Visa Run. C.R. To Vientien Laos

[marcgee]

Visa run to Vientien Laos. from C.R.

Can I have info ;

Best VIP bus to Udon Thani. ALSO Timetable.

Options for connection to border from U.T.

Best way to city from border

What is the procedure in getting 3 enty visa ? ie. apply any day M. to F. then pick up next work day?

I need to exit by Jan 28th --Any holidays to be aware of?

Much thanks

Marcgee

[sceadugenga]

I've done it a couple of times, the bus leaves CR about 5pm and arrives in Udon Thani about 6am.

Now, I did it from the old station, you'll need to leave from the new bus station I think.

You then grab the bus to Nong Khai, they leave hourly.

Alternatively, if you already have a Lao visa you can get a direct bus from Udon to Vientiane but have to go to the other bus station by tuktuk.

You need to get to Vientiane and the Thai embassy before visa applications close (11am?) so don't hang about in Thailand.

The visa is then issued the following day.

You may get a multiple entry visa, depends on the whim of the guy doing the application, or that was I was told anyway.

I did a report at the time, I'll look for the link for you.

Edited January 8, 2011 by sceadugenga

[sceadugenga]

Here's the link to my last trip, about 2 1/2 years ago, never realised it was that long ago...

[sunholidaysun1]

My last trip : First Class Bus -SOMBAT TOUR (no VIP) from Chiang Rai to Udon Thani bus station,get off there at the office. Walk over to the bus terminal , 50 metre opposite the office. Get the Bus to Nong Khai, 30 bht I think. On arrival at the bus station at Nong Khai get a tuk-tuk (100 bht ) to the border.

Exit Thailand , get the bus over the bridge to the Laos immigration office (10bht ). Fill in the Laos application form that you get at the Immigration office, submit the application with 1 or 2 photos plus the 1500 bht Visa for Laos Fee. then enter Laos. There are buses that go to town or you can either get a taxi or share one with another tourist going to the Thai Consulate , (2-300Bht ) they accept Thai bht .

On arrival at the Consulate submit your application and pick up the next day , If you go on a Friday the visa can be collected the next working day (Monday) .

I got the 5pm bus from Chiang Rai , arrived in Nong Khai at about 7am , went straight to the Consulate after doing the immigration bit at the Laos border and handed everything in at the consulate before 10:30am .You are then free until 12 noon the next day when I queued up for the collection of my visa. On return to Thailand you can possibly share a taxi with others going to the Bus station , 200bht each if 4 of you . The buses returning to Chiang Rai are 2nd and 3rd class buses in the early afternoon but the class 1 bus leaves about 7pm I think . All the buses leaving in the afternoon and early evening all arrive in Chiang Rai nearly at the same time give or take an hour.

Hope this helps , sorry I cannot access the Thai consulate website for some reason , maybe down or something.

Good Luck on your trip , I enjoyed it ,especially in Vientianne.

On arrival at the Sombat Tour office in Udon Thani , many Tuk-Tuk drivers will try and get you to go with them to the other bus station, its not needed to do that so avoid them . I would also suggest Not to go to a local agent and get your Visa for Laos before you get to Laos , for the reasons of over charging for the visa and service and No guarentee that what they give you is legal.

[sunholidaysun1]

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/embassy/embassy_time/

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

The websites give you the holiday days and opening hours for submitting and collecting visa applications.

More information on the main website http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/index_newyear_2010.php

[sceadugenga]

Don't forget photocopies of your passport along with the passport photos, nothing worse than getting to the head of the queue and having to go and search for a shop with a photocopier.

You can download the application forms as well, I think they're available here on ThaiVisa.

Yes, Vientiane is a magical city.

Edited January 9, 2011 by sceadugenga

[marcgee]

Thank you all.

Your detailed replies are so helpful.

Very nice of you also that you would take the time

to give such a complete picture.

Marcgee