I will have to do a visa run from Northern Thailand, which means buses only go to Udon Thani.

I am looking for the cheapest and fastest way to get from Udon Thani bus station to the Thai embassy in Vientiane ( I have to obtain a visa on arrival at the boarder.)

If there is a bus to the border crossing, when is the first leaving from Udon Thani?

How long will it approximately take my form Udon Thani bus station to border and from there to the Embassy?

Is it better to change Thai baht or can I pay with Baht in Vientiane.

Any recommendations for a clean and cheap guesthouse?

They have buses that go to nongkhai,then cross the bridge.I believe they also have buses at udon that go

straight to vientiene

Bus from Udon is the cheapest, 45 kilometres, about an hour. Get off at Tesco, tuk tuk to bridge, 10 minutes. From exiting Thailand to entering Laos and getting to Vientiane, about one hour, depending on the number of people. Pay for Lao visa in Dollars, cheaper than in Bhat. Pay for Thai visa at embassy in Bhat. Buses that go direct and cross the border require visa in advance.

Santisook Guest House 320 Bhat, beside the museum, opposite the cultural centre, 2 blocks from the Mekong River. The day manager speaks English and can help you with anything.

@Colabamumbai

thanks for the info. Just a couple of more questions to clarify. Once I arrive on the Lao side of the boarder, what is the best way to get to the Thai embassy?

Do you know how much I approcimately have to pay ( heard transport is a little more expensive than in Thailand)

How much is the tuk tuk trip from Tesco Nong kai to the bridge?

thanks for the guesthouse recommendation, will definately try to get a room there.

Thanks for your help

@Colabamumbai

thanks for the info. Just a couple of more questions to clarify. Once I arrive on the Lao side of the boarder, what is the best way to get to the Thai embassy?

Do you know how much I approcimately have to pay ( heard transport is a little more expensive than in Thailand)

How much is the tuk tuk trip from Tesco Nong kai to the bridge?

thanks for the guesthouse recommendation, will definately try to get a room there.

Thanks for your help

Holy shit! depends on how many in the tuk tuk 30 or 40 Bhat. From the border direct to the em bassy, a taxi wants 300 Bhat one person, they will take 200. Tuks want the same for one person.

If you want to be real cheap take the little bus for 10 Bhat to the bus station then take a tuk to the embassy.

what time is your bus supposed to get arriving at udon thani ?

and at which bus terminal ?

where are you coming from ?

do you realise you have to get to the thai embassy at 11 am ish at the latest ?

if you can get teh vientienne express bus but you will need a loas visa in your passport and be at teh inner udon thani bus station.

He's getting a visa on arrival so he can't catch the International bus. Your best bet is to get to Nong khai bus station very early from Udon, from there a bus will take you to the Laos immigration point (and wait for you at Thai immigration). DO NOT make your own way to the Thai immigration from the bus station. You MIGHT have to wait at the Thai side for the shuttle bus, they DO NOT run until they have enough punters.

As someone else said you need to be at the embassy before 11 so you dont need any delays.

Talk with other visa runners about sharing a taxi to Thai embassy, tuk tuks are too slow, cost the same and will mess you about too much.

i did this trip from chiang mai and i only just made the application in time before they closed the gates,

i would recommend you print off and fill in the application form ready and take photographs with you,

you may also need a small photo for the laos visa on arrival and if you pay in dollas its cheaper than in baht for that.

you can use baht in laos all the way for what your doing , if you do get hold of some kip make sure you spend it all in laos because you wont be able to convert it to baht in thailand - actually there's a conversion kiosk right on the border on the laos side if you have some.

many hotels, most people head towards fountain square and down to the river and turn right basically - it's 15 mins in a tuk tuk from the thai consulate/embassy.

there are hotels near the embassy but they are expensive and nothing to do around there at night.

the second time i went a small group of us from the night bus all chipped in and hired a private guy to take us directly to the border - this saved loads of time etc and didn't cost much extra.

also on the application forms they ask where your staying in laos - if your doing the thai visa before you find a hotel then find any hotels name off the internet before you go.

there's agents outside the embassy , but if your organised no need to use them and just go inside yourself,

good luck,