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What is the process for entering Laos from Nong Khai for a visa, and what should I know about traveling there?

Mar 16, 2026
a month ago
Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
60 day visa exempt ends March 27th flights horrendous back to UK thinking of getting train to Nong Khai what’s the process in entering Laos there might do a couple of weeks there and wait for flights to come down ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the difficulties of returning to the UK from Thailand and considers traveling to Laos instead, given concerning flight prices. Various commenters provide insights on the travel process from Nong Khai to Vientiane, Laos, including visa options, transportation costs, and the procedure at the border. Recommendations include securing a visa on arrival for $40 (or 2000 baht), using public transport like buses for crossings, and options for train travel from Bangkok. Important notes include the need for a digital arrival card for Laos and suggestions for having US dollar cash on hand.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.in.th)

Greg *************
Are you joking or what?
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Richard *********
There are several flights available on your dates with Skyscanner for under £470…with stop overs and total flight times of around 17 hours. What’s your problem?
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Graham **********
Best exchange is actually in a pharmacy there. Sorry I cant remember which one. I was very surprised when some family members took me there. Not as surprised as getting some official documents translated in an earthworm farm. Yes they exist and this one was in a residential street. My uk bank, natwest will not recognise use of their atm machines, but you can draw cash from a bank with a debit card and your passport.
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Geoffrey *********
Graham Margetts If you notify your UK bank before or even after arrival in Laos, will they not allow use of cards at ATM's - like mine did ?!
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Graham
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Richard ***********
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Robert ***********
There is very little prospect of flight prices (particularly direct flights to Europe) coming down in the short-medium term.

Rising fuel prices, longer routes, (and high demand for direct flights especially), continued disruption of the fuel market, and a reduction in global refinery capacity will mean no rapid change.
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Frank *********
You will be waiting a long time
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Geoffrey *********
Went to Vientiane in January, having been kicked out of Thailand , prematurely , because of newly enforced Visa exemption/ extension rules . Train journey from Korat to Nong Khae (change at Udon Thani) 63 Baht, TukTuk to border control/bus 100 Baht, bus over Friendship Bridge 30 Baht.

On arrival at Laos border control, find men at desk who will complete and expedite your 30 days Visa (2000 Baht) Application , for a 100 Baht tip. After crossing into Laos, a taxi driver will extort about 500 Baht from you, for the (30 kms?) journey into Vientiane. Everything paid for in Thai Baht, which is generally welcome in Laos.

Ps. There is also a requirement for an online entry permission application, foc, within three days of arrival date. This will automatically show up against your passport number, at Laos Immigration control.
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Andy ********
If you are travelling from Bangkok you have the option to get a train direct to Vientiane. You get off the train as you cross the border but get right back on.

With regards to a visa you can apply online first or get a visa on arrival. Applying for an e-visa will save you time at the border.
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Graham ******
Andy Oswald and save a page in his passport
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Matt **********
Andy Oswald that sounds awesome. I did it decades ago and the train finished at the border and there was a bus the rest of the way
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Andy
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Ian **********
Richard Broderick Visa on arrival is $40 cash or 2000 baht so get cash dollars (good condition notes).They have a digital arrival card now, which I think works at this border crossing
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I might try for e visa Ian and thank you so much
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Richard ***********
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Michael ********
You really want to spend 2 weeks in Laos
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Ian **********
Michael Harmon Yes, it is lovely and cheaper than Thailand
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Michael ********
Ian Morrison It may be cheaper but it's a lot more boring. Maybe for one week but not 2 weeks
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Michael ********
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Was just going to give it a try
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Steve *******
Michael Harmon Why not? Beautiful Country 👍
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Steve *******
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Frank **********
Why not apply for a 30 day extension?
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bored now here to be honest
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Frank **********
Richard Broderick lol. Okay, good luck on your next adventure.
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you frank
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Richard ***********
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Greg ********
Everything after that is an adventure. Have fun 👍 😁
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Greg ********
Visa on arrival. 30 days. At least for me. Canadian. You should do the Mekong river two days one night. Pretty cool 😎.
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Greg how do you get from Nong Khai to Vientiane please thanks for your help and yes I will do that how much is the visa please ? Is it cash ?
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Ant ***********
Richard Broderick

There is a transport bridge

You use to be able to walk over and do a stamp and come back .

There is a bus from Nong Khai

30 baht

There are people either side that , for a fee , will help

40 USD for a Visa to Laos

for most countries
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Ant yes it’s UK passport I’ll walk across then is it a long walk lol ? Back has gone
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Ant ***********
Richard Broderick

I think the walking days maybe long gone ?

When you want to go to Laos - at the bridge area ( Nong Khai - Thailand side )

There is immigration of course to stamp you out & some forms

The 30 baht bus over the bridge takes 5 minutes
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Ant ***********
Richard Broderick

Sorry I will edit my post a bit more

From Nong Khai

You can get a Bus over

30 baht
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Ant ***********
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Greg ********
Richard Broderick can't remember. bus probably and cash for visa
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Richard ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Greg
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Richard ***********
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