bus from mukdahan to savannakhet thai consulate

[BuckBee]

I turn up in mornings for 10.15am and out in 15 minutes, only people around after 10am tend be those going through twice as had wrong/no docs . obviously some days of week/pre-post holidays more busy and any time rules changed will be havoc .

Morning can get in a mess if got group of idiots and more so these days due to extra tourist visa docs as most genuine travellers not up to speed on it and info on notice boards is as usual poor so without due diligence before trip the clueless are in the hands of locals lol .

Sometimes you got to go slow to go fast and afternoon collection is best example for that, even turning up 15 minutes past 2pm is massively smoother small or no queue collection and immigration transition too. I see so many people at 8am in a panic post immigration and paying stupid fees for a taxi or tuk-tuk when they got 2hrs spare and bus will get them there by 8:30am.

Savanakhet is actually easiest transport transition and time visa runs you can do, with calm approach and paperwork pre printed it no hassle and even a first timer can do it on their own without much of a muddle if slow down and stay composed . Just adding my comments to hopefully guide and ease the experience for others researching savannakhet .

Edited August 30, 2017 by BuckBee

[jeab1980]

1 hour ago, BuckBee said:

I turn up in mornings for 10.15am and out in 15 minutes, only people around after 10am tend be those going through twice as had wrong/no docs . obviously some days of week/pre-post holidays more busy and any time rules changed will be havoc .

Morning can get in a mess if got group of idiots and more so these days due to extra tourist visa docs as most genuine travellers not up to speed on it and info on notice boards is as usual poor so without due diligence before trip the clueless are in the hands of locals lol .

Sometimes you got to go slow to go fast and afternoon collection is best example for that, even turning up 15 minutes past 2pm is massively smoother small or no queue collection and immigration transition too. I see so many people at 8am in a panic post immigration and paying stupid fees for a taxi or tuk-tuk when they got 2hrs spare and bus will get them there by 8:30am.

Savanakhet is actually easiest transport transition and time visa runs you can do, with calm approach and paperwork pre printed it no hassle and even a first timer can do it on their own without much of a muddle if slow down and stay composed . Just adding my comments to hopefully guide and ease the experience for others researching savannakhet .

I totally agree but sounds like as myself you have been through this process many times. It is easy but first timers and i remember what i was like first time its pretty daunting regardless of how much research and prior reading you do. For instance my first time i went over bridge on first bus got to consulate at just after 0800 to find a massive queue. I got through to hand documents in at 1030. We hung around a bit over the road at coffee shop 1100 on the dot the gates closed and a good 50 people were locked out. So that caused my next trip 17months later to be worrying. As it happened it was empty at consulate this time. I decided in the future after 1st time, we would take the  vehicle over with us and do a two night stop in Savannakhet. A lot less hassle in the morning to hand in paperwork. I still to this day get there for 0915 at the latest. If its not busy good straight in and out. If there is a big queue then your there early enough to get paper work in. As we take the vehicle over next day apart from last one as described we never go before 3pm to pick up. 

[kurtmartens]

10 hours ago, jeab1980 said:

I totally agree but sounds like as myself you have been through this process many times. It is easy but first timers and i remember what i was like first time its pretty daunting regardless of how much research and prior reading you do. 

I agree with you.  I think we all tend to forget that folks doing this for the first time are nervous and want things to go smoothly.  Nothing wrong with planning, especially your first time.

[pj123]

I am planning to drive to Mukdahan on Sunday 12 November and cross over the border on the Monday to visit the consulate. Stay the night in Savannakhet and collect passport on the Tuesday. Two questions.

1. I have read on this forum that there is a carpark near the bridge but if you have to use the bus to cross the bridge why would you park here?

2. Are there quieter days to go to the consulate. Would Mondays tend to be more busy?

 

 

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, pj123 said:

I am planning to drive to Mukdahan on Sunday 12 November and cross over the border on the Monday to visit the consulate. Stay the night in Savannakhet and collect passport on the Tuesday. Two questions.

1. I have read on this forum that there is a carpark near the bridge but if you have to use the bus to cross the bridge why would you park here?

2. Are there quieter days to go to the consulate. Would Mondays tend to be more busy?

 

1. You can take the bus at the bridge. You do not have to take the bus from the bus station in Mukdahan. The bridge is few kilometers outside the city of Mukdahan. 

2. I don't think there will be big a difference in the number of people being there on Monday versus other days.

[pj123]

9 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

1. You can take the bus at the bridge. You do not have to take the bus from the bus station in Mukdahan. The bridge is few kilometers outside the city of Mukdahan. 

2. I don't think there will be big a difference in the number of people being there on Monday versus other days.

Thank you

[juice777]

I am planning to drive to Mukdahan on Sunday 12 November and cross over the border on the Monday to visit the consulate. Stay the night in Savannakhet and collect passport on the Tuesday. Two questions.
1. I have read on this forum that there is a carpark near the bridge but if you have to use the bus to cross the bridge why would you park here?
2. Are there quieter days to go to the consulate. Would Mondays tend to be more busy?
 
 

I went yesterdayI which was a Monday I am on the bus coming back Now. I was late getting there about 10.45 my ticket number was no. 37. So I don't think it is ever that busy.

