Hi Richard! I am an American expat living in Udon Thani, and I am thinking of taking my immediate Thai family of 6 (which includes myself) to Luang Prabang on October 16th and returning on Oct 18th. I have a few questions if you would be so kind to reply.
Firstly, do we all need to enter Laos with passports?
If we begin the trip in Udon Thani, how do I handle clearing Immigration in Laos? I know that the Thai travelers can clear Immigration free of charge. Do we clear Thai Immigration at the Nong Khai train station and then clear Laos Immigration when we arrive at the Vientiane Station? It's all pretty confusing to me. I want to make the trip as hassle and stress free as possible, so
perhaps it is more convenient if we just drive to Nong Khai, park the car for 3 days and clear Thai Immigration at the Friendship Bridge, then cross to Vientiane by bus, then I pay the $40 for the visa, we all clear Laos Immigration at the same time, then take a van to the Vientiane train station and head out to LP.
Yes, you would need passports to go to Laos. Though Thais can get a border pass for short trips. But they will find passports more convenient. Thai immigration is done at Nong Khai Station and Laos Immigration is done at Vientiane Khamasavth Station. There you can buy your Visa on Arrival for $40. Then you can take a 30 minute bus to the high speed station for 30 minutes.
Hi Richard! I am an American expat living in Udon Thani, and I am thinking of taking my immediate Thai family of 6 (which includes myself) to Luang Prabang on October 16th and returning on Oct 18th. I have a few questions if you would be so kind to reply.
Firstly, do we all need to enter Laos with passports?
If we begin the trip in Udon Thani, how do I handle clearing Immigration in Laos? I know that the Thai travelers can clear Immigration free of charge. Do we clear Thai Immigration at the Nong Khai train station and then clear Laos Immigration when we arrive at the Vientiane Station? It's all pretty confusing to me. I want to make the trip as hassle and stress free as possible, so
perhaps it is more convenient if we just drive to Nong Khai, park the car for 3 days and clear Thai Immigration at the Friendship Bridge, then cross to Vientiane by bus, then I pay the $40 for the visa, we all clear Laos Immigration at the same time, then take a van to the Vientiane train station and head out to LP.
What do you suggest?
Yes, you would need passports to go to Laos. Though Thais can get a border pass for short trips. But they will find passports more convenient. Thai immigration is done at Nong Khai Station and Laos Immigration is done at Vientiane Khamasavth Station. There you can buy your Visa on Arrival for $40. Then you can take a 30 minute bus to the high speed station for 30 minutes.
Is there a restaurant on board
No there isn’t.
Cheers
Thank you for all the effort you put in mate, I look forward to more information about Thailand to Laos by train as it will be on my list of to-dos.
Thanks. More coming soon
Thank You 🙏🏻
very good step not only both countries but taravelers also