How to get there

Laos Flight Schedule

Note :
Due to the low domestic fares in Thailand it is cheaper to fly to Udon Thani, take the Thai Airways Limosene to the Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai cross over into Laos and continue the remaining 23kms to Vientaine by taxi.

Border Crossing

Several overland crossing points are now open for foreigners. There is no need to apply for a particular crossing when filling out your visa application form. It still seems to be a bit unusual, though, to choose any other crossing as the friendship bridge or Vientiane airport. Vientiane, Wattay International Airport Vientiane's Wattay airport is connected to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Guangzhou and Kunming. There is a USD 5 departure tax on international flights.

Thailand
There are several border points open to Thailand : Tha Khaek - Non Khai (the Vientiane Friendship Bridge), Huay Xai - Chiang Khong, Savannakhet - Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani - Chong Mek. For all, except the first, you have to have a valid permit.

Vientiane Friendship Bridge The Friendship Bridge is the "standard" way to enter Laos by land. It is located conveniently near Vientiane. (Sebastian) We left Laos over the friendship bridge. Unfortunately, it opens too late (at 8:00) to catch the 7:40 train to Bangkok. (Reservations for trains and buses can be made in Vientiane. Apparently, there are only three trains to Bangkok a day, two in the evening and the one in the morning.) Bus No. 14 will take you right to the bridge.

Pakse The immigration people had probably never seen a Malaysian passport before and it took us some time to convince them that it was a valid document even though it wasn't issued in Kuala Lumpur. From what I heard, it's definitely no problem leaving the country wherever you choose. Since it was Sunday, we had to pay 50 Baht extra for crossing the border. I've been told that it's the same at the friendship bridge. Anna had to pay 60 Baht extra in Jan 96 when she wanted to cross during lunchtime.

Huay Xai The border at Huay Xai / Chiang Khong is open from 8 to 17. It is now possible to obtain a visa on the spot. There are reports of travellers having to pay THB 50 to the Laotian immigration officers on Sunday, but this could be a temporary scam.

Cambodia
Tha Boei Currently, the border into Cambodia is not yet open to others than Cambodians and Laotians, but officials in Champasak hope to open the border for everybody in the near future. Currently, there is still an occasional Khmer Rouge activity, so it's not absolutely safe.

Laos Hotels & Resorts Reservation Service
Hot Line ! Tel : (662) 502 0753 Fax : (662) 584 5204