Bus trip to Vientiane...details needed please

Post by **semperfiguy** » March 10, 2013, 2:48 pm

The wife and I will be headed to the US Embassy in Vientiane later this month, so I would be pleased to hear from someone who has taken the bus from downtown Udon to Vientiane. What is the immigration procedure on both sides of the bridge? Is this an advisable way to travel to Vientiane or is there a better way? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Post by **jackspratt** » March 10, 2013, 3:01 pm

I have never used that service, but other posters have said you must have a Lao visa prior to boarding the bus (if you want to go direct to VT) ie they won't stop and wait for you to get a visa on the Lao side.

Closest Lao consulate office is in Khon Kaen.

Post by **merchant seaman** » March 10, 2013, 3:03 pm

To ride this bus you need your Laos Visa already in your passport. You can get this in Khon Khen. This bus service is excellent. Last time I used it the fare was 80baht. If you do not have the Laos visa before hand they will not sell you a ticket.

Post by **Asiaphile** » March 10, 2013, 3:03 pm

As JS alluded, you cannot take the Udon - Laos bus up to Vientiane unless you already have a Laos visa (obtainable from the consulate in KK). The visa procedure at the bridge takes too long for the bus to wait for you.
So the easiest way is to take an early bus to Nongkhai, get off at Tesco's, tuk-tuk it to the bridge, stamp out, get your Lao visa at the other side of the bridge, and take a taxi from there to US Embassy.
There are several other ways through which other posters will undoubtedly guide you.

Post by **ting_tong** » March 10, 2013, 5:17 pm

drive your car to the border, park at one of the pay for parking places and go across the bridge............why take a bus?

Post by **Asiaphile** » March 10, 2013, 9:17 pm

...why take a bus?

Presupposition: "Everyone has got a car."

Post by **ting_tong** » March 10, 2013, 9:45 pm

I know SFG owns a car, and if you dont believe go here: http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/p ... ml#p321174

so why should he take a bus when he can drive to the border and park in a secure gated parking lot?

Post by **douglas** » March 11, 2013, 8:02 am

Hi,
You are correct there T.T.. I used to drive to border, park car then go into one of the places there and get a car to take me through all the B.S. A British P.P. holder, to get into Lao, has to pay 1600B, 35USD. and the cost of going through the Thai side, i think 100B. Different countries pay different prices. The driver waited for me to go through, we had something to eat, did the Duty free shopping, Bring the wife with you and get her D.F. quoter. Only cost 50B for a Thai to enter Lao.
Plenty of Cabs and Tuk Tuks to take you to the embassey on the Lao side.
Oh. I forgot you have to have photos to get into Lao. These were included in the price. The total price was 2100B
Cheers Doug.

Post by **Barney** » March 11, 2013, 9:00 am

Another option if you decide to drive in place of the bus is get a passport for your car and drive all the way into Laos.
My girl got the vehicle passport in KK where we currently reside, not sure where to get in UT?

Post by **boes** » June 26, 2013, 5:32 pm

Can you make the photo at the Laos immigration ??

Post by **BobHelm** » June 26, 2013, 5:35 pm

You cannot make a photo there, but they don't seem to stress too much if you don't have a photo. They just charge you another (I think) 200 baht. Not sure how many extra dollars it is if you have gone that route...

Post by **merchant seaman** » June 26, 2013, 5:51 pm

Can get a Photo just before going through Thai Immigration when you leave

Post by **let it be** » July 21, 2013, 11:52 am

Barney wrote:Another option if you decide to drive in place of the bus is get a passport for your car and drive all the way into Laos.
My girl got the vehicle passport in KK where we currently reside, not sure where to get in UT?

Our Thai insurance company told us our car is not insured outside Thailand. Were we correctly advised?

Post by **boes** » July 21, 2013, 2:08 pm

Can you buy an insurance for Laos for your car at the Nong Khai border ?
Is it enough showing the blue book or do you have to have a special passport for the car ?

Post by **joepai** » July 21, 2013, 2:19 pm

Your vehicle will not be insured under your Thai policy for outside Thailand.
Yes you need a vehicle passport before leaving Thailand
Yes you can buy the Laos version of the Government insurance at the border - note, like the Thai version it is a waste of paper and not worth anything - drive very carefully !

Post by **boes** » July 22, 2013, 12:00 pm

Thank you for the answers so far I have One more question :
Where in Udon can you get this vehicle passport ??

Post by **joepai** » July 22, 2013, 12:24 pm

Vehicle Licensing office