Rosanne_43ans
14/12/2008, 22h17
I'm planning to make a visa run to the Laotian border so I can apply for a tourist visa there. But the visa service will cost me anywhere from 3500 to 5000 baht. Is there a way I can do this on my own? What means of transportation do I use? What can I expect there? Is the Thai embassy right at the border? How much is the hotel fee there and where should I stay? Is it open everyday? I'll be coming from Bangkok.There's a number of ways to go and a number of methods to get there. You can go to Udon Thani Khon Kaen and Nong Kai by bus or train and get a bus to Vientiane. I have provided estimated prices for 1st class transportation to Nong Kai (its the closest to the border but your price should be similar to any of the other destinations. The first class buses are very comfortable 24 seats and they travel over night. The train may require several days advanced purchase for some tickets.<br>
<br>
Go to the Lao embassy and get a Lao visa $1400 baht ($42).<br>
You can get direct over - the - border ínternational' buses from Udon Thani Khon Kaen and Nong Kai straight to Vientiane but they won't sell you a ticket unless you already have your Lao visa. <br>
<br>
Alternately you can get a bus to the border (at the bridge get off pay the visa fee and get back on another bus (if there available) or take a taxi but that will be 150-200 baht. <br>
<br>
You can take the 1st class bus from Mo Chit (Bangkok Northern Station) to Nong Kai for about 860 baht $26 or down to 3rd class for 420 Baht. <br>
<br>
You can take the train 1217 baht ($36) for a first class sleeper all the way down to third class fan for 258 Baht ($7.80). Next you have to get to the bus station, I don't know the price or if they have a bus but it should be more than 100 baht. <br>
<br>
At the bus station in Nong Kai get a ticket to Vientiane if you have a visa (170 baht $5.15). If not, get a ticket to the friendship bridge. <br>
<br>
Vientiane is about a nine-mile 20km taxi ride from the bridge. <br>
I would stay overnight in Vientiane (decent hotel about 750 baht) and visit Wat That Luang 200 baht r/t.<br>
<br>
Of course you have to reverse this process back to bankok. You can buy you bus ticket 3 days in advance on Thai ticket major but they don't have all classes of tickets for some reason.<br>
<br>
I went to Vientiane in April of 2008 (from Nakhorn Phanom) and I had no problems getting across the border.
<br>
Go to the Lao embassy and get a Lao visa $1400 baht ($42).<br>
You can get direct over - the - border ínternational' buses from Udon Thani Khon Kaen and Nong Kai straight to Vientiane but they won't sell you a ticket unless you already have your Lao visa. <br>
<br>
Alternately you can get a bus to the border (at the bridge get off pay the visa fee and get back on another bus (if there available) or take a taxi but that will be 150-200 baht. <br>
<br>
You can take the 1st class bus from Mo Chit (Bangkok Northern Station) to Nong Kai for about 860 baht $26 or down to 3rd class for 420 Baht. <br>
<br>
You can take the train 1217 baht ($36) for a first class sleeper all the way down to third class fan for 258 Baht ($7.80). Next you have to get to the bus station, I don't know the price or if they have a bus but it should be more than 100 baht. <br>
<br>
At the bus station in Nong Kai get a ticket to Vientiane if you have a visa (170 baht $5.15). If not, get a ticket to the friendship bridge. <br>
<br>
Vientiane is about a nine-mile 20km taxi ride from the bridge. <br>
I would stay overnight in Vientiane (decent hotel about 750 baht) and visit Wat That Luang 200 baht r/t.<br>
<br>
Of course you have to reverse this process back to bankok. You can buy you bus ticket 3 days in advance on Thai ticket major but they don't have all classes of tickets for some reason.<br>
<br>
I went to Vientiane in April of 2008 (from Nakhorn Phanom) and I had no problems getting across the border.