Take A Bicycle Into Laos?

[Portlandstone]

Anyone pretty sure that I will be able to walk out of Thailand border and into Laos immigration with a bicycle (not carry, but push)? No funny stuff like import tax or anything? (i.e. free)

Also, I enquired at the Hua Lamphong train station about taking a bicycle on their train for a fee, they said they could but it looks kinda wierd as I would have to check in my bicycle near Lane 10 but the train is at Lane 1. Hope they wouldn't put my bike on a diff train or something. Also I got several different answers for price, but none of them seemed exuberant.

[mussen]

I used to load my motorcycle on the train at Hua Lamphong, just check it in, then have a coffee close by and follow the staff when they load it to make sure it goes on the correct train.

[nidge]

I did exactly what you plan to do 2 months ago. I got on the train at Don Muang though. I was there 45 mins before as they have to "prepare themselves" to but the bikes, (there were 2 of us), on the train. They arrived at Nong Khai undamaged and we passed through immigration with no problems, in fact we were quicker than the pedestrians as we were told to bypass 2 of the places where the pedestrians had to queue.

Coming back from Vientiene we queued at the pedestrian checkpoint for Thai immigration and were sent to queue with the cars. Another time saver.

Just remember when cycling in Laos that the cars are on the wrong side of the road.

[mahtin]

Just remember when cycling in Laos that the cars are on the wrong side of the road.

Right side

[goo]

Bicycle cost 80B on trains, for any length of journey. Yes, the 'check-in' is close to Plt 10 at Hualompong. You will have no problems with you bike crossing the border, I have done it in excess of 20 times over 15 years. Many people pass through the border on bikes every week. They are normal.

[tigerboy]

I will add that each and every time I have taken my mountain bike on the train to either Chiang Mai or Nong Khai, I was the one to wheel it to the baggage car of the train and hand it up to the guys working in the baggage car. At the same time I handed the paperwork to one of the railway police types, that is the guy in the uniform. I felt better doing it this way since I saw it actually on the train that I'd be riding. That's because I paid US$2700 for the bike when I bought it new about 9 years ago.

One time on the train up to Chiang Mai, I accidentally booked onto the "express" train (If you could call it that). This train was made up of an engine and 3 air con, non sleeper cars with all seats, no baggage car. Yikes! How am I going to get my mountain bike there with me? No problem said the Thai railway guy, take the bike apart and carry it on. Fortunately, I was traveling with some friends who were going to rent bikes there in CM. Two friends each got a wheel and I carried the frame. We stowed the wheels in the overhead racks and the frame behind some seats. Worked great!

[Portlandstone]

Just a quick thanks for the information guys, and will let you know should I have any difficulties.