Side Trip To Laos

[Governor]

I am staying in Udon for a few days and would like to do a side trip to Laos.

I understand I can get a Visa on arrival, is this a straight forward process?

My, Thai, partner has a passport, I understand she doesn't need a visa, is that correct?

Want to take mother in law and my partners kid brother, they do not have passports but I understand they can enter with their Thai ID, cards. Again is that correct and a straight forward process?

I am renting a car in Udon and I understand I cannot take it out of Thailand, are there safe parking facilities on the Thai side?

How far is Vientane, and is transport readily available?

Last and by no means least, where is a good central place to stay, and do I need to book in advance?

Thanks for any help.

[RY12]

I am staying in Udon for a few days and would like to do a side trip to Laos.

I understand I can get a Visa on arrival, is this a straight forward process?

My, Thai, partner has a passport, I understand she doesn't need a visa, is that correct?

Want to take mother in law and my partners kid brother, they do not have passports but I understand they can enter with their Thai ID, cards. Again is that correct and a straight forward process?

I am renting a car in Udon and I understand I cannot take it out of Thailand, are there safe parking facilities on the Thai side?

How far is Vientane, and is transport readily available?

Last and by no means least, where is a good central place to stay, and do I need to book in advance?

Thanks for any help.

I just checked the LP and it says you can take a thai car into Laos but you have to temporarily import it, which costs like 9000 baht and appears to take a lot of paper work. Don't take my word on it. The lady doesn't need a visa, for sure. Make sure you get to the border on time, I had to get my photo taken at the last second in Chong Mek (they transposed a business suit on my photo to make me a handsome devil) before i could cross at 5pm i believe it was. Just get the LP for all ur other questions.

[mahtin]

On the other side of the Friendship Bridge at Nongkhai you can get a "Tuktuksongthaew" - couple of years ago went to Vientiane and back for 500 Baht and the guy waited while we ate, drank and shopped.

Local colour - they drive on the right, and we stopped on the way to pick up a bunch of giggling schoolgirls to supplement the driver's income.

Not the quickest, but possibly the nicest way to do it.

[stattointhailand]

If you get some US dollars in Udon b4 you go (for your Visa), it will save you a few Baht as the exchange rate at the border is not too good.

[misterme]

BEST IDEA IS TO TAKE THE BUS FROM UDON. I think it's 80THB per person UDON TO VIENTIENNE bus station.

Yes, the visa for you should be straightforward. Don't forget the photo.

Thais may only need copies of ID card, but check with immigration who can tell you for sure.

Vientianne is 17 KM from the border.

Cheaper rooms fill up quickly. I was there last month and even the more expensive hotels were sold out every night. YMMV

Edited April 21, 2008 by misterme

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I am staying in Udon for a few days and would like to do a side trip to Laos.

I understand I can get a Visa on arrival, is this a straight forward process?

My, Thai, partner has a passport, I understand she doesn't need a visa, is that correct?

Want to take mother in law and my partners kid brother, they do not have passports but I understand they can enter with their Thai ID, cards. Again is that correct and a straight forward process?

I am renting a car in Udon and I understand I cannot take it out of Thailand, are there safe parking facilities on the Thai side?

How far is Vientane, and is transport readily available?

Last and by no means least, where is a good central place to stay, and do I need to book in advance?

Thanks for any help.

Yes, you on Visa On Arrival, $30+.  Thai with passport, free Visa On Arrival.  Thai with ID cards can get a Border Pass at the office right near the van station and parking lot prior to getting to Thai Immigration at the bridge.  Look to the right a couple 100 meters before Immigration, turn right.  Everyone needs photos.  For kid brother, better get a permission slip signed by parents.  Also take along the tambien baan.  We had some problems with an adopted nephew some years back.  Two photos for everyone, these go on the Border Pass.  One photo for you, don't remember if the wife'll need one or not but bring one anyway.

Below a bit of a cookbook on the crossing.

Mac

Vientiane via Nong Khai

-- If arriving Nong Khai via bus or train, take a tuk tuk to the Friendship Bridge, aka “bai sapan.”

