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What are the best travel options for a US citizen obtaining a 60-day tourist visa in Vientiane from Bangkok?
Visa OptionsTourist VisaThailand VisaUS Citizen TravelVientiane ConsulateAir TravelHotel RecommendationsExpat Advice
Jul 1, 2018
8 years ago
Dennis *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSPECIFIC ADVICE Wanted: US citizen currently in BKK on 30 day visa exempt extension. Have researched obtaining a 60 day Tourist Visa and Vientiane appears to be a good choice. Would prefer AIR TRAVEL. Has anyone done this that can recommend an airline/flight? Can't seem to find an early morning one that might allow me to go directly to the consulate and limit my stay to ONE NIGHT if possible. A handy hotel solution within walking distance? (Preferably NOT the DoungPraSeuth, perhaps a little nicer, but not uber expensive). Specific help is greatly appreciated!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion provides specific advice for a US citizen seeking to obtain a 60-day tourist visa in Vientiane, Laos. It suggests flying from Bangkok to Udon Thani early in the morning (around 6 AM) on airlines like Air Asia, Lion Air, or Nok Air and then taking a minivan to the border and directly to the consulate. Several users share experiences, including the option to stay overnight in Vientiane and recommend various airlines for flights back to Bangkok. Additionally, recommendations for nearby hotels are mentioned, with a preference for locations within walking distance to the consulate.
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Liam *****
Right, the best and only way to do this, without flying the night before, as others have said, is to take a 6am(ish) flight from Don Mueang to Udon Thani (Air Asia, Lion Air and Nok Air all have options), then a van from Udon to the border, then once across the border, a taxi straight to the Consulate (not the embassy!). If you do it this way, and assuming your flight is on time, you can be at the consulate for about 9.30am.
As for hotels, there are a few places within walking distance of the consulate, but I would suggest staying in the centre and getting a tuk tuk there, as in the centre you have far more eating/drinking/night market browsing options. The area around Consulate is a bit of a deadzone at night.
As for hotels, there are a few places within walking distance of the consulate, but I would suggest staying in the centre and getting a tuk tuk there, as in the centre you have far more eating/drinking/night market browsing options. The area around Consulate is a bit of a deadzone at night.
Liam *****
Beware that Mondays and Thursdays are the busiest days, so if you want to minimise the queuing, try to go Tuesday or Wednesday
Liam *****
@Dennis ******
yeah, that'll be fine. You will receive your passport back the following afternoonDennis *******
ORIGINAL POSTERDoes arriving at 9:30 am allow enough time to process? They stop takings apps at noon, right?
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Dennis *******
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Michael ********
The best and most comfortable way to do it is to get Thai airways in the night before directly to Vientiane from Suvarnabhumi, stay one night and go in the morning to the consulate. Stay another night and then get your visa then next afternoon and fly out late evening. It is NOT the cheapest by any means, but if you get a decent hotel perhaps with a pool or something it is a nice trip. I sometime value LESS Hassle and running around over saving a bit of money. Vientiane is a sleepy little town, but it has nice little cafes and a nice sunset. If you book ahead you may get a special so it might not be too crazy a price.
Michael ********
I also don't do 12 hours in a mini van or on a bus. Because screw that. ;)
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Michael ********
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Phil *****
I’m no expert but can tell you what I did . I from USA also . 30 visa exempt in Thailand then I went to KL then back to Thailand another 30 day via exempt which I extended for another 30 days. 90 days with no visa .
Tod *********
you're only going to be able to pull that off for so long before you're questioned by the immigration people when you stamp into the country about why you have back-2-back visa exempt entries. It's better to pull tourist visas from the various thai consulates in the area, get 60 days and extend that by 30 more if you need to
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Tod *********
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Bob **********
I’m here now Air Asia Don Mueang to Vientiane I flew into Udon but I only booked one way I will fly out of here for a few thousand baht and not doing the 2:30-4 hours in vans and busses
Liam *****
You can Take Lao Airlines to Bangkok at 18.30. Usually costs 3,000b, but includes luggage and a can of Beer Lao on board
Bob **********
@Tod ********
headed over nowTod *********
@Bob *********
you can't get your passport back from the thai consulate until 13:00 and unless you were the first person in line the day before to turn in your application (because they give passports back in the same order they took them) that's gonna cut it really close to make your way to the airport check in and make the 13:45 flight. Good Luck, let us know if it works.
Kevin *************
What’s the hurry? Give Laos a look!
Bob **********
13:45 Air Asia
Tod *********
Unless I'm wrong only thai airways has a flight late enough (20:30)
Tod *********
Air Asia doesn't have a flight from Vientiane that you can pick up your passport from the consulate and get to the airport in time to catch the flight. :/ You stay another day
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
If that's the case
The next afternoon, get your passport, go to the border, cross back into thailand, go to Udon Thani and catch an early evening flight back to Bangkok.
@Den***
, take @Iv**
's advice and catch an early morning flight by Air Asia, Nok Air or Thai Lion Air to Udon Thani, take the mini van from the airport to the border, cross into Lao, get to the consulate and turn in your paperwork. The next afternoon, get your passport, go to the border, cross back into thailand, go to Udon Thani and catch an early evening flight back to Bangkok.
Dennis *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks
@Tod ********
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Dennis *******
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Patricia **********
Following
Tod *********
How about stating WHERE in thailand you're wanting leave from?
Dennis *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI would leave from Bangkok
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Dennis *******
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Tod *********
There are NO direct flights to Vientiane that allow you to get to the consulate to turn in your paperwork before they close. You need to stay another day if you fly directly there
Ivan ************
There are 6AM flights from DMK to Udon Thani that would likely get you to the consulate in Vientiane that morning in time. Nok, Lion or Air Asia. Get a minibus (1hr) direct from Udon airport to the border or a taxi if you prefer.
Dennis *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Ivan McAvinchey
Squid ****
You can make it easily using minibus right at airport in udon. AirAsia has a direct flight now as well to Vientiane, but it's in the afternoon.
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Squid ****
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