What are the best travel options for a US citizen obtaining a 60-day tourist visa in Vientiane from Bangkok?

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.

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.

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 .

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

If that's the case

@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.

Following

How about stating WHERE in thailand you're wanting leave from?

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

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.