Vientiane application number 500 - when should I start queuing?

[edwardandtubs]

My flight from Udon is at 2150 so ideally I'd like to catch the 1630 bus from Vientiane. Will I have time or will I still be waiting for my passport after 4 pm?

[BritTim]

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.

[darrendsd]

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

[edwardandtubs]

29 minutes ago, 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.

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.

Edited March 19, 2018 by edwardandtubs

[edwardandtubs]

12 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

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

That would be perfect but contradicts the previous response so I'm still not sure!

[thaitero]

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...

[edwardandtubs]

Just now, 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...

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

[ubonjoe]

17 minutes ago, 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?

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. 

[thaitero]

20 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

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

Do not book that bus. Even if you make it, it will be tight..Life Planning like that will get you early grey hair, not good,,,

[darrendsd]

49 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

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

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

[edwardandtubs]

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.

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, 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

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

[BritTim]

15 minutes ago, 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.

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.

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, 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.

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.

Edited March 19, 2018 by edwardandtubs

[edwardandtubs]

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.

Edited March 19, 2018 by edwardandtubs

[edwardandtubs]

I got there just after 1030 and there were no queues. Is the rate of taking in the applications the same as handing them back? If so mine should be ready before 4.

[nkg]

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

Edited March 19, 2018 by nkg
disclaimer

[yimlitnoy]

20 hours ago, darrendsd said:

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

Maybe you should ask them, are you shy?  How anybody else would know?

[johnray]

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.

Edited March 20, 2018 by johnray

[sanemax]

20 hours ago, 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.

 

 

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

[sanemax]

2 minutes ago, 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.

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

[garryjohns]

20 hours ago, 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.

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.

[edwardandtubs]

On 19/03/2018 at 2:52 PM, darrendsd said:

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

 

6 hours ago, 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.

 

5 hours ago, sanemax said:

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

 

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.

[edwardandtubs]

6 hours ago, 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.

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!

[edwardandtubs]

On 19/03/2018 at 4:04 PM, 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

You were right again. It took 2 hours station to station.

[Acemaker]

22 hours ago, 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.

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.

[pearciderman]

On 3/19/2018 at 3:04 PM, 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.

 

Why do people ask questions and then answer them themselves.

 

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

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, 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.

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.

[sanemax]

19 hours ago, 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.

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

[edwardandtubs]

6 hours ago, 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

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.