How to Travel to Laos from Thailand

There are many easy ways to travel to Laos as a tourist or expat currently staying in Thailand. Whether you’re looking to just visit, do a “border run” for visa purposes, or reside in the country long-term, knowing the most convenient pathways into Laos from Thailand is essential to helping you plan a smoother trip. 

Continue reading to find out how you can travel from Thailand to Laos, how you can acquire a visa, and what preparations you should make before crossing the border. 

How to Get to Laos From Thailand

Because Thailand sits right at the border of Laos, there are multiple pathways that you can take into the country. You can make your way there either by flight or by traveling overland. Depending on your travel preferences, each option offers a convenient way across the border. 

Flying Into Laos From Thailand

You can easily travel to Laos through numerous flights from Thailand. Air travel is the quickest route into the country and there are many low-cost carriers you can book to save money. You can book most of these flights at a Thai International Airport in Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai. 

When traveling by plane, you can expect to arrive in Laos at airports in either Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, or Pakse. In any case, it should not take more than an hour or so, as Laos is near Thailand and not a very large country.

Crossing Into Laos From Thailand by Land or Sea

If you don’t want to travel by plane, you can instead arrive in the country by taking a boat, train, or bus. You can also rent a car and drive to a checkpoint in your own time. 

While these methods take longer when compared to air travel, they are more cost-effective, especially if you’re making brief border runs from Thailand to Laos and are expected to be returning the next day. 

Traveling by land or sea is easier if you’re in Northern Thailand (such as in Chiang Mai) as it’s closest to the Laos border. You can still make the journey from Bangkok, but you might experience lengthier travel times and may initially need to head to a different province up north. Some routes you can take include, but aren’t limited to the following: 

• Traveling by boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang
• Traveling by train from Nong Khai to Vientiane*
• Traveling by bus from Chiang Mai to Vientiane or Luang Prabang
• Driving from Mukdahan to Savannakhet

*As of 2024, you can now take the Bangkok-Vientiane Rail Line to travel to Laos directly from Bangkok. 

How to Get a Laos Tourist Visa

Like with any other country, you will need to obtain a tourist visa to stay for a considerable amount of time as a non-Laotian citizen. Obtaining one will cost you around $50 (or the international equivalent). It is essential to keep in mind that if you are visiting Laos as a tourist, you cannot secure employment in the country.

Depending on your nationality, you may be exempt from needing a tourist visa. This applies to a total of 15 nationalities, each with different durations. Eligible nationalities include: 

• 14 Days: Myanmar
• 15 Days: Japan, Luxembourg, Switzerland
• 30 Days: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam

If your nationality is eligible, you can simply travel to Laos and present your passport to the border officer who will stamp it accordingly. 

There are 3 ways you can obtain a Laotian tourist visa:

Laos E-Visa

Valid for up to 60 days upon approval, the E-Visa is a tourist visa that you can apply for online. The estimated processing times are generally quick, and you can expect to receive your visa within 3 working days. However, it should be noted that only certain nationalities are eligible for the E-Visa program. You can find out your nationality’s eligibility for the program by reaching out to the nearest Laotian Embassy.

To apply, you will need to complete a simple application on the government website, upload all required documents, and then pay the fee. The documents you need to gather consist of only your passport’s biopage and a passport-sized photograph of yourself (taken in the last 6 months). Once you have the approval letter, you will need to present it along with your passport to the immigration officers at the border for entry into the country. 

Visa-On-Arrival

Much like the Thailand visa on arrival, this option offers a way for you to obtain a tourist visa upon arrival in Laos. These are valid for up to 30 days (but extendable twice) and you can apply for one in person at one of the international airports in Laos or after arriving at certain border checkpoints. However, certain nationals are ineligible for the visa-on-arrival, so you need to double-check your eligibility for this scheme before booking your flight. 

There are 29 nationalities that are not eligible for a visa-on-arrival:

• Africa: Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe   
• Asia: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,  
• Europe: Turkey
• Middle East: Afghanistan, Jordan, Pakistan, Syria 
• Oceania: Nauru, Tonga
• South America: Suriname

To apply for one on arrival, you will need to gather the following documents and present them to the border officer when you arrive at the immigration checkpoint:

• Valid passport with no less than 6 months validity remaining
• Completed and signed visa application form 
• Two passport-sized photographs of yourself 

You can acquire the application form, print it out, and complete it before you arrive in Laos, or you can choose to obtain it at the airport or checkpoint and fill it out in person. Once everything is ready, you can simply submit your application to the visa-on-arrival desk and pay the visa fee (which is only payable in cash). Processing times can take between 10-15 minutes, depending on the port of entry and the number of applicants. 

Laos Tourist Visa (T-B3)

If you do not qualify for an E-Visa or Visa-On-Arrival, you can consider applying for a standard tourist visa. This visa is valid for up to 30 days upon issuance, but you can extend it twice to stay for up to 90 days in total. 

You can apply for a tourist visa in person at the nearest Laotian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You will need to pay the visa fee and gather the following documents:

• A valid passport with no less than 6 months validity remaining
• Two passport-sized photographs (size 4x6cm) taken within the past 6 months
• Completed tourist visa application form (with one photograph of yourself attached)
• A photocopy of your travel itinerary

What to Do Before Traveling to Laos from Thailand

For a seamless journey to Laos, you not only need to confirm you can go through immigration and enter the country legally, but you also have to be prepared to return to Thailand towards the end of your stay. This is especially important if the purpose of your trip is to extend your visa, acquire a new one, or reset the duration of your stay permit. 

Apply for a Re-Entry Permit

Depending on what visa you hold, you may need to acquire a re-entry permit before you can return to Thailand. You can apply for this permit easily at a Thai international airport or the Thai immigration office at Chaeng Watthana.

Acquire the Correct Thai Visa

As a foreigner, you will need to have the correct Thai visa to be able to return to and reside in Thailand legally. There are many different visas to choose from, and which one meets your needs best will depend on our purpose in Thailand and your eligibility. 

To avoid the hassle of applying for a re-entry permit each time you want to re-enter Thailand, it’s best to apply for a multiple-entry visa. This visa allows you to make frequent trips to and from Thailand without needing to acquire a re-entry permit. Examples of Thai multiple-entry visas include the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), the Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR), and the Thailand Elite Visa. 

Plan Your Itinerary

If you’re looking to travel throughout Laos, you need to plan ahead of time to ensure your experience is as stress-free as possible. Aside from bringing a valid passport and visa (if applicable), here are other tasks you should complete as part of your itinerary:

• Apply for travel insurance in case of a medical emergency
• Book your accommodation well in advance
• Convert your local currency into Laotian kip (some venues may accept Thai baht)

Contact Siam Legal for Professional Assistance

To obtain a Thai visa quickly and conveniently, reach out to Siam Legal for professional guidance. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy operating for over 20 years in Thailand, our team has the experience and capabilities to ensure you get the right visa with no complications. We’ll handle the paperwork and, if possible, submit your application on your behalf, saving you the stress of having to deal with the Thai bureaucracy.

Contact Siam Legal today for a comfortable experience in both Thailand and Laos without worrying about immigration problems.

Category: Travel to Thailand