Hi:

I've done the visa run before, but not from CR. I have a couple simple questions.

How long does the bus take from CR to Nongkai?

Is there a way to get the bus ticket other than going to bus station #2 to buy it (or is it #1? Either way It's the one furtherst from me.) ?

Thanks.

You could consider going over the border in Chiang Khong/Huai Xai by bus and on to Luang Prabang. I believe it's about a 12 hour ride.

From there to VTN is another 400 kliks and my guess is there's a bus fling that trip too.

Alternative to that and doing the journey Thai side you would have to go to Pitsanulok 6hoursish and then into Khon Kaen and Nong Khai. I reckon with bus changes you could be looking at close to 18-20 hrs.

I think there's a bus gonig directly to Nongkai. There was one from Chaing Mai and it took about 12 hours.

You get the Udon Thani bus from Chiang Rai, it leaves about 5pm, that goes through Phitsanulok (don't change) it gets into Udon about 6am and then you get the bus to the border.

Get the bus from the bustation you arrive in, don't let any tuk tuk drivers talk you into going to the other Udon Thani bus station, that bus is only for people with Lao visas already.

It's about 13 hours.