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[macgver]

I drove my car from Bangkok to Mukdahan (7 hours). Then I parked my car next to the border, it costs me 250 Baht/per night parking. I carried along my folding bike, but the immigration officers don't allow me to cycle across the Friendship Bridge. Then I asked the local transportation to transport my bike and me across the bridge, they told me 1,000 - 1,500 Baht. Let's forget it and I did hitchhike. Finally, I able to cross the bridge and then cycle around.

Edited October 18, 2017 by macgver

[Nong Khai Man]

10 hours ago, macgver said:

I drove my car from Bangkok to Mukdahan (7 hours). Then I parked my car next to the border, it costs me 250 Baht/per night parking. I carried along my folding bike, but the immigration officers don't allow me to cycle across the Friendship Bridge. Then I asked the local transportation to transport my bike and me across the bridge, they told me 1,000 - 1,500 Baht. Let's forget it and I did hitchhike. Finally, I able to cross the bridge and then cycle around.

You Hitchhiked ?? It's a Wonder Immigration let you do that.......

[macgver]

12 hours ago, Nong Khai Man said:

You Hitchhiked ?? It's a Wonder Immigration let you do that.......

Just did it

[juice777]

I drove my car from Bangkok to Mukdahan (7 hours). Then I parked my car next to the border, it costs me 250 Baht/per night parking. I carried along my folding bike, but the immigration officers don't allow me to cycle across the Friendship Bridge. Then I asked the local transportation to transport my bike and me across the bridge, they told me 1,000 - 1,500 Baht. Let's forget it and I did hitchhike. Finally, I able to cross the bridge and then cycle around.

Why didn't you just get the bus 40THB

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[BritTim]

50 minutes ago, juice777 said:

Why didn't you just get the bus 40THB

50 THB actually. However, the main problem was wanting to take his folding bike along with him. That might not be possible on the bus.

[RubbaJohnny]

Link to cross bridge byses schedule broken.

 

What time is the last one to laos looks like 6pm reading above or is that the latest for a lao visa on arrival ?

In which case should one get to Thai side around 5pm to be sure to cross?

 

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, RubbaJohnny said:

Link to cross bridge byses schedule broken.

 

What time is the last one to laos looks like 6pm reading above or is that the latest for a lao visa on arrival ?

In which case should one get to Thai side around 5pm to be sure to cross?

 

Working link for bus schedule. http://home.transport.co.th/index.php/th/time-table-english/item/443-ตารางเดินรถโดยสารระหว่างประเทศ-international-route.html

It is showing a shuttle bus now from 10:30 to 15:30 now for 20 baht. There is a bus at 16:30 and 17:30 and after those 19:00.

If you get to immigration at the bridge before 6 pm you should be able to cross and get the Lao visa on arrival.

[RubbaJohnny]

thanks                  Jo

[juice777]

Link to cross bridge byses schedule broken.
 
What time is the last one to laos looks like 6pm reading above or is that the latest for a lao visa on arrival ?
In which case should one get to Thai side around 5pm to be sure to cross?
 

One time I was late, so I got a taxi from the bus station to the border because I had a hour to wait for the bus. This paid of as the bus came back from the loas side and turned around. I just paid when I got on. And made it to the embassy on time. The next time I tried this it didn't work there was no other bus and had to wait in no man's land for about 45 mins. I didn't loose any time but I did waste 100THB on the taxi. I've tried getting onto the casino shuttle bus once or twice but they never let me. I did tell them I will be going to the casino later tonight which I was but they still wouldn't let me. You could try that and go to the casino and have a few hands of black Jack.

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[Nayet]

I notice buses from Bangkok to Mukdahan are all night buses. Is there any way to get to the Thai consulate in Savannakhet in time to apply for a visa same day as I arrive in Mukdahan? I'm trying to work out a viable itinerary.

[Mac Mickmanus]

Just now, Nayet said:

I notice buses from Bangkok to Mukdahan are all night buses. Is there any way to get to the Thai consulate in Savannakhet in time to apply for a visa same day as I arrive in Mukdahan? I'm trying to work out a viable itinerary.

Night buses arrive in the morning 

[Nayet]

Thanks, I understand that, but if what I'm reading in this thread still applies, the line outside the Thai consulate will be too long by the time I get there. Maybe there will still be enough time to get my application in?

[Mac Mickmanus]

8 minutes ago, Nayet said:

Thanks, I understand that, but if what I'm reading in this thread still applies, the line outside the Thai consulate will be too long by the time I get there. Maybe there will still be enough time to get my application in?

They close the applications down at 12 midday at the Embassy, you would need to be leaving Thailand/Mukdahan  at about 9 AM to be able to get there 

[Nayet]

Thanks, Mac!

[BritTim]

9 hours ago, Nayet said:

I notice buses from Bangkok to Mukdahan are all night buses. Is there any way to get to the Thai consulate in Savannakhet in time to apply for a visa same day as I arrive in Mukdahan? I'm trying to work out a viable itinerary.

The advantage of the night bus from Bangkok to Mukdahan (rather than a fly-ride service) is that the buses arrive at an ideal hour, in time for the first international bus from Mukdahan to Savannakhet in the morning.

 

WARNING: Ignore the post that indicates you can apply up until midday. That is incorrect. The gate closes at 11:00am. You will make it fine if you are on an early bus, but do not assume you have more time than you do.