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|Updated: 05 May 2024
Read about the essential steps for a successful Thai visa run to Vientiane, Laos, including travel options from Bangkok, accommodation recommendations near the city center and a detailed guide to the visa application process at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane. Plus, get insider tips for navigating the city and making the most of your trip.
When traveling from Bangkok, there are a variety of ways to get to Vientiane. You can use a private car/taxi if your budget allows, but most people will choose to travel via bus, train, or plane. Traveling via bus is the cheapest option unless you wish to travel by train with no AC. I opted for the sleeper bus and purchased a one-way ticket from Morchit bus terminal in Bangkok to Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai for 650 baht. There are multiple bus companies to choose from, and I would advise choosing a company offering either 'VIP' or 'Gold' class as these tend to be the more modern buses with comfier seats and a toilet on board. All buses leave Morchit around 8 PM and plan to arrive at Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai around 5 am the next day. This bridge stretches across the Mekong River and was built back in 1994, connecting Thailand and Laos. The bus will drop you off on the Thai side of the bridge where you can grab a 711 toastie for breakfast and wait until the bridge opens at 6 am. When the bridge opens, walk over to the Thai immigration to get your exit stamps and proceed to get the 35 baht bus across Friendship bridge to the Laos Immigration. Here you will get your Laos Visa on arrival costing 1000-1200 baht depending on your nationality. If you don't wish to pay the 800 baht 'admin fee' like me, then remember to bring passport photos for your application. Now you have entered Laos, you still need to get to Vientiane about 20 km away. Once again, you have the usual options: taxi, private bus, or the public green bus which is what I chose. The public bus only costs 30 baht and takes 35 minutes to Vientiane bus terminal.
Location-wise, I would stay as close to the city centre as possible because this is where the best restaurants and markets are. Staying in a central location means most things are within a 5-10 minute walk or a short Tuk Tuk ride away. Accommodation-wise, there are multiple options depending on your budget and preference. Hostels are the cheapest and a great way to meet other people. They offer beds in mixed dorms for around 150-350 baht a night and will normally come with a locker to store your valuables. If you prefer your own space, then private hotel rooms range from 350-1000+ baht a night depending on style and how modern the building is. Most accommodation will offer a basic breakfast option consisting of toast, fruit, and juice.
If you search online, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation, but if you have the time, I would also walk around and ask hostels, hotels, and cafes directly as you can normally negotiate a cheaper price. For example, my first two nights I stayed at Da Vika hotel for 700 baht a night via booking.com. Compare this to Dada café accommodation that I couldn’t find online anywhere, but after speaking with the owner one morning, I was able to negotiate a similar room for 350 baht a night.
All visas are issued at the Thai Embassy which is a 10-minute Tuk Tuk ride from the city centre. It’s important to remember that the Thai embassy in Vientiane accepts appointment only, you cannot just turn up and que. You must book your appointment on their website and then plan your trip around your appointment. The process is pretty straightforward, you turn up at your appointment time and que up with everyone. The staff will check your documents and let you know if they require anything further for your application. If needed, you can find a family sitting at the gate in a pickup truck who will assist with printing and scanning for a small fee. Once all documents have been checked, the immigration officer will issue you a ticket confirming you've paid and telling you what date and time to come back and collect your passport. I was traveling there for a Non B visa which I found out is a 3-day process here in Vientiane compared to the 2-day process in Savannakhet. For this reason, I advise booking your appointment on either a Monday or Tuesday so that you can get everything back before the weekend. Otherwise, you will need to stay in Vientiane until the following week as immigration offices are closed at weekends.
A scam to watch out for is the Tuk Tuk drivers will try selling you visa application forms whilst you wait for the gates to the immigration building to open. Respectfully decline as you will receive the application form for free inside.
In all honesty, there is not much to do in Vientiane. It’s still a developing city and you can really feel that when you're there. That being said, if you are a foodie, there are lots of cool cafes and restaurants to check out offering something for everyone at reasonable prices, as well as some cool rooftop bars. I highly recommend Tipsy Elephant Rooftop lounge as it offers amazing views of the river and reasonably priced drinks.
The highlight of my trip was the two evening markets that can both be found in the city centre. If you’re looking for cheap Chinese knock-offs, then head to the market down by the river. But if you’re looking for delicious local food, then head to the food market, a 5-minute walk inland. You can’t miss it as most of Vientiane congregates here in the evening. If you’re staying in the city centre, then most places are within a 10-minute walk, but Tuk Tuks would be an alternative way around the city. Just be prepared to negotiate for a reasonable price. I downloaded the ‘LOCA LAOS’ app which is the Laos version of Grab or most hostels/hotels can assist with booking taxis.
