Drive to Ventiane! Is my husband crazy? - Ajarn Forum

tammy · 23rd July 2008, 20:30

We have to make yet another visa run as the paperwork was (again!) not correct. Needless to say, we have now overstayed!
On our last visa run we flew to Ventiane on Laos Air. It cost quite a bit more than what we had budgeted for but I thought "what the heck! It will be our last time this year!" (WRONG!) While we were there, we really enjoyed the town and had some great food.
Anyway, now my husband has the idea that we should rent a car and drive there to save costs. He thinks it would be a nice scenic drive.
Has anyone done this before? Any tips would be helpful. I thought about using one of the visa run companies but they seem to only specialize in the tourist visas and we need non-imm O and B.
Our paper work is now in order so there should be no problems there. I have seen threads on taking the train but I am waaayyyy too old for that.:-) I like to be as comfortable as possible as economically as possible. Also there is the overstay fine. I know the procedure at the airport but am not sure what it would be at the border. Would we pay that at the border?
Thanks in advance!

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 23rd July 2008, 20:32

If you want to cut costs take the bus. Renting a car is expensive.

redhaze · 23rd July 2008, 20:33

Where are you starting from? Getting out of Bangkok might be hard, but the plan seems sound other than that. Unless there are vehicle regulations or insurance issues that I'm not aware of. Perhaps another poster can chime in on that front.

aging one · 23rd July 2008, 20:34

You are gonna pay in petrol and hotel in Nong Khai as much as the air ticket. Then you have the rental, and the hassle of insuring the car for Laos.

Overstay I dont know.l

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 23rd July 2008, 20:35

I think that the driver would need to have a work permit in order to rent a car and as it appears that they are trying to get out of the country in order to secure Non O or B it seems unlikely that they have work permits. Insurance is expensive as it will be a short-term day-by-day policy.

rogerman · 23rd July 2008, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by tammy

I thought about using one of the visa run companies but they seem to only specialize in the tourist visas and we need non-imm O and B.

How wrong could you be..... A visa agent will only charge about 5500 for the complete journey (including visas). I know, as that what i have used in the past.

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 23rd July 2008, 20:39

55,000?? Assuming you mean baht and not kip did they fly you there by helicopter?

aging one · 23rd July 2008, 20:43

I see 5500 and no edit.

Big Bear · 23rd July 2008, 20:43

Overpay you can pay at the border, same as at the airport.

You are now on tourist a tourist visa and want to get a non-O and non-B. (Note that if the non-O is based on a dependent of soemone with a non-B visa you have to wait till the person on the non-B visa get's an extension of one year. Before that you can not get an non-O visa as a dependent).

Another possibility for getting a non-immigrant visa is to simply make a border run and get a 30-day visa exempt entry (if you are allowed one and didn't use your 90 days in a 6 month period). At immigration you can than convert your "visa" into a non-immigrant. This would cost 2000 for the conversion and 1900 for the non-immigrant visa and must be done within the first 8 days of your permitted to stay stamp.

rogerman · 23rd July 2008, 20:45

Yeah it was a typo....the cost is about 5500.... not 55000 like i had posted before

Lizara · 23rd July 2008, 20:47

I think the train is probably the most economical way to go, and I didn't really find it uncomfortable in second class. Get a lower bunk in an air-conditioned car if you want to be even more comfortable. You could even go first class without paying all that much more.

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 23rd July 2008, 20:52

Sneaky Sneaky Rog mate!

I'd go for the train but an overnight 2nd class fan sleeper. Air-con is just too cold at night on a train.

rogerman · 23rd July 2008, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsLeedsLeeds

Sneaky Sneaky Rog mate!

Thats my middle name.

I go for comfort and ease...... and it also works out cheaper too

ScienceGuy · 23rd July 2008, 20:57

You can fly to Udon Thani(domestic) for cheaper than Vientianne(international) and then take a bus over the border. It's about an hour or two for the flight and an hour or two for the bus. Add an hour at the border if you overstayed.

The cheapest and easiest way is to take the train. It takes 12 hours and you get to sleep in a bunk-bed, there's a toilet, and food is available at 10x the price of normal. If you pack a decent meal, some books, and some good company, it can be nice. Much better than driving.

Rather than renting a car, I had a friend who rented a taxi to go from Bangkok to Vientianne. He paid 5000 Baht total(to the driver). If you think about it, it's a little cheaper than flying and WAY faster than a train. It still took him 3 days total. No getting around that...

For what it's worth, you can just fly to Singapore(as opposed to Vientianne) and live like a god for the same price... Jk but I bet it's true now.

Killing Me Softly 101 · 24th July 2008, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by tammy

I have seen threads on taking the train but I am waaayyyy too old for that.:-) I like to be as comfortable as possible as economically as possible.

No, it is the best way. I have taken it several times. Mom, 76, likes it too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsLeedsLeeds

I'd go for the train but an overnight 2nd class fan sleeper. Air-con is just too cold at night on a train.

Exactly the right option. IMO

The other way is the rt to UDON by plane. About half of the rt cost direct to Vientiane. Car is not a cheaper option and you would not be allowed to take it into Lao PDR.