Nong kai into Lao

[aussiesteve63]

What's the visa cost for Aussies and do you have to pay in US dollars?

[stoneyboy]

It's US 30 dollars for Australians.

No you don't have to pay in dollars you can pay in Thai baht but it's often cheaper with dollars.

[CTO]

If you don't have US$;s you can get them at the border, there are two exchange booths there, one right in front of where you hand in you passport, the other around the corner as you enter Laos

Note once you get your passport back, it's now stamped, and you don't need to join the long queues, just walk into Laos.

Have fun, you'll be annoyed by touts offering taxis and buses into town, work out which way you want to go.

[CTO]

Don't panick if you don't have a photo, they charge $1 extra for not attaching a photo.

[rct99q]

$30 usd or 1,500 baht! Up to you but many people prefer getting us$$. It costs an overtime fee of 1usd if traveling before 8am, after4pm any day of the week, or on a saturday, sunday and any Thai or Laos National Holiday. As mentioned if no passport photos (laos rules state you can be asked for 2, but never are) you pay an extra 1usd and they scan your passport. Always good to have the name of a hotel, address and phone number handy (even if not staying there) for the Laos immigration form. And never put unemployed as an occupation, it is almost as bad as putting teacher.

Ps - the shuttles busesbthat run across the bridge are either 15 or 20 baht depending kn the time of day (see above). If traveling this weekend sept 5-8 we have the ONIE games happening in NK and the bridge is very busy.

Enjoy.....

[KaronSteve]

Do we have to pay to get the plastic token for the new turnstiles?