Comments on: Visa Run to Vientiane, Laos http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/ Tales from the "Big Mango" Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:36:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Eroc http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-8588 Eroc Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:29:04 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-8588 What's the advantage to going to Laos as opposed to any other land border crossing. What I want to know is how much time do you get stamped for? What’s the advantage to going to Laos as opposed to any other land border crossing. What I want to know is how much time do you get stamped for?

]]> By: Ruai http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-5421 Ruai Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:17:32 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-5421 Everything can always be done cheaper. At least for me, it's a matter of what's comfortable. :-) Everything can always be done cheaper. At least for me, it’s a matter of what’s comfortable. :-)

]]> By: crocodilexp http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-5419 crocodilexp Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:19:16 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-5419 Good visa run report, thanks. Seems that for 5000 baht you do get decent service. For those on a tight budget, or preferring to travel on their own, trip can be done in a different way. Here's how: - Bus to Nongkhai (from MoChit station): 700 baht for 24-seat VIP (very comfortable), a 40-seat cattle wagon is 450 baht or so. For those on a super-tight budget, train costs a princely sum of 105 baht (3rd class). - Lao visa at the border is $30-$40 for most nationalities, or 1500 baht. Change to USD and save 200-400 baht. - Misc. transport: tuk tuk to the bridge is 40 baht + 20 baht across + 40 baht shared songtaew to Vientiane = 100 baht. - OK room in Vientiane can be had for 600 baht, or a great one for double that (e.g. Khamvongsa, may well be 4*). They do fill up fast (less availability than in Th). Cost: Comfortable: 2*800 transport + 1200 Lao visa + 1200 hotel = 4000 (+ Thai visa fees) Cheapest: 2*250 transport + 1200 Lao visa + 600 hotel = 2300 (+ Thai visa fees) Good visa run report, thanks. Seems that for 5000 baht you do get decent service.

For those on a tight budget, or preferring to travel on their own, trip can be done in a different way.

Here’s how:
– Bus to Nongkhai (from MoChit station): 700 baht for 24-seat VIP (very comfortable), a 40-seat cattle wagon is 450 baht or so. For those on a super-tight budget, train costs a princely sum of 105 baht (3rd class).
– Lao visa at the border is $30-$40 for most nationalities, or 1500 baht. Change to USD and save 200-400 baht.
– Misc. transport: tuk tuk to the bridge is 40 baht + 20 baht across + 40 baht shared songtaew to Vientiane = 100 baht.
– OK room in Vientiane can be had for 600 baht, or a great one for double that (e.g. Khamvongsa, may well be 4*). They do fill up fast (less availability than in Th).

Cost:
Comfortable: 2*800 transport + 1200 Lao visa + 1200 hotel = 4000 (+ Thai visa fees)
Cheapest: 2*250 transport + 1200 Lao visa + 600 hotel = 2300 (+ Thai visa fees)

]]> By: JD http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-4909 JD Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:53:27 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-4909 Nice article about your visa run there - infromative and well written. I did a visa run recently as well, but it cost me a lot less. I did it by minivan and after all my costs, it was just around 4, ooo baht - that included my visa(s), transport and hotel for one night while I was in Vientiane, Laos. I also have done the border run to Cambodia as well, but that was just for an extension to my visa. If you need to go to Laos or Cambodia for a visa run and want to save money I recommend travelers to check out http://thaivisarunservice.com or alternatively you can call them at: 080-068-5827. happy travels:) Nice article about your visa run there – infromative and well written. I did a visa run recently as well, but it cost me a lot less. I did it by minivan and after all my costs, it was just around 4, ooo baht – that included my visa(s), transport and hotel for one night while I was in Vientiane, Laos. I also have done the border run to Cambodia as well, but that was just for an extension to my visa. If you need to go to Laos or Cambodia for a visa run and want to save money I recommend travelers to check out http://thaivisarunservice.com or alternatively you can call them at: 080-068-5827.

happy travels:)

]]> By: Douglas Anderson http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-4153 Douglas Anderson Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:05:08 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-4153 Like it says on the post, it was mid-May. There were at least 200 or more people, so that is why they used a ticket system, which wrked well. I have no idea what the norm is, but the crowd may be due to the free 60-day double-entry tourist visas, I dunno. This was the only time I have been to this embassy. In <b>Phnom Penh</b>, which I went to one time only about 3 years ago, I arrived at around 11 AM, and had to wait an hour to get served. At about 11:20 they locked the doors (I was inside by then) and anyone who arrived after that was told to come back the next day. Officially they closed at 12, but they would not let anyone in after 11:20. I was one of the last ones served and was out of there around 12 or shortly thereafter. While I was patiently waiting in the queue, several agents went directly to one of the windows with many passports in hand, easily 20 or more. I have no idea if they were acting on behalf of Khmer or farang applicants. Like it says on the post, it was mid-May.

There were at least 200 or more people, so that is why they used a ticket system, which wrked well. I have no idea what the norm is, but the crowd may be due to the free 60-day double-entry tourist visas, I dunno.

This was the only time I have been to this embassy.

In Phnom Penh, which I went to one time only about 3 years ago, I arrived at around 11 AM, and had to wait an hour to get served. At about 11:20 they locked the doors (I was inside by then) and anyone who arrived after that was told to come back the next day. Officially they closed at 12, but they would not let anyone in after 11:20. I was one of the last ones served and was out of there around 12 or shortly thereafter. While I was patiently waiting in the queue, several agents went directly to one of the windows with many passports in hand, easily 20 or more. I have no idea if they were acting on behalf of Khmer or farang applicants.

]]> By: misterken http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-4151 misterken Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:04:07 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-4151 this visa run you did to laos, how long ago was it. because I have done many runs to vientiane and at no time have been given a ticket at the thai consul. if you have time, say 3 days, it is a good idea to go to consul about 11.30am the queue is small. also. go tues-wed-thurs . stay in hotel on the river, great food, women, and very cheap beer. go back to consul about 2.30pm next day and queue will be minimal. or go to laos in the afternoon,laos visa counter, is less busy. book into hotel and the next day do the above. this visa run you did to laos, how long ago was it. because I have done many runs to vientiane and at no time have been given a ticket at the thai consul. if you have time, say 3 days, it is a good idea to go to consul about 11.30am the queue is small. also. go tues-wed-thurs . stay in hotel on the river, great food, women, and very cheap beer. go back to consul about 2.30pm next day and queue will be minimal. or go to laos in the afternoon,laos visa counter, is less busy. book into hotel and the next day do the above.

]]> By: Billy Bangkok http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/05/14/visa_run_to_vientiane_laos/comment-page-1/#comment-3747 Billy Bangkok Thu, 14 May 2009 12:35:10 +0000 http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/?p=550#comment-3747 Douglas, Really great visa run report. I was thinking about going this route as well but maybe on my own. Now I'm convinced to do it through a visa run company and save untold hours waiting around. Cheers, BBKK Douglas,

Really great visa run report. I was thinking about going this route as well but maybe on my own. Now I’m convinced to do it through a visa run company and save untold hours waiting around.

Cheers,

BBKK

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