- There's a large area prior to the Thai Immigration point where you can get a van across the bridge, along with a bunch of other passengers, baht 10 or baht 20 per person. Just queue at the window and pay. If you don't want to wait for the passenger van, or have lots of bags or kids with you, an option is to charter a van for the trip across the bridge. I often do this, about baht 250-300 and it's all yours, no waiting, easy loading of bags. To get one, at the queue window, just say “mao lot van,” which is rent a van.

-- If driving up, can leave your car in the pretty secure locked up storage area, baht 100/day.

-- If a Thai doesn't have a passport they can get a 2-3 day “border pass” there at the small office just behind the van queue area, baht 150 or so and a 20 minute or so wait. If the Thai has a passport, Lao visa is FREE and good for 30 days.

-- For others, get on your van, it'll drive to the Thai exit point, get out and go through the exit point. Get back in your van for the trip across the river, five minutes.

-- On the Lao side get out and you'll see two windows at Lao Immigration, go there and pickup a Visa On Arrival form, fill it out and turn in with your passport and a photo, cost $30-$35, or a bit more if paying in baht. Wait. Hopefully you'll have arrived prior to a bus full of tourists. You should also receive a Lao Arrival Card, can fill this out while waiting for your VOA.

-- Pick up your passport with the Visa On Arrival stamped or glued into it. Note the visa # and date, write this in on your Lao Arrival card.

-- Proceed straight ahead 30 feet or so to the Lao “arrival” booths, get a chop in your passport.

-- Go straight ahead again to another booth, perhaps pay baht 10-20 or not, varies, haven't yet figured out what this is really for.

-- Proceed on ahead to a uniformed cop sitting at the exit gate, show him your passport with visa, arrival chop, and receipt from the baht 10-20 booth. End of story.

-- Almost the end, now to get downtown, it's a 20 km drive depending on which way the drive goes. Lots of tuk tuks and taxis around, some vans, too.

-- A taxi will run about baht 250-300, a van baht 400. Opt for a van if lots of people or bags. To get a van just say “lot tou.”

-- End of story, really.

[abdulrahman]

I am staying in Udon for a few days and would like to do a side trip to Laos.

I understand I can get a Visa on arrival, is this a straight forward process?

Yes,35$ and a photo.

My, Thai, partner has a passport, I understand she doesn't need a visa, is that correct?

She will be given a VOA,valid for a month.

Want to take mother in law and my partners kid brother, they do not have passports but I understand they can enter with their Thai ID, cards. Again is that correct and a straight forward process?

Yes,many offices before the border,right or left side,can do the paperwork for a small fee;remember the Pass is valid for 2 nights only.

I am renting a car in Udon and I understand I cannot take it out of Thailand, are there safe parking facilities on the Thai side?

The same Agencies before the border have parking facilities.

How far is Vientane, and is transport readily available?

17 Km,bus,tuk-tuk or mini van:prices accordingly.

Last and by no means least, where is a good central place to stay, and do I need to book in advance?

Many Hotels,Guesthouses on or near the riverside,after Songkran should be no problem to find a place,or you can book on the Internet.

Thanks for any help.

[citizen33]

I am staying in Udon for a few days and would like to do a side trip to Laos.

I understand I can get a Visa on arrival, is this a straight forward process?

Yes,35$ and a photo.

My, Thai, partner has a passport, I understand she doesn't need a visa, is that correct?

She will be given a VOA,valid for a month.

Want to take mother in law and my partners kid brother, they do not have passports but I understand they can enter with their Thai ID, cards. Again is that correct and a straight forward process?

Yes,many offices before the border,right or left side,can do the paperwork for a small fee;remember the Pass is valid for 2 nights only.

I am renting a car in Udon and I understand I cannot take it out of Thailand, are there safe parking facilities on the Thai side?

The same Agencies before the border have parking facilities.

How far is Vientane, and is transport readily available?

17 Km,bus,tuk-tuk or mini van:prices accordingly.

Last and by no means least, where is a good central place to stay, and do I need to book in advance?

Many Hotels,Guesthouses on or near the riverside,after Songkran should be no problem to find a place,or you can book on the Internet.

Thanks for any help.

If the child does not yet have a citizen identity card you will also need to produce his birth certificate.