Bus from Udon to Vientiane. Need visa before arriving at border? Thank you.

Yes, and no:

1. If you want to ride from Nongkhai bus terminal to Vientiene, you need a Lao visa before you board the bus.

2. If you take a tuk-tuk to the border, you can walk across the border, getting your Lao visa as you enter. Get the tuk-tuk to take you to the actual border. Mine stopped at some sort of "visa agent", just before the border. Having done my homework, I realized that it was just a scheme to overcharge me, presumably with a kickback to the driver for having brought me to the door. The Lao visa costs about B 1000, though it varies slightly dependent on your nationality. They also have a relatively small exit tax for the privilege of leaving their second-rate country.

I used the "International bus" from Udon bus station last month. They physically checked my passport to see my Laos entry visa before they sold me a ticket.

I used the "International bus" from Udon bus station last month. They physically checked my passport to see my Laos entry visa before they sold me a ticket.

This mirrors my experience too. I was wondering if it was possible that all passengers may disembark, get the visa, and then then resume the trip to Vientiane together?

Yes u need a visa before boarding the bus and it must be paid for in Thai baht 1500.

Here is the contact number for the International bus company in Udon 042 - 211489 for times, cost, info... I was the only expat on the bus departing from Udon and thinking back, the bus supervisor asked also to see my visa moments before pulling out of the station.

Last time I did this I got the visa at the Laos embassy in Bangkok and paid in dollars which was a lot cheaper. They physically checked I had the visa before getting on the bus in Udon. They want people to have the visa because it saves time at the border. You can also get the bus all the way to Vientiane from Bangkok at Morchit and in Korat. Check out Nok air for cheap flights to Udon too.

I have used it but just told them I would disembark at the border and find my own way to Vientiane. Bpor bpen yang, they said.

Thank you for all your replies.

My next question pertains to the return.

I need to retrieve my passport from the Vientiane embassy and then catch a flight from Udon to BKK.

From experience, how long could this take?

I will likely book a later flight to reduce the anxiety of being late. Thank you.

Quickest way to do it is to get a taxi all the way from the embassy. I can't remember prices exactly but around five hundred seems about right. Allow at least an hour to do it and remember that it may take longer if you have to queue a lot at the border.