Laos visa questions

I am planning to visit Laos in mid-December, few questions:

<OL>- I will arrive Bangkok first then take night train to Nong Khai. Is it easy to get tickets if I buy on the same day or one day before departure? If I want to purchase train ticket in advance, how can I order it?</li>
- I am holding both Taiwanese and Canadian passports. When I enter Thailand I will use my Canadian one (because I need to apply Thailand visa if I use my Taiwanese passport), and I want to use my Taiwanese passport when I enter Laos (cheaper visa fee, I heard the visa for Canadian are the most expensive!!). Are there going to be any problems if the Laos immigration finds I have no Thai entry/exit stamps/visa on my Taiwan passport?</li>
- How much is the landing visa for French?</li>

Thank you everyone in advance.

Last November, when I tried to get some tickets on the day I arrived, the guy said the trains were fully booked. He said I could wait and he'd see if a cancellation came up. One did, and we got our tickets - 1st instead of 2nd class, but that was okay. For details on how to book ahead, see Seat 61.

yeah trains can be full this time of year. if you cant do a reservation i would go with a government vip ( they leave from mochit station) bus there you will get a seat for sure (just show up if one is full take the next one). comfortable too and not much price difference.

It all depends on the staffs' mood, when you submit your (Taiwanese passport) to Lao visa-main windows at the bridge- they will check your current status of Thai Visa. In this case you don't have an entry (Taiwan passport). Be sure to use Canadian passport for Thai exit stamp.

Me thinks you are better off playing with one passport. Crossing border is not something you want to fool around especially in Lao.

I understand the cost of Laos visas is determined on a pro rata basis, i.e. it reflects the cost of a visa for a Laos citizen to the passport holder's country. Visa for me (NZ passport) was cheaper than US or Canadian. French dunno, suggest you check with and embassy or government website.

WeiLong in Laos

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<hr>How much is the landing visa for French?<hr></blockquote>
What? You've got a French passport as well?

Thanks for the information, I think I will use my Canadian passport to enter both countries.

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<hr>What? You've got a French passport as well? <hr></blockquote>

No....my friend is French and he will travel with me.

If you have to be concerned with the already minor Visa fees, I hate to see where you sleep.....

Dont forget to budget for the departure tax at BKK.

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<hr>Dont forget to budget for the departure tax at BKK.<hr></blockquote>

Departure tax is included in the flight ticket from last year.

Can you get an 30 day visum for Laos at the border between Thailand and Laos?

Which crossing? Most, incl. Chiang Khong, Nong Khai, Mukdahan and Ubon offer visa on arrival.