4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge Chiang Khong
A vital land crossing connecting Thailand and Laos, offering a gateway to new adventures. Navigate border formalities and experience international tra...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Smoother border operations
4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge Chiang Khong
Best Time
Smoother border operations
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vital land crossing connecting Thailand and Laos, offering a gateway to new adventures. Navigate border formalities and experience international travel.
"Crossing the friendship bridge of Thailand - Laos was an super feeling and weather was good too!"
🛃 Border Fees: Be Prepared
Some travelers report being asked for extra 'fees' at Laos immigration. Be persistent and show your e-visa invoice if questioned.
🚌 Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Book your bus ticket via 12go.asia for around 325 THB. The journey takes about 8 hours with stops.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Friendship Bridge Experience
A significant crossing point, offering a tangible connection between Thailand and Laos. Experience the unique feeling of international border transit.
Chiang Khong Town
A quieter Thai town with an early closing time, offering a more relaxed atmosphere before or after your border crossing.
Huay Xai, Laos
The Laos town on the other side of the bridge, serving as a gateway to further exploration of Laos.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Border Crossing
Transportation Logistics
Best Times
Insider Tips
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Laos border entry from Thailand. Updated info 2024 - Friendship bridge, Slow boat
🛃 Border Fees: Be Prepared
Some travelers report being asked for extra 'fees' at Laos immigration. Be persistent and show your e-visa invoice if questioned.
🚌 Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Book your bus ticket via 12go.asia for around 325 THB. The journey takes about 8 hours with stops.
Thai Laos Friendship Bridge IV
VISA on Arrival Slow Boat EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
🚖 Laos Side Transport
Private vans to Huay Xai hotels can be pricey. Consider walking to the first village for potentially cheaper rides.
📱 SIM Cards
Thai SIM cards often work in Huay Xai. Buying a SIM in Huay Xai might be more expensive; wait until you reach your destination.
Crossing from Laos to Thailand from Huay Xai
Tips
from all over the internet
🛃 Border Fees: Be Prepared
Some travelers report being asked for extra 'fees' at Laos immigration. Be persistent and show your e-visa invoice if questioned.
🚌 Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Book your bus ticket via 12go.asia for around 325 THB. The journey takes about 8 hours with stops.
🚖 Laos Side Transport
Private vans to Huay Xai hotels can be pricey. Consider walking to the first village for potentially cheaper rides.
📱 SIM Cards
Thai SIM cards often work in Huay Xai. Buying a SIM in Huay Xai might be more expensive; wait until you reach your destination.
💰 Visa Payment
Laos visa can be paid in Baht, USD, or Kip. Kip is generally the most expensive option.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Travelers generally find the 4th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge crossing to be a smooth and easy experience, especially when using services like K Buddy booked through 12go Asia. The process is efficient, with clear steps for immigration and visa procedures. However, some visitors have encountered unofficial fees or 'bribes' at Laos immigration, which can be a point of frustration. The cost of Laos visas and transportation on the Laos side are also noted as potential downsides.
"4 Mar 2025
Crossing the friendship bridge of Thailand - Laos was an super feeling and weather was good too!
I am a travel agent and traveller you can contact me on Instagram ID
Personal ID: mystry_scrt
Business ID: mercijourney"
Monica Tinna
"We crossed this border using a company called K Buddy about 4 days ago.
We first bussed from Chiang Mai to Chiang rai and hung out there for a couple days - was fab! Quieter and things close early but that’s okay.
We booked our crossing using 12go Asia. About $30AUD each. k buddy driver picked up from our hotel in Chiang Rai city centre and picked up one other person. We drove in a sedan to the Thai border. The driver was fantastic he spoke great English and had plenty of funny stories. This drive took 2 hours ish. No traffic at all!
At the Thai border the driver took our picture and sent it to the Laos pick up staff. We then got a sticker (the bus over the bridge was included in our ticket). The border station was dead quiet. Had toilets and seats to sit and wait on.
Jumped on the 5 min bus to Laos. There was a driver who collected us at the other side and gave us our paperwork. We filled in 3 forms. Visa, arrival and departure forms. Gave paperwork and passport at window 1. Paid 80baht for passport photos. Moved to window 2, got my passport back with departure card and qr code. Super easy and quiet station.
QR code is for your visa purchase info. You can pay in baht/USD/kip. There are atms and exchange facilities. Kip is the most expensive. The driver grabbed our QR codes and money then did our visa payments for us whilst we just jumped in the back of the truck and were driven to our hotels.
Also SIM cards are expensive here don’t buy, Thai sims work in Huay xai. Get one there for cheaper.
It was all so smooth!
