Touris Visa Run From Chiangmai To Vientiane

[Grego]

Hi all,

I´m portuguese and came with a 2 month single entry visa, wich I extended for 30 days...

I´m going to the thai embassy in Vientiane in 15 days and I would like to know:

1. What kind of visa should I expect to get

2. How many times can I apply for that visa

3. Is it a fairly easy process or should I expect complications

4. What is the best way to get there from Chiangmai, are vans the best option, or are there cheaper efficient alternatives?

Thank you in advance for your help

[Mario2008]

What kind of vsa you can get depends on your circumstances, lie if you are over 50 years old, are married to a Thai national, study in thaland or not, etc.

Otherwise you would only qualify for another tourist visa, possibly a double entry tourist visa.

How many tourist visas you can get depends, don't expect to get more than 3 before they will refuse them.

Applying is very easy. See here for some more information: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/189375-latest-reports-of-getting-a-visa-in-the-region/

[chris5346]

you should get a double entry tourist visa no problem if you fill in the application form correctly,

you can re-apply in the future for another tourist visa - the embassy will put a warning stamp in your passport first if your applying for too many from the same embassy.

very easy process you make the application in the mornings only and collect passport the next day in the afternoon,

price is 2000 baht and you need to provide photos.

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

from chiang mai you can either go by road which takes 12-13 hours during the night on a bus or private agent mini bus.

or you can fly to udon thani with nok air or nok air mini (small airplane) and there's a shuttle bus to the border.

you'll also need a visa for laos (1500 baht or $35 ) which can be done on arrival at the border if you don't have a laos embassy near you.

any questions please ask,

[harrry]

If you are slightly adventurist and want to see a little of Laos you could try the bus from chiangmai to Luang Prabang which is really two busses that are co ordinated to connect when you chross the border. You could then get a bus to Vientiene. Recommended for the young traveller who can forgo a few comforts and enjoy a very windy road.

[Grego]

I´m 36, just travelling around...

Yeah Harry ,travelling a bit around Laos is an option so I think I will avoid the minivans...

Ok guys, thanks alot for the help I was told back home that the process would be a litle harder so was a bit concerned...

Pedro

[chris5346]

well if you take the scenic bus route its heading north from chiang mai and entering laos from the north,

or there's a night bus going to udon thani.

you could also head north from chiang mai and head down to luang prabang on the river - bus/boat combo to vientiene.

depends if you want to make a holiday out of it,

it maybe a good trip to go north and tour thru laos ending up in vientiene where you get teh tourist visa then head to udon thani and fly back to chiang mai or get the night bus back.

north laos is beautiful and well worth a visit to luang prabangs waterfalls temples etc and veng vieng,

not much to do in vientiene and udon thani is similar to chiang mai.

i wouldn't recomend going to vientiene first then heading north to luang prabang etc because if you choose to go on the river it will be against teh current and takes 2 long days on a slow boat - unless you choose the speed boat option.

[Grego]

Very good tips Chris... Yeah I think I will use the visa in Laos and travel there for a while...

Thank you

[harwelld]

Good info. One thing I need help with--prices for the overnight bus to Vientiane. Want to take the big buses with reclining seats, as the minivans can be quite crowded and uncomfortable for the long trip. I will be making the chiang mai to vientiane run for a non-imm B. Also, can you tell me again what the cost of the visa is to enter Laos? This will be my first time to try without an agent. I got fleeced last time, on both sides of the border, by "agents". Want to try to do it solo. My school has prepared all the docs for the non-imm B, so what I'm needing to know is the basic prices.

Also, any recommendations on cheap, pay by cash accommodations with air con? Simple is fine, but aircon is a must.

[harwelld]

Sorry, early in the morning. Just re-read the thread and saw that entering Laos is 1500 Bhat. Question now is transport and lodging. Thanks, all.

[Cyrus2Ray]

It would be really useful if one could find a comprehensive info package regarding "doing a visa run from Chiang Mai to Vientiane" here !!!

( if there is already such a thread, then please guide us to it )

I myself might be in need of such info in near future, and since the thread's already been started here,

well, ....may be this is the right place and time to ask for members' much appreciated contributions,.....

let's say for a totally "green" newbie doing his/her first ever visa run !!!,

so there is no such thing as an unnecessary detail, as every little detail can be quite important to an inexperienced traveler on a first ever visa run.

1- Different travel options

2- Costs involved with each option

3- Time requirements and schedules

4- Tour vs. personal trips

5- Accommodations, options, prices,

6- Required paperwork, forms, photos, etc

6- etc, etc, etc., .... I guess you get the idea !

[Mario2008]

A lot of information here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/189375-latest-reports-of-getting-a-visa-in-the-region/

Further you can use the search option.

[chris5346]

Sorry, early in the morning. Just re-read the thread and saw that entering Laos is 1500 Bhat. Question now is transport and lodging. Thanks, all.

lodgings cost a little more than in chiang mai but very similar, there's many close to the river in the city and for 500 - 700 baht can get a decent one, the embassy is 15 mins in a tuk tuk or can walk, there are a few hotels right next to the embassy but ther'es nothing to do in that area so i would recommend going towards the river - grab a map and ask taxi driver etc.

buses from chiang mai to udon thani cost approx 700 baht one way, i think there's 3 companies now and worth buying the tickets in advance from the arcade bus station, sombat and crakaporn or something rings a bell. there are different buses you want the ones with fewer people on.

the visa on arival for laos is probably cheaper if you can pay in dollars.