What are the visa requirements and fees for entering Laos from Nongkai?

However, there's rarely an excuse if you're crossing a busy border such as Nong Khai, as money changers are available at the border or nearby. So unless you're showing up at 930pm and having to rush across the border before it closes or the money changer is closed as its after hours (say after 6 or 7) then it's quite straightforward.

It's called proper trip planning

@Steve ******

actually it is, otherwise you're spending around 600 Baht more than you need to be. Any intelligent person would exchange Baht for USD to pay for the visa, unless they're in a very remote area, forgot or have no time. Another option is to pay in Kip, which is more expensive than paying in USD, but cheaper than Baht.

@Nick ******

Pay in USD or you'll pay more in Baht, which is 1800 now, not 1500

@Steve ******

while I'm not the greatest fan of using USD outside of the USA, it's cheaper if you pay in USD. I'd bring dollars along just for that purpose, paying everything else in Kip (or occasionally, if I still have Baht on me and have run out of Kip - I pay in Baht).