# Laos Bus Tickets: Border Crossings to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China

> Bus and train tickets across Laos, plus every land border into Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. Real hours, visa rules and fares, checked in Vientiane.

**Source:** https://laosbustickets.com/  
**Language:** en  
**Last verified:** 4 September 2026  
**Written by:** Laos Bus Tickets, Vientiane, Laos
**Other languages:** [Français](https://laosbustickets.com/fr/index.md) · [Deutsch](https://laosbustickets.com/de/index.md) · [Español](https://laosbustickets.com/es/index.md)  

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## Quick answer

Laos shares land borders with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. There are five Thai–Lao Friendship Bridges (the fifth opened 27 December 2025), nine Laos–Vietnam international checkpoints, exactly one Laos–Cambodia crossing at Nongnokkhene (06:00–18:00), and the Boten–Mohan crossing into China served by both road and the Laos–China Railway.

## Border crossings

| Crossing | Connects | Hours | Lao visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | Vientiane Capital to Nong Khai, Thailand | 06:00–22:00 | Yes |
| Nongnokkhene – Trapeang Kriel | Khong District, Champasak Province to Trapeang Kriel, Stung Treng District, Stung Treng Province, Cambodia | 06:00–18:00 | Yes |
| Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | Savannakhet to Lao Bảo, Quảng Trị, Vietnam | 07:00–19:00 | Listed officially, disputed in practice |
| Boten – Mohan | Luang Namtha to Mohan, Yunnan, China | 06:30–22:00 | Yes |

## Routes

| Route | Border crossing | Duration | Bookable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vientiane to Bangkok | 1st Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | 20–24 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Nong Khai | 1st Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | 1–1.5 hrs | Yes |
| Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai | 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 20 hrs | Yes |
| Huay Xai to Chiang Rai | 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 3 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Hanoi | Nam Phao – Cầu Treo | approx 24 hrs | Yes |
| Savannakhet to Hue | Dansavanh – Lao Bảo | approx 12 hrs | Yes |
| Luang Prabang to Hanoi | Nam Soy – Na Mèo | approx 24 hrs | Yes |
| Pakse to Siem Reap | Nongnokkhene – Trapeang Kriel | approx 14 hrs | Yes |
| 4000 Islands to Siem Reap | Nongnokkhene – Trapeang Kriel | approx 12 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Vang Vieng | , | approx 4 hrs by road | Yes |
| Vientiane to Luang Prabang | , | approx 10 hrs by road | Yes |

## Common questions

### How many Friendship Bridges are there between Laos and Thailand?

Five. The fifth, linking Pakxan in Bolikhamxay to Bueng Kan, opened to the public on 27 December 2025. Almost every travel site still says four.

### Can I get a visa on arrival at Laos land borders?

At most of them, yes, for roughly US$40 in cash plus a US$1 surcharge at weekends. Coming into Laos from Vietnam or Cambodia, do not rely on an eVisa, carry USD cash.

### Can I still travel overland from Thailand to Cambodia?

Not directly. Every Thailand–Cambodia land crossing has been closed since the 2025 conflict, with no reopening timeline. The remaining overland route runs Thailand → Laos → Cambodia.

### What changed for Thailand on 15 September 2026?

The 60-day visa exemption ended. It is now 30 days for 60 nationalities, and entries at land borders under the exemption are capped at twice per calendar year. That matters if you do visa runs to Nong Khai.

### Is the train faster than the bus in Laos?

Much faster. Vientiane to Luang Prabang takes about 1 h 46 m by train against roughly 10 hours by road. Tickets release three days ahead at 06:30 Laos time and do sell out.

### Which crossing do I use for Vientiane to Bangkok?

The 1st Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai. You cannot walk or cycle across. It is a mandatory paid shuttle bus, or the twice-daily train.

## Sources

- [Lao Department of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.la): checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- [Tourism Authority of Thailand](https://www.tatnews.org): the 15 September 2026 visa exemption change
- [Lao News Agency (KPL)](https://kpl.gov.la): the fifth Friendship Bridge opening
- [Vietnam Immigration Department](https://evisa.gov.vn): e-visa checkpoints and rules

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_Written and maintained from Vientiane. The people behind this site have lived in Laos for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months._