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What is the border crossing process like by train from Vientiane to Nong Khai?

Oct 8, 2025
5 days ago
Damien ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone crossed the border by train from Vientiane to Nong Khai?

I will be in Vientiane for a couple days next week and booked a train back to Bangkok. Seen some travelers do this on YouTube and figured I’d give it a try.

I know some anonymous posters were not allowed to cross over from Laos on foot. Just wondering what the process is like.

I’m assuming it will be a smooth process of showing them my visa and getting my stamp lol
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Traveling by train from Vientiane to Nong Khai is a straightforward process for those holding a visa. Passengers must disembark at Nong Khai for immigration checks before continuing to Udon Thani or other destinations in Thailand. While past experiences of crossing on foot have raised concerns, train travel is generally smooth, particularly for those with valid visas. Pedestrians cannot cross the border directly and must use shuttle buses instead. It's important to note that Laos eVisas are not accepted at the railway border post.
Kurt *************
Yes. Did this crossing both ways without problem
Damien ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kurt ************
awesome! Thanks!
Jake *****
Yes I got the train from Vientiane to udon thani earlier this year. You get off the train at nong khai to go through immigration then you get back on the train to udon thani.
Nick *********
Getting the train in Vientiane is very similar to getting a plane from the airport they scan your bags on the way in and it's pretty organised etc so im guessing you can but not certain as I got it to vang vieng not another country lol
Christopher ***********
Beware Laos eVisas are not accepted by railway border post, only at road bridge crossing.
Dca *****
@Christopher **********
Yes, Lao eVisa is definitely Accepted at both Border Train Stations:

Khamsavath Train Station when crossing from Nong Khai into Vientiane and

Boten Train Station when crossing from China into Boten, Luang Namtha, Laos

>
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Christopher ***********
@Dca ****
Then why have there been reports of Laos eVisas being refused at rail station border points and passengers having to buy Laos Visa On Arrival instead?
Dca *****
@Christopher **********
if these actual field reports are about Entry into Laos at Khamsavath Train Station, then exactly when???

Because, if it is before 18 February 2025, then Lao eVisa was unavailable at Khamsavath Train Station and only Lao Visa on Arrival Visa Sticker as Lao eVisa started at Khamsavath Train Station on 18 February 2025 onwards....

So, the pertinent detail of specific dates is needed to discuss about Lao eVisa "refusals" at Khamsavath Train Station
Christopher ***********
@Dca ****
You sound confused. Has the OP said he has a Laos eVisa?
Dca *****
@Christopher **********
Sorry, I am not confused, but there have been no known reports of being refused entry into Laos with a Lao eVisa at Khamsavath Train Station after 18 February 2025, which you had referred to in an earlier reply to the OP and that will confuse the OP
Damien ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
I’ve noticed you have to be careful with this group due to people sharing wildly incorrect information.

It clearly states on the gov website that evisa travel is approved via rail 🤣
Christopher ***********
@Damien **********
‘Wildly incorrect’ means that you weren’t aware. You have noticed that people refer to the Chinese Railway service? You weren’t.
Damien ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher **********
buddy… are you ok? Haha the gov website clearly stated rail travel with evisa is approved. It’s ok to be wrong sometimes. Don’t try to argue semantics and tell others what they meant 🤣
Philippe *********
@Christopher **********
if you take the night train from bkk to vientiane...your evisa for Laos is Ok?
Christopher ***********
@Philippe ********
Ports of entry using Laos eVisa listed here;
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Brandon ************
@Christopher **********
He's not entering Laos via train. He's exiting Laos via train.
Christopher ***********
@Brandon ***********
Yes thanks I read that. The OP hadn’t stated how he was travelling from Bangkok to Laos so I stated what I knew ‘just in case’.
Paul *******
Yes it's an easy process. Crossing the border between Vientiane and Nong Khai can be done by international train from Khamsavath station to Udon Thani or Bangkok (or any other major station in Thailand, along the line). You can also cross by shuttle bus and switch to local transportation on the other side, or catch one of several cross-border buses: Vientiane to Nong Khai, Vientiane to Udon Thani, Vientiane to Khon Kaen (resuming on Friday) as well as Vientiane to Bangkok.

Private cars can also cross. Private motorcycles need special permission.

Pedestrians aren't permitted to cross - pedestrians need to use the shuttle bus.
Greg ********
The only people that seem to be having issues are those doing back to back Visa Exempt with or without extensions each time. You have a visa. You will be fine.