Pick up was at 12:45pm in Chiang Rai and dropped off in Huay Xai by about 4:30pm.
4 star since the Laos visa was expensive. $73aud in baht/$43usd. If you pay in kip it’s $83aud."
caitlin cunningham
"I did this border run yesterday from Chiang Mai Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge No 4:
1. Book bus from Chiang Mai to Chang Khong 12go.asia. Around 325THB
2. Meet at assigned Chiang Mai bus terminal
3. Enjoy bus ride about 8 hours. Cozy seat but comfy to doze and sleep. Snack, water and wet tissue provided on board.
4. Several stops in between the journey to alight passengers and 5-10mins toilet breaks and 1x 20 mins meal break
5. Arrived at Chang Khong around 16:45. Bus conductor will transfer you to a Tuktuk, 50B and bring you to immigration. (Tuktuk all standby once you alight the bus)
6. Once you stamped out your passport at Thai border, there will be bus service to send you to Laos for 25B. Waited for 10 mins before bus arrive.
7. At Laos, fill up arrival form and Laos lady officer asked for 40B overtime fee. BRIBE!! Stamped and entered Laos
8. At Laos do an immediate way back to Thai border ,40B. Waited only 10 mins.
9. Once at Thai border, stamp into Thailand. Get ready to place of residence when asked.
10. It’s around 6:30pm now and only have private vans to bring you to your hotel, 10km at 100B.
11. Spent a night at Chang Khong before heading back to Chiang Mai
Follow my travel adventures and tips on:
Instagram/ YouTube/ TikTok: @bernardwangg
I made a short video on this:
https://youtu.be/RDcycL70ZKo"
bernard wang
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can book a bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong via platforms like 12go.asia. The journey typically takes around 8 hours and includes several stops for breaks.
After stamping out of Thailand, a bus service is available for 25 THB to take you across the bridge to the Laos side.
While direct buses are not common, you can take a bus to Chiang Khong and then cross the border to Huay Xai. Some services like K Buddy, booked via 12go Asia, offer a more integrated transfer.
The drive from Chiang Rai to the Thai border typically takes about 2 hours, with minimal traffic reported.
Upon arrival on the Laos side, you'll find tuk-tuks and vans. Be prepared for potentially high prices; walking to the first village might offer better rates.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, most nationalities require a visa to enter Laos. You can often obtain a visa on arrival at the border. Be prepared to fill out arrival and departure forms.
The Laos visa fee can vary, with reports of around $43 USD or its equivalent in Baht/Kip. Paying in Kip is generally the most expensive option.
Some travelers have reported being asked for additional 'overtime fees' or 'sticker costs' which may be unofficial. It's advisable to be persistent and refer to your e-visa invoice if applicable.
The border crossing is generally open during daylight hours. It's best to aim for daytime travel to ensure smoother operations.
Yes, you can typically pay for your Laos visa using Thai Baht, US Dollars, or Laos Kip.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Both the Thai and Laos border stations usually have toilets and seating areas for waiting.
Crowds can vary, but traveling during peak tourist seasons or specific times of day might lead to longer waits. Early mornings are often less crowded.
Yes, there are currency exchange facilities and ATMs available at the border crossing.
For many, the crossing is smooth and easy. However, be prepared for potential bureaucratic steps and the need to fill out forms.
The actual crossing and immigration procedures can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on queues and efficiency.
📸 📸 Photography
The bridge itself offers a scenic view, especially during the day. Capturing the moment of crossing between two countries can be a memorable photo opportunity.
Daylight hours provide the best visibility for capturing the bridge and surrounding landscapes. Early mornings can offer softer light.
It's generally advisable to avoid taking photos of immigration officers or sensitive border areas to respect regulations and privacy.
While on the bridge itself, you can capture the expanse. Views from the riverbanks on either side might also offer good perspectives.
A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient. Consider a wide-angle lens if you want to capture the full scope of the bridge and landscape.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Once on the Laos side, transportation to Huay Xai can be expensive. Consider pre-booking a family-friendly transfer if possible, or be prepared for a short walk to find more affordable options.
💰 Budget Travelers
Be vigilant about unofficial fees at immigration. While the Laos visa has a set cost, be prepared to politely decline any requests for extra 'service' or 'sticker' fees if you have your documentation in order.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding Border Fees and Potential Bribes
Beyond immigration, other 'service fees' might be presented. For instance, a bank counter might ask for a 'visa fee' for currency exchange, which can be ignored.
Transportation from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai
Upon arrival in Chiang Khong, the bus conductor will typically arrange a tuk-tuk transfer to the immigration office for a fee of 50 THB.
Social
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