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  #1  
Old 18 Oct 2022
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Bike rental in Laos or ride from Thailand
Hi all,

I have spent the day reading past discussions and sticky for Thailand so I'm sorry if this is already out there and up-to-date.

Im in Northern Thailand for a few months beginning of 2023 and was hoping to rent 250 ish CC (honda Crf etc) for this period (like I normally do but to include a few weeks ride to Laos this time). It looks like riding into Laos is not possible / a lot of bother? (I really need a chill time, minimum stress if poss)
Is this still the case?, I have spoken to a couple of rental company in Thailand who just say bike has to stay in Thailand.
I understand I would need paperwork at border so I cant just do it without their agreement / knowledge?

Assuming the above is still true, can anyone recommend an honest yet affordable rental company in Northern Laos, I was hoping for around $10 usd a day for a couple of weeks, am I just a bit tight? as all the ones I found on line are stating around $40-$50 USD / day which is just not possible for me.

I would ride / rent in Cambodia but I dont really want to fly all the way there fist but this is my other option (have already done Nam in 2020)


Sorry for the essay, all the best to everyone...:
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Last edited by Sir Andy; 18 Oct 2022 at 22:16.
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Old 18 Oct 2022
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You already understand that you need the owner's (rental company's) permission to cross the border, regardless of what the respective governments might say. If you can't get that permission, everything else becomes irrelevant. I'm doubtful there is a workaround, but I'd sure be interested in hearing if you find one.

IMO, an expectation of finding a reliable agency on the internet charging US$10 per day for two weeks is pretty unrealistic. You might find a little Chinese scooter of some sort for that price, most likely by asking at your hotel once on the ground--quality varies greatly, and I'd be reluctant commit without seeing an actual bike first. Finding a Honda 250 for $10/day would be unlikely to the point of absurdity.

I've rented Honda 250s in Laos and Vietnam, but I assume you're looking for post-COVID information. Cheaper rates were available everywhere for cheaper bikes.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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Old 18 Oct 2022
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Originally Posted by markharf View Post
You already understand that you need the owner's (rental company's) permission to cross the border, regardless of what the respective governments might say. If you can't get that permission, everything else becomes irrelevant. I'm doubtful there is a workaround, but I'd sure be interested in hearing if you find one.

IMO, an expectation of finding a reliable agency on the internet charging US$10 per day for two weeks is pretty unrealistic. You might find a little Chinese scooter of some sort for that price, most likely by asking at your hotel once on the ground--quality varies greatly, and I'd be reluctant commit without seeing an actual bike first. Finding a Honda 250 for $10/day would be unlikely to the point of absurdity.

I've rented Honda 250s in Laos and Vietnam, but I assume you're looking for post-COVID information. Cheaper rates were available everywhere for cheaper bikes.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Well thanks for your reply anyway, not sure it helps me. I dont see my price guide as ridiculous or wildly unreasonable, more based upon what I am quoted for the same in Thailand, what I recently paid in Vietnam, and in Thailand in May this year and also a recent post on here for Cambodia but hay, maybe Laos prices are so much more than the nearby countries.

I dont do hotels, now that would be absurd for a 3 month regular trip and I am not looking for rental agencies, hence asking on here hoping someone might have something positive.

Cheers anyway
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Old 18 Oct 2022
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Just in case anyone has any information for me, please dont think I am stuck on the $10 amount. My "hoping" was absolutely not an "expectation" so if you have any recent experience of renting in Laos and it was not silly expensive then please share
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Old 18 Oct 2022
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Originally Posted by Sir Andy View Post
I dont see my price guide as ridiculous or wildly unreasonable, more based upon what I am quoted for the same in Thailand, what I recently paid in Vietnam, and in Thailand in May this year and also a recent post on here for Cambodia...
You've seen "new-ish" Honda CRF 250s rented for $10 per day in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia? Really? A lot of us would be grateful to hear more about that.

Since it sounds like I don't have anything of interest to offer, I'll bow out. But you might want to clarify what you mean by "not looking for rental agencies," since you seem to have been inquiring at some. And if you're not planning to stay in hotels, what I said about finding cheap rentals applies equally to guest house owners, couch surfing hosts, shopkeepers, mechanics, fuel attendants, and almost anyone else you meet.

Good travels!

Mark
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Old 19 Oct 2022
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I am not sure about renting companies in Laos, but the company I used when I rode Northern Thailand and Laos let me take the bike over the border.
I hired the bike in Chiang Mai. The bike was quite new and he changed out the plastics for old ones?
Crossing the border with the paperwork was no hassle at all
Details should be at the beginning of my ride report
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...and-laos-79478

Wayne
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Old 19 Oct 2022
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Cheers Wayne, that is helpful info. I know of Riders Corner but haven't been there since they changed hands and stopped the Hubb, I never even thought about them renting bikes so I will ask them.(or did you rent from C&P. ?Apparently they dont allow use outside Northern Thailand and are one of those "We keep your Passport" types who dont get my business if possible)

One concern, I might be mistaken, your referred post was 2014?.I imagine a fair bit might have changed since then so I was wondering if you know if this is still possible....There seems to be a lot of info on The Net from 2010-2014 etc but I would hope some-one has been recently.

What paperwork will I need for the bike to be able to cross into Laos?

Many thanks for taking the time to respond.

Andy
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Old 19 Oct 2022
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I think Riders Corner could be the answer...I sent them a message and I notice they sell Laos Map on their site so I might be in luck...cheers again
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Old 19 Oct 2022
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Originally Posted by Sir Andy View Post
Cheers Wayne, that is helpful info. I know of Riders Corner but haven't been there since they changed hands and stopped the Hubb, I never even thought about them renting bikes so I will ask them.(or did you rent from C&P. ?Apparently they dont allow use outside Northern Thailand and are one of those "We keep your Passport" types who dont get my business if possible)

One concern, I might be mistaken, your referred post was 2014?.I imagine a fair bit might have changed since then so I was wondering if you know if this is still possible....There seems to be a lot of info on The Net from 2010-2014 etc but I would hope some-one has been recently.

What paperwork will I need for the bike to be able to cross into Laos?

Many thanks for taking the time to respond.

Andy
Phil owned the place when I did the trip
But It was C&P who I got the bike from, if I remember correctly and I dealt with them direct once in country, Phil just did the initial leg work for me. Maybe their policy has changed, as you correctly stated it was 2014.
They couldn’t keep my passport, due to going into Laos so I left a deposit instead.
But I believe the new owner of riders corner rents bikes. He also is on ( if not owns) https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/
Which is a local travel forum and also informative.
I also stayed a rider corner the night before I set off.
If I remember correctly I tipped up with the paperwork from the rental company, my passport, cash and immigration/customs sorted out the rest. I think I but the info on my thread.
If you get my way on, stop in for a brew

Cheers

Wayne
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