 30 you would still make it in plenty of time

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I admire your optimism! How long did the bus take last time you took it?

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 10:38 AM, edwardandtubs said:

Does the bus take 2 and a half to three hours as one website says? If so I might get to Udon bus station at 9, leaving not much time to get to the airport. As long as it doesn't take more than 3 hours I should be ok though.

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It is better to

  • get transport to the bridge on the Laos side;
  • use the shuttle service to cross the bridge; and
  • get one of the minibuses that go direct from the bridge on the Thai side to Udon airport (less than an hour).

The international bus to Udon bus station only makes sense if planning to travel onward by bus.

  • Like 2
Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 10:57 AM, BritTim said:

It is better to

  • get transport to the bridge on the Laos side;
  • use the shuttle service to cross the bridge; and
  • get one of the minibuses that go direct from the bridge on the Thai side to Udon airport (less than an hour).

The international bus to Udon bus station only makes sense if planning to travel onward by bus.

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Is this the same 'limousine' van that does the trip from the airport to the bridge? If they're frequent enough that might be the best option.

 

The international bus seems like a good option if you can get the timing right because there are fewer changes required and the taxi to the airport is only 50 baht and about 10 minutes.

Posted

Actually the flight leaves at 2135 so I think I'll book the 1630 bus and hope to get my passport back before 4. If I'm too late I'll catch a moto to the border and hope to catch up with the bus there.

 

Lesson learned: the great idea to avoid the queues by getting there late isn't a good idea if you have a flight from Udon.

Posted

You can get a taxi from the Laos border to Udon Thani airport for 1000-1500 baht. I got chatting to a few other people worried about their flights, I think we paid 400 baht each to a rather attractive female driver. At our request she drove extremely quickly, and we all made our flights.\

 

Not saying it's necessarily the best option, but it IS an option if you are desperate to catch your flight

Posted

They move superfast. The ticket numbers go out of order.  5 people at a time and one security guy grabs you by the arm pulls you forward than shoves you aside.

 

If you miss it you are screwed.

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 8:04 AM, edwardandtubs said:

What makes you say that? The ticket says collect it between 1330 and 1600. Are they still handing them out after that time? If I get it at 1600 I can walk to the bus station in 15 minutes.

 

 

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They hand out passports at about 3 per minute and stay open until all pps have been handed back

Posted
  On 3/20/2018 at 4:52 AM, johnray said:

They move superfast. The ticket numbers go out of order.  5 people at a time and one security guy grabs you by the arm pulls you forward than shoves you aside.

If you miss it you are screwed.

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Some people used to queue jump and now a security guard checks peoples numbers

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 8:04 AM, edwardandtubs said:

What makes you say that? The ticket says collect it between 1330 and 1600. Are they still handing them out after that time? If I get it at 1600 I can walk to the bus station in 15 minutes.

 

I think the best alternative is the 1800 bus which should get me there on time if I do mobile check in but a bit close for comfort.

 

Problem is the bus has to be booked in advance.

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Why use buses?

Get a van/taxi from the embassy to border 150_200 baht.

As soon as you depart Laos border control you can get a taxi all the way to the airport (stopping and waiting, of course to do your Thai entry)

for 300 baht.

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 7:52 AM, darrendsd said:

They start to give them out at 1 30pm, If you are number 500 it will take 90 mins to 2 hours

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  On 3/20/2018 at 4:52 AM, johnray said:

They move superfast. The ticket numbers go out of order.  5 people at a time and one security guy grabs you by the arm pulls you forward than shoves you aside.

 

If you miss it you are screwed.

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  On 3/20/2018 at 4:54 AM, sanemax said:

They hand out passports at about 3 per minute and stay open until all pps have been handed back

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All these posts are accurate, only it was all very relaxed, no security guard pushing anyone. I got there at 3.20 and my number came up 2 minutes later. I was in and out in under 5 minutes so had plenty of time to walk to the station. I did buy a ticket in advance for the 4.30 but there was no need as there are only 10 people on this 40 seater bus.

Posted
  On 3/20/2018 at 4:58 AM, garryjohns said:

Why use buses?

Get a van/taxi from the embassy to border 150_200 baht.

As soon as you depart Laos border control you can get a taxi all the way to the airport (stopping and waiting, of course to do your Thai entry)

for 300 baht.

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I prefer it my way. I have a double seat to myself with no one in the seats around me. No faffing about with annoying tuktuk drivers or hanging around at the friendship bridge. And I get to have dinner in Udon before a short taxi ride to the airport. Total transportation cost: 150 baht!

Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 2:03 PM, edwardandtubs said:

Actually the flight leaves at 2135 so I think I'll book the 1630 bus and hope to get my passport back before 4. If I'm too late I'll catch a moto to the border and hope to catch up with the bus there.

 

Lesson learned: the great idea to avoid the queues by getting there late isn't a good idea if you have a flight from Udon.

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I avoid the stress i plan my Trip in advance, i stay an extra night in Vietianne, at a Hotel near Thai Embassy within walking distance, £20 a night with Breakfast, 4 * really nice, and make my way to Udon Fanny Airport the next day at my Leisure.

  • Heart-broken 1
Posted
  On 3/19/2018 at 8:04 AM, edwardandtubs said:

What makes you say that? The ticket says collect it between 1330 and 1600. Are they still handing them out after that time? If I get it at 1600 I can walk to the bus station in 15 minutes.

 

I think the best alternative is the 1800 bus which should get me there on time if I do mobile check in but a bit close for comfort.

 

Problem is the bus has to be booked in advance.

Expand  

 

Why do people ask questions and then answer them themselves.

 

If you don't want advice, don't ask for it.

Posted
  On 3/20/2018 at 12:34 PM, Acemaker said:

I avoid the stress i plan my Trip in advance, i stay an extra night in Vietianne, at a Hotel near Thai Embassy within walking distance, £20 a night with Breakfast, 4 * really nice, and make my way to Udon Fanny Airport the next day at my Leisure.

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It turned out great in the end. No time pressure at all, just a leisurely stroll to the bus station, 2 hours from Vientiane to Udon bus stations, a nice dinner in the city and then I splashed out on a Grab car to the airport which cost 110 baht. Total transport cost still only 200 baht.

 

Could you share the name of the hotel? I spent 1000 baht a night for an unimpressive hotel. Whenever I've stayed in Vientiane I've felt the hotels are substandard and overpriced.

  • Like 1
Posted
  On 3/20/2018 at 12:34 PM, Acemaker said:

I avoid the stress i plan my Trip in advance, i stay an extra night in Vietianne, at a Hotel near Thai Embassy within walking distance, £20 a night with Breakfast, 4 * really nice, and make my way to Udon Fanny Airport the next day at my Leisure.

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I dont like to slum it, I stay in the 5* hotel a few doors down from the consulate , the embassy being quite far away , for 35 GBP per night , breakfast and lunch included , then get my driver to drive me direct to the airport , stopping off for a quick gamble in the casino

Posted
  On 3/21/2018 at 7:58 AM, sanemax said:

I dont like to slum it, I stay in the 5* hotel a few doors down from the consulate , the embassy being quite far away , for 35 GBP per night , breakfast and lunch included , then get my driver to drive me direct to the airport , stopping off for a quick gamble in the casino

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Of course you can't really get a 5 star hotel for £35 but if it makes you feel good to imagine you're in one, that's great. And I assume by "my driver" you actually mean some random guy on a tuk tuk.

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