Friendship bridge Nong Khai - Laos opening time

[yuiop]

Till what time is it possible to cross the bridge and enter Laos?

I'm arriving in Udon Thani airport at 15:15 and planning to go soon to Vientiane, sleep there and going to the Embassy the day after.

Is a taxi the best way from the airport to the bridge?

 

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

No problem to cross the bridge and enter Laos with your schedule. The bridge is open until 22:00.

There are vans from the airport to the bridge that you use for a fee of about 200 baht.

[SunsetT]

If u want to save money and have a more interesting and greener journey, take the 20thb Udon City bus or a tuktuk to the railway station and take the 16.55 train for the extortionate amount of 11thb arriving at Nong khai railway station at 17.30. Then take 20-30thb (5 minutes) baht bus/tuktuk to the bridge.

Edited January 12, 2020 by SunsetT

[Caine]

1 hour ago, SunsetT said:

If u want to save money and have a more interesting and greener journey, take the 20thb Udon City bus or a tuktuk to the railway station and take the 16.55 train for the extortionate amount of 11thb arriving at Nong khai railway station at 17.30. Then take 20-30thb (5 minutes) baht bus/tuktuk to the bridge.

Not everyone is a Cheap Charlie. No wonder we're not wanted here.

[CelticTam]

As Ubonjoe says, catch the minibus service from the airport (220 Baht) to to the Friendship Bridge.

 

You should arrive around 4.45. Exit at Thai immigration - finger print control in operation. Pass through and catch the bus over the bridge every 15 minutes or so, at 20 Baht. Apply for visa application and Lao Arrival/Departure form when you arrive in Laos. You need 1 x Photo and $35 + $1 overtime, or 1,500 Baht - obtain the forms and return at Window 1. You wait 10 minutes and receive your passport at Window 3 - check visa and stamp and proceed to exit gate and avoid the Lao immigration booths as you have already cleared Lao immigration.

 

Proceed to exit point where you will be required to present your passport - 30 seconds later and you are on your way. There are a number of options to travel from the Friendship Bridge to Vieng Chan.  Option 1. Catch a taxi: usually 300 Baht or negotiate and try and share with others - this option is best if you don't know the geography and depends where you want to stay overnight; option 2. Catch the number 14 bus, based on the right as you exit, to the central Bus station next to Talat Sao = 8,000 Kip or 25 Baht or $1. You can walk to most central hotels/guest houses in 15 minutes. Option 3. You can also catch a sontaew to Talat Sao for 8,000 Kip, though they will try to charge you more. Try to book your room prior to arrival.

 

Remember, you apply for your visa at the Thai Consulate not the Thai Embassy. Also, make sure you have all your docs including the page containing your exit stamp from Thailand/ entry stamp to Laos. Experience indicates that many people arrive early and queue up to submit their application - I recommend you aim to arrive around 11.00 a.m as the crowds should be gone.

 

Last but not least, I assume you have received confirmation of your appointment.

 

If you are in a hurry to get back to Thailand after you receive your passport and visa on the afternoon on day 2, try and share a mini bus taxi to the border. Alternatively, if you have time, catch the international bus from Vieng Chan to Udon and catch a tuk tuk to the airport (100 Baht).

 

Best of luck

 

[Ireland32]

7 hours ago, CelticTam said:

As Ubonjoe says, catch the minibus service from the airport (220 Baht) to to the Friendship Bridge.

 

You should arrive around 4.45. Exit at Thai immigration - finger print control in operation. Pass through and catch the bus over the bridge every 15 minutes or so, at 20 Baht. Apply for visa application and Lao Arrival/Departure form when you arrive in Laos. You need 1 x Photo and $35 + $1 overtime, or 1,500 Baht - obtain the forms and return at Window 1. You wait 10 minutes and receive your passport at Window 3 - check visa and stamp and proceed to exit gate and avoid the Lao immigration booths as you have already cleared Lao immigration.

 

Proceed to exit point where you will be required to present your passport - 30 seconds later and you are on your way. There are a number of options to travel from the Friendship Bridge to Vieng Chan.  Option 1. Catch a taxi: usually 300 Baht or negotiate and try and share with others - this option is best if you don't know the geography and depends where you want to stay overnight; option 2. Catch the number 14 bus, based on the right as you exit, to the central Bus station next to Talat Sao = 8,000 Kip or 25 Baht or $1. You can walk to most central hotels/guest houses in 15 minutes. Option 3. You can also catch a sontaew to Talat Sao for 8,000 Kip, though they will try to charge you more. Try to book your room prior to arrival.

 

Remember, you apply for your visa at the Thai Consulate not the Thai Embassy. Also, make sure you have all your docs including the page containing your exit stamp from Thailand/ entry stamp to Laos. Experience indicates that many people arrive early and queue up to submit their application - I recommend you aim to arrive around 11.00 a.m as the crowds should be gone.

 

Last but not least, I assume you have received confirmation of your appointment.

 

If you are in a hurry to get back to Thailand after you receive your passport and visa on the afternoon on day 2, try and share a mini bus taxi to the border. Alternatively, if you have time, catch the international bus from Vieng Chan to Udon and catch a tuk tuk to the airport (100 Baht).

 

Best of luck

 

Cheaper to pay in dollars , is what he’s saying