Hi, I'm doing a visa run to Laos next Monday for a non immi visa. I'm a nervous traveller and doing it on my own on a budget so I can't afford to pay for a private tour. I would be grateful if anyone could give me a step by step layout of the trip.

Where in Bangkok do I get the bus (name and number if possible to pre-book/talk to them) and the rest of the trip, times etc....

Can I pre-book my return ticket here in Bangkok before I go? Will the holidays next week effect my travels?

All information will be gratefully received

Go to any travel agency they mostly provide the same service or take train to Nong Khai www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp

Be there early at the border to laos 07.30 share a taxi 100 baht to the embassy find a hotel after that, pick up passport after 13.00 next day goback to BKK

Jack

Just got back from Laos after gettinjg a non O. Did all the sums before and even with my own car found it much cheaper on an organised run. Book, pay, give them your passport and photos and they organise everything. All the paper work (sign where they say after it is filled in) no waiting at the border either way, no queuing at the Thai Emabassy, all transport arranged, hotel, all meals. Just follow the tour leader and you walk through without any waiting at all. Easy if you have never done it before (like me) and especialy as you say you are a nervous traveller.

Thanks, do I need a Loas visa before I go or can I get it at the border??

Visa On Arrival on the Lao side of the bridge from Nong Khai is available, $35 for Americans, or about baht 1,500.

If you've got the time, it's handier to have a Lao visa already in your passport, faster clearing on the Lao side if a tour bus with a whole bunch of passengers arrives just before you do. Baht 1,400 I think it is at the Lao Embassy in Bangkok. Plus baht 200 for them to do it while you wait, perhaps 45 minutes.

Mac

apparently except that you live here in BKK, this question has nothing whatsoever to do with this branch of the forum. As you might also have expected with some logical thinking-this very same Q has been asked+answered till the very last footstep about every month-on the right branch. So search, do some reading and get lightened up. Make up your mind-or count the baht in your wallet-if that would be for train, plane or bus. Also asking about visa is generally useless without stating your very own nationality-as would also have been over-obvious.

Also-no tmuch brains needed to realise that ANY official Thai institution-incl its royal embassies-will be closed on mon 7/12, as replacement for sat 5/12. And that thus a double workload of eager applicants will be lining up on tue 8/12.