Laos
 

Does any one know the latest? When we were going to go to Laos in 2001 you were not allowed to ride your bike across the Friendship Bridge at the border but had to get your bike trucked across the bridge. Is this still so? And can you get a visa at the border crossing or should you get one in advance. Thanks.

We were there in 2002 and getting in was very simple. Here's the entry from our journal -
"The Thai side took only a few minutes and we crossed over the long 'Friendship Bridge' between the two countries, stopped at traffic lights at a figure of eight junction which crossed the traffic over on to the other side of the road - back to riding on the right again. The Lao side took a little longer because it was difficult to find anyone who knew what a carnet was - I guess we could have just got our visas and stamps and ridden straight through like we did in Cambodia but we'd heard that you need to get the carnets stamped in Laos. Everyone was very smiley and friendly - it's just frustrating when people take the carnet, try to decide what to do with it, and every time anyone comes up with a piece of paper they do recognise, they deal with that - very time consuming and patience trying! Finally it was all done and we were free to go."

So you might get away without a carnet if you just ride in.

Harvey

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no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

Hi,
we have been in Laos beginning of this year. We entered the country near Pakse. Nice town, good starting point. The bordercrossing was without any problems.
We got our 30 day visa in Bangkok. At the border we got for the same price only a 15 day visa. An extension cost us 3 USD per day.
We spent 42 days in Laos and enjoyed it very much.

Ulrike and Kai
www.bikesonworldtour.de

No problem these days, The bikes on trucks scam has been eliminated, you can ride across. Thai customs and immigration at Nong Khai is computerized, (ie: quick) and many "Falang" on "Big Bikes" are crossing into Laos, so Laos customs are much better at processing them.
Ulrike and Kai are right, it is cheaper to get your visa in Bangkok.
For up to date riding info check out gt-rider.com There is a laos section that will answer any of your questions, and David Unkovitch has good Laos maps available.
Enjoy the Beerlaos...

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