Visa For Laos In Isaan

[nong38]

I was reading elsewhere that to get Laos you need a visa and that most travel agents in Bangkok could deal with this. I was wondering, rather than go down to Bangkok and come back again, is it possible to get a visa in Udon Thani or Nong Khai? Are there travel agents in these cities that can offer this service?

Thanks for any advice

[puchooay]

Last time I went to Laos I got a 30 day visa on arrival at the border crossing.1500baht.

[flexxx]

Last time I went to Laos I got a 30 day visa on arrival at the border crossing.1500baht.

Correct, nothing has changed. I crossed from Mukdahan to Savannakhet last week. 30 day visa on arrival @ 1500 baht, and 40 baht at passport control. Don't forget to bring a photo.

[MeMock]

Visa at the border is correct. The 1,500 baht price is also correct... sort off. It is a real scam this 1,500 baht. The price is actually either $30 or $35 (US dollars) depending on where you come from. As an Australian I pay $30 which is no more then 1,000 baht. I argue with them every time I go and usually pay about 1,200 - 1,300 baht.

A few weeks ago however I handed over 1,200 baht and the guy gave me 500 baht change! For some reason the 40 baht fee was also waived even though the guy in front of me was charged 50 baht.

[nong38]

Thanks for that chums, so just turn up with a passport size photo, passport and haggle about the fee then?

[Lite Beer]

There is a Laos Consulate in Khon Kaen where you can get a Visa.

It might save a bit of time.

[sirineou]

I went to Laos 2 times last year, everyone is correct , very easy to do at the crossing,

I went there with my Thai wife and her mom and sister , Easy drive to Nong Khai near the Laos embassy on the sidewalk in a side street, there was a lady under tarp , she had an old desk with a Typewriter that had not worked in 100 years,we all gave her our passports, and a small fee, I dont remember how much, but not enough to be concerned, she got on her scooter and drove of with our passports, I got very nervous, I mean she left with my passport and she might never come back, got a little paranoid,my in laws were not concerned, but then again they did not have a US Passport, but 15 minutes later she reappeared with our passports and visas and we were on our way to Laos, Since then I have being there several times ,the ladies love to go and shop in Laos ( great prices) and I like the food and a few cold beers by the Mekong River.

[SantiSuk]

It's always sensible to take some US$ with you whenever traveling in Laos, Cambodia (particularly) or Vietnam. Very often the dollar price is cheaper than local currency or Thai baht. It takes a bit ofmental gymnastics asking for and comparing prices in muti-currencies but well worth it if you are up to the challenge. ATMs will even dispense US dollars in Cambodia and I think the same is true of some ATMs and certainly is trus of bank counters in Laos. Sorry - can't remember re Vietnam.

[jocsum]

Sometimes when you get to the Laos border, there are a lot of people who don't know what the heck they are doing or supposed to do. I have found it a lot easier to get the visa in Khon Kaen prior to going. That way all you have to do is get the one entry form at the border, fill it in and off you go to the passport control booth. You don't have to line up behind everyone who thinks it's okay to shove their way in front of you.

This is only my opinion after living in Khon Kaen province for 15 years and doing the visa run many, many times before I finally got my O visa.

[nev]

I Normally go bank get us$30 before i head to the border as i am australian works cheaper that way,i have also gone to khon kaen to get visa before,but this did not save me that much time a the border to justify a seperate trip to khon kaen.

[TBWG]

I Normally go bank get us$30 before i head to the border as i am australian works cheaper that way,i have also gone to khon kaen to get visa before,but this did not save me that much time a the border to justify a seperate trip to khon kaen.

Now if you are a swiss citizen you get in for free! Don't ask me why as I don't know!

TBWG

[nev]

I Normally go bank get us$30 before i head to the border as i am australian works cheaper that way,i have also gone to khon kaen to get visa before,but this did not save me that much time a the border to justify a seperate trip to khon kaen.

Now if you are a swiss citizen you get in for free! Don't ask me why as I don't know!

TBWG

I know australians get $5 cheaper than some other countries as they built the thai lao friendship bridge,would like to know why swiss get in for free.

[leon1503]

I Normally go bank get us$30 before i head to the border as i am australian works cheaper that way,i have also gone to khon kaen to get visa before,but this did not save me that much time a the border to justify a seperate trip to khon kaen.

Now if you are a swiss citizen you get in for free! Don't ask me why as I don't know!

TBWG

I know australians get $5 cheaper than some other countries as they built the thai lao friendship bridge,would like to know why swiss get in for free.

the swiss and thai have an agreement of some kind , but i cant remeber what about sorry.