Which bus is better for a visa run: arriving in Nong Khai at 9 am or Udon Thani at 6 am?

@Ama***

, that might work out better, the Udon bus station is about 60KM from the border crossing. so if you get in a 6 there you could be at the border sooner than 9.

@Amanda **********

it can be done

@Amanda **********

The border is open until 10pm, so you can.

You can also make it from the bus that arrives at 9am, but there are a few caveats to that - a) the bus would have to be on time (not by any means guaranteed), b) you'd have to avoid any faff at the border. It's usually hassle free, but there can be long queues on the Laos side, c) Once in Laos, you'll need to take a taxi straight to the consulate, which will cost you 300b. However, if all of the above works out, there's no reason why you can't make it to the consulate for 10.30. I think they stop accepting applications at 11.30, but someone may correct me on that.