Flying From Udon To Bkk At 17:40

[FaxKing]

Hi guys. Simple question really. I have never done a Laos visa run and need to know one thing..... I hope to be collecting my visa on Weds (after applying Tuesday). I am looking at booking a flight from Udon which leaves at 17:40. Will i have time to collect visa and make it to the airport at Udon for say, 16:45?

[mussen]

I've never done it myself but from a few people I've talked to you can make it in plenty of time. I did the trip from my hotel in Vientiane (near the Triumph Arc) to Udon airport in under 2 hours with a broken leg, and on crutches.

[thaiphoon]

I've never done it myself but from a few people I've talked to you can make it in plenty of time. I did the trip from my hotel in Vientiane (near the Triumph Arc) to Udon airport in under 2 hours with a broken leg, and on crutches.

That's pretty impressive. Personally I would have used some transport

[marshbags]

Hi guys. Simple question really. I have never done a Laos visa run and need to know one thing..... I hope to be collecting my visa on Weds (after applying Tuesday). I am looking at booking a flight from Udon which leaves at 17:40. Will i have time to collect visa and make it to the airport at Udon for say, 16:45?

What sort of visa are you looking for Fax King ?

Why go to Bangkok, If it,s one to enter Laos to do the Ventieneyou can get a visa the cross border point of the Nong Khai / Laos check point when you cross the F.Bridge.

There is a bus that takes you into Ventiene that goes from Udonthani.

It stops at the Check Point before Laos border control.

If it is post for more info before going to Bangkok.

marshbags

[Moonrakers]

I've done it before and made it..... just. They where just about to close the gate as I rolled up.

I thought that I had plenty of time and would have done if it was not for that queue's at the border.

[FaxKing]

ROLF! broken leg and crutches in 2 hours ha ha! Did you have a hangover also? Now that would realy be something.... Broken leg and a hangover in 2 hours would be something to shout about lol.

Marshbags - I need to go to BKK as i want to fly, instead of getting a train or bus up there. Its just quicker and less hassle. Im after a tourist visa. I am on a brand new passport so i might just get away with not having a red stamp.... It depends realy on what imigration office do to my passport tommorow I guess. If they transfer details of old TV into new passport, I guess I will be red stamped.

[thaiphoon]

Immigration will not transfer your visa as issued by embassy/consulate abroad (not Thai immigration). They will transfer your permission to stay stamp, as they issued it. They will also make a note of your visa details in your new passport.

Apply at Vientianne for double entry tourist visa. With extensions and border run in the middle you will get nearly 6 months stay. With one previous tourist visa you should be ok.

[marshbags]

ROLF! broken leg and crutches in 2 hours ha ha! Did you have a hangover also? Now that would realy be something.... Broken leg and a hangover in 2 hours would be something to shout about lol.

Marshbags - I need to go to BKK as i want to fly, instead of getting a train or bus up there. Its just quicker and less hassle. Im after a tourist visa. I am on a brand new passport so i might just get away with not having a red stamp.... It depends realy on what imigration office do to my passport tommorow I guess. If they transfer details of old TV into new passport, I guess I will be red stamped.

I misunderstood what you wanted to do, but again there is a very good dedicated aircon bus service that takes the hastle out of the old method of doing it.

I read the OP as if you are already in Udon, hence my post.

I,d PM,d you just in case you weren,t aware of this and was taking your tight schedule into account as well.

Good luck anyway and maybe post a follow up when you return please.

marshbags

[sjaak327]

You should count on:

30 minutes from Vientiane to Bridge

30 minutes at the border (if you are lucky)

50 minutes from border to UTH airport.

So look out for a thai minibus that is filling up at the border (lao side), and pay them 200 baht a person nothing more. Last time the guy wanted 500 baht, to which I simply walked away, getting it down to 200 in less then 10 seconds

Also I presume that you need to be at checkin some time before departure.

Another option would be to take the bus at Talad Sao to Nong Khai, then transfer to bus to Udon, then tuk tuk to Airport, but that will most certainly take more time, then the taxi - minibus option. And of course you are bound to the schedule that the bus company is handling. 12.40 is one departure from Talad Sao, that would lead to you making that plane easily, no idea at what time you can collect your passport .

[Moonrakers]

30 minutes at the border (if you are lucky)

That's what nearly caught me out. From memory I was there (At the border) for at least 2 1/2 hours.

[sjaak327]

30 minutes at the border (if you are lucky)

That's what nearly caught me out. From memory I was there (At the border) for at least 2 1/2 hours.

That's exceptional. Never been at the border that long. If you are looking at that big of a delay, indeed you will be hard pressed to make it.

[Tafia]

Depends what time you get away from the Embassy and your mode of transport, if bus....on my last 2 occasions the 2pm bus was full and had to wait for the 4pm which doesnt get in till 6.30. They wont sell tickets for the 2pm bus until 11.30.

If you use private taxi or mini bus etc, shouldnt be a problem, tho will depend on how busy the border is!!

Police often do stop and search after the NK end but the smaller the transport the quicker it is.