Going to Vientiane for a new visa via Udon airport, just wondering if I will be able to get across the border the same day, flight arrives in Udon 1715, also return flight departs at 1740, is it possible to pick up the visa and get back to the airport in time?

Anybody done this by bus or is taxi best option, and what time does the border close?

Thanks.

I did this about 6 weeks ago, and despite being at the Thai consulate early, the queues at the border meant that I had to take a private taxi to the airport to make it in time for the flight.

Thankfully they seem to leave the gate open until about 10-15 minutes before boarding otherwise I would have missed my flight. Also, DON'T take the bus to the airport as you WILL NOT make it in time. (This all depends on the queue's at the border of course)

Jeez, why do you guys choose the hard way?

Relax, take your time, take Nok Air morning flight, get a Lao visa in advance: allows you to take the direct bus to Vientiane; spend the night in a nice hotel in Vientiane, have a nice meal, have a nice trip, have a nice stay

Edited June 5, 200818 yr by tartempion

"ust wondering if I will be able to get across the border the same day, flight arrives in Udon 1715" yes from on here before it closes quite late, i would have thought 6ish but was informed about 9/10pm

"return flight departs at 1740, is it possible to pick up the visa and get back to the airport in time?" yep but get to consulte as soon as it opens after dinner 1pm i think?

this link worth a read if ya havent already

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=158561

chris

Going to Vientiane for a new visa via Udon airport, just wondering if I will be able to get across the border the same day, flight arrives in Udon 1715, also return flight departs at 1740, is it possible to pick up the visa and get back to the airport in time?

Anybody done this by bus or is taxi best option, and what time does the border close?

Thanks.

It's a piece of cake. I did the trip with the same flight times.

When you arrive at Udon Thani airport, just get the 150 baht limousine (minivan) service to the Thai/Laos border. This takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The border closes at 10pm, so you'll have plenty of time.

When you pick up your visa get transport directly to the border and take one of the taxi minivan services waiting at the Thai Immigration check point for 150 baht (shared) directly to Udon Thani airport. If you were late you could pay 600 baht for a taxi by yourself to save you waiting for other passengers.

You should make your flight with hours to spare. I did even though there were long queues at both border check points.

Edited June 5, 200818 yr by tropo

Going to Vientiane for a new visa via Udon airport, just wondering if I will be able to get across the border the same day, flight arrives in Udon 1715, also return flight departs at 1740, is it possible to pick up the visa and get back to the airport in time?

Anybody done this by bus or is taxi best option, and what time does the border close?

Thanks.

It's a piece of cake. I did the trip with the same flight times.

When you arrive at Udon Thani airport, just get the 150 baht limousine (minivan) service to the Thai/Laos border. This takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The border closes at 10pm, so you'll have plenty of time.

When you pick up your visa get transport directly to the border and take one of the taxi minivan services waiting at the Thai Immigration check point for 150 baht (shared) directly to Udon Thani airport. If you were late you could pay 600 baht for a taxi by yourself to save you waiting for other passengers.

You should make your flight with hours to spare. I did even though there were long queues at both border check points.

Does this still hold? Arrive in Udon 17:15. Leave airport 17:30. Arrive border before 18:30. Has anyone done this recently?

Also what transport is available on the other side to get to Vientiane city at that time of night? I'm only interested in the trip to Vientiane not the return trip.

Thanks for any help you can give.

I would go for the mini bus, don't bother to get the visa in advance, the "direct bus" leaves from the Udon Thani Bus station, so you will loose time and money going there from the airport.

From the border to Vientiane, I would just get a taxi, I don't know how someone would pay 600 baht for that, have done this many times, the most I paid is 250 baht.

Thanks for the reply, shaq.

Actually I live next door to the Laos Embassy so I just popped out to get a visa now. The woman in there was very nice and polite. Thanks for the top tips about the bus. I hope the minivan is running when I arrive at Udon airport so I'll get that for 150 Baht hopefully. For the other side of the border, I will set 250 Baht as my guideline and see if I can lower it without being a 'nasty falang'.