Laos Visa Run!

[steve19836]

Im waying up options on where to go and do my next visa. Already sussed Malaysia out. If I went to Laos whats the visa required to go there? Can I get one on arrival at the friendship bridge is it? If I choose Laos I will go on my own and does anyone know the best mode of transport to get up to Nong Kai from Bangkok........basically a layout of what to do from start to finsish, how long to allow and prices etc.

[TaurusUK]

Im waying up options on where to go and do my next visa. Already sussed Malaysia out. If I went to Laos whats the visa required to go there? Can I get one on arrival at the friendship bridge is it? If I choose Laos I will go on my own and does anyone know the best mode of transport to get up to Nong Kai from Bangkok........basically a layout of what to do from start to finsish, how long to allow and prices etc.

Hi. I made a post a few days ago about getting into Laos and the friendship bridge/visa on arrival routine.it may help.

[steve19836]

Im waying up options on where to go and do my next visa. Already sussed Malaysia out. If I went to Laos whats the visa required to go there? Can I get one on arrival at the friendship bridge is it? If I choose Laos I will go on my own and does anyone know the best mode of transport to get up to Nong Kai from Bangkok........basically a layout of what to do from start to finsish, how long to allow and prices etc.

Hi. I made a post a few days ago about getting into Laos and the friendship bridge/visa on arrival routine.it may help.

I just read your posts from when you did but im a little confused. You got your visa the same day did you? That 10 minute wait? So I can get visa on arrival to get into Laos is that correct? Any idea of double entry tourist visa and visa....basically everything covered........

Many thanks.

[Macclad]

Get an early morning flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani.Nok Air has an early morning flight at 6am if you can make it ! Cost,one way,is about 1600 baht.

At Udon Thani airport get the minibus into town (ask to be dropped off at the Bus station)....cost about 60 baht,I think.

Get the bus from Udon Thani to Nong Khai....buses leave every 30 minutes,cost no more than 100 baht.

At Nong Khai bus station get a saamlaw to the Friendship Bridge....cost about 40 baht.

Exit Thai Immigration and catch the bus across the Friendship Bridge....about 10 baht ??

At Laos Immigration ask for a Visa on Arrival form and arrival/departure card.Fill both of these in and hand them in along with your passport and 1500 baht.

You will be given a visa stamp for 30 days.

Enter Laos,you have to pay an arrival tax on your way through (about 50 baht).

You will then be offered various transport options to Vientiane by a number of people trying to make money out of you......a saamlaw on your own should cost maximum 300 baht,other options like shared transport a lot less.

Sorry I cant be exact with the baht costs because I did the Udon-Vientiane bit by car but prices shouldnt be too far out(Laos visa 1500 baht is spot on).

Hope this helps.

[abdulrahman]

Get an early morning flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani.Nok Air has an early morning flight at 6am if you can make it ! Cost,one way,is about 1600 baht.

At Udon Thani airport get the minibus into town (ask to be dropped off at the Bus station)....cost about 60 baht,I think.

Get the bus from Udon Thani to Nong Khai....buses leave every 30 minutes,cost no more than 100 baht.

At Nong Khai bus station get a saamlaw to the Friendship Bridge....cost about 40 baht.

Exit Thai Immigration and catch the bus across the Friendship Bridge....about 10 baht ??

At Laos Immigration ask for a Visa on Arrival form and arrival/departure card.Fill both of these in and hand them in along with your passport and 1500 baht.

You will be given a visa stamp for 30 days.

Enter Laos,you have to pay an arrival tax on your way through (about 50 baht).

You will then be offered various transport options to Vientiane by a number of people trying to make money out of you......a saamlaw on your own should cost maximum 300 baht,other options like shared transport a lot less.

Sorry I cant be exact with the baht costs because I did the Udon-Vientiane bit by car but prices shouldnt be too far out(Laos visa 1500 baht is spot on).

Hope this helps.

1)Flight,O.K. 1600 Baht?Only if you book early(2-3 week in advance)or you are lucky!

Bus from airport to bus station:O.K.

Bus Udon-Nong Khai O.K.

Nong Khai Bus station to Friendship Bridge:no way,Tuktuk and bargain.

Bus across the Bridge,now,20 Baht.

Visa form and a photo and 35$ (most countries) OR 1500 Baht.

Arrival tax(?) 10 Baht. (Overtime and holidays 20 Baht)

Transport to Vientiane from 20 Baht(bus) to 200 Baht(Taxi)

If you have a visa,easy to do in Bangkok or Khon Kaen,same price,flight to Udon,international Bus to Vientiane(about 180 Baht,not sure),fast and much easier.

Worth considering I.M.O.

[steve19836]

Anyone know if there is an overnight train or bus service up to Nong Kai from BKK? 3200 b minimum return to fly to Udon is a bit high. Looking to make it as cheap a trip as possible.

Cheers.

[lopburi3]

Yes - to both Nong Khai and Udon.

[steve19836]

Yes - to both Nong Khai and Udon.

Lop,

Any idea where the train and bus leaves from in BKK? Also the price and travel time comparison between the two modes of transprt.

[lopburi3]

http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

http://www.transport.co.th/Eng/HomeEnglish.htm

[colino]

the bus leaves from morchit bus terminal you can get over night coaches not sure of price to udon but an idea of cost is khon kaen 280 baht one way so cant be more than 500