Border Crossing Laos to Thailand
The least expensive way to get from Vientiane, Laos to Thailand
Updated: December 9, 2018
Looking for how to travel from Laos to Thailand? We believe we have found the Best way to go from Vientiane to Thailand, while saving the most amount of money for your next adventure. We went from Vientiane, Laos to Nong Khai, Thailand; however you can travel to different locations in Thailand using the same method.
There are many ways to book transportation to cross the border from Laos to Thailand. There are numerous travel agencies, online vendors (we really like 12go.asia), tickets through your accommodation, or directly through the bus station in Vientiane. We did hours of research and thought we found the best way to cross from Laos to the Thailand border. We price compared, and after finding that most prices were very similar, we chose to purchase tickets via our hotel’s front desk. Shortly after our journey began, we discovered we were mistaken, there is a much cheaper way to do the journey! Now that we have completed the gauntlet we have reviewed, updated and feel confident to share what we have discovered to be the least expensive way to travel from Vientiane to Nong Khai. Keep reading for a step by step guide to get from Laos to the Thailand border.
While we might have paid a bit more in the original trip, our experience nevertheless was great. We were picked up directly from our hostel in Vientiane, driven to the bus terminal, transported to the Laos border via bus, proceeded through the border on foot then got back on the same bus to be ushered to the Thailand border where we were then dropped off at the Nong Khai bus terminal. The whole process was easy, however there are a few tips we have to make this trip less expensive and quicker for fellow travelers.
There is a local public bus that travels from Laos to Thailand. This is the least expensive option, and oftentimes the same mode of transportation that is sold from hotels and travel agents in the area. If the local agents are selling a bus that leaves around 07:30, 09:30,12:40, 14:30,15:30 and 18:00, chances are you will be taking this same public bus. The only thing you are paying additional for is the transport to the bus terminal. Depending on the deal you get, it is very likely that the price difference between the tickets being sold at travel agents and hotels versus purchasing the ticket at the bus terminal will be more than enough to hire a taxi on your own. In some prices we were quoted, the price was ten times the amount more than the actual cost of the bus ticket, as purchased through the bus terminal.
If you are considering booking through a travel agent, clarify if they use their own transportation. We were surprised, needless to say, when we took a very short taxi ride to the bus station to see the price of the trip much lower than what we paid.
Now for the good stuff! Here is our step by step guide how to get to from Vientiane to Nong Khai.
Step One
Walk to or hire a tuk-tuk, songthaew truck or taxi to the local bus station in Vientiane, called Khua Din Bus Station. Below you can find images of the station as well as a map with the location marked. Arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to get yourself situated, though you can probably show up later if you like to push it but you risk missing the bus.
Khua Din Bus Station (Vientiane's Public Bus Station)
Step Two
Purchase your ticket at the bus station for Nong Khai, Thailand for 15,000 Laotian Kip at the ticket window. It is possible to purchase tickets for various destinations here, please see photos and graphs below for examples of other itineraries.
Step Three
Time to wait! There is a sign noting the Lao – Thai International Bus Stop located at the end of the waiting area. In the picture below, the stop is the closest area on the right hand side.
Step Four
Board the bus, show your ticket, and take your assigned seat. Make sure you hold on to your ticket, as you might need to show it again. There is space on the bus below for large bags.
Step Five
Get passport ready along with money to pay for your ticket to get through the Laos border. Yes, they will get you one last time for some money to exit; 11,000 in Laos Kip or 45 in Thailand Baht (more on this in Step Six).
Step Six
When departing the bus, it is possible to take your belongings or leave them. You will return to the same bus after going through the Laos border.
Upon exiting the bus you will see a small stand marked “Custom Fee Point By RFID Systems”. Here you will need to buy a pass that is necessary to exit the facility. This pass enables you to pass through some RFID gates, located after passport control.The desk to purchase this is displayed in the photograph below. It is possible to go straight to passport control, however, keep in mind either way you need to purchase this pass. We did not know we needed the ticket so we got the passport stamped, then were denied entry at the RFID gates to exit Laos and were redirected back to the stand.
The fee chart pictured below seems to imply that a fee is only charged during overtime hours of 6:00 – 8:00 and 16:00 – 22:00. However, we were not there during overtime hours and were still charged the fee. When we travel, we try to have minimal local currency left over. We didn’t have any Kip but were able to pay in Baht, however, we overpaid in Baht and were not provided with any change. Anticipating this fee should help you keep some extra Kip or prepare exact change
Step Seven
The assistant on the bus typically will ensure everyone makes it back safely to the bus. After exiting through the RFID gates, get back on the bus. The bus seemed to wait for everyone but I would not stop for lunch as it might not be nice to make people wait or risk missing the bus.
Step Eight
After the Friendship Bridge get off the bus at the Thailand border. Here you need to grab all of your bags, walk through the customs office, recieve your stamp and enter Thailand.
Step Nine
Get back on the bus!
Step Ten
The bus will drop you off at the bus terminal in Nong Khai. Gather your belongings, depart the bus and get ready for your next adventure. Below you can find the Nong Khai Bus Station on the map.
Nong Khai Bus Station
Oasi Italian Restaurant
Doi Chaang Coffee Shop
We had a long layover before our overnight bus to Bangkok. We stumbled upon a great cafe with wifi and an adorable cat and pup wandering around. The name is Doi Chaang Coffee, it is about a ten minute walk from the bus station. Feeling extra curious? Try some of the rare weasel coffee here, an adored drink throughout Asia which consists of coffee beans passed by wild weasels.
There is also a great pizza place, Oasi Italian Restaurant, in Nong Khai. Keep in mind, it is a much further walk than the coffee shop. The food is great and service is excellent! We were stoked to fill our bellies with yummy food before our long bus ride.
You can find the locations of the cafe and pizza restaurant marked on the above map.
The bus was the perfect option for us, because our next step was a night bus bound for Bangkok. There are many other options but we believe the aforementioned steps are the least expensive and best option if you are staying in Nong Khai or continuing on via bus. If you are continuing on by train you can walk or take a taxi to the train station nearby.
Aloha, friends! We hope you enjoyed our article on Crossing the Laos Thailand Border. This was something that had many options and we had thought we found the best only to be quickly wrong. We hope that our experience helps you to save some money and stress less. All of these opinions are our own. May this information stoke your Thailand and Laos adventures!
Feel free to contact us with any thoughts, questions, comments or concerns.
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