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Laos → Cambodia · Verified 4 September 2026
Laos to Cambodia by Bus: The Only Border Crossing
One crossing, and one only: Nongnokkhene to Trapeang Kriel, open 06:00–18:00. Everything else you may read about is closed to foreigners.
- Exactly 1 crossing
- 06:00–18:00
- VOA both directions
- Known for stamp fees
Search Laos to Cambodia routes
Where is the crossing, and when is it open?
There is exactly one legal land crossing between Laos and Cambodia: Nongnokkhene in Khong District, Champasak, to Trapeang Kriel in Stung Treng. It opens 06:00–18:00, earlier than most sources say. Both countries issue visa on arrival. Bring small USD notes.
Last verified 4 September 2026
The crossing
| Crossing | Connects | Hours | Lao visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nongnokkhene – Trapeang Kriel Also written Veun Kham, Dom Kralor |
Khong District, Champasak Province → Trapeang Kriel, Stung Treng District, Stung Treng Province, Cambodia | 06:00–18:00 | Yes |
Still almost universally called Veun Kham or Dom Kralor by bus companies, blogs and even some maps. That is the old crossing name and it is local traffic only now. The post foreigners actually use is Nongnokkhene–Trapeang Kriel nearby.
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia visa on arrival | US$30 | Cash, plus a passport photo |
| Cambodia e-visa | US$30 + US$6 handling | Fewer than half of Cambodia's land borders accept it, not the safe choice here |
| Lao visa on arrival | approx US$40 | Depends on nationality; +US$1 at weekends |
The unofficial fees are real
- About US$2 for an exit stamp, and up to US$5 on the Lao side, neither of which is official.
- A posted US$2 weekend and after-hours surcharge.
- A '+US$5 stamp fee' on top of the US$30 Cambodian visa.
Nobody is in danger here. It is a small, quiet post and the paperwork moves fast. But the pattern is decades old and well documented. Bring small USD notes, know the real prices above, and do not hand your passport to anyone outside the official counter.
Where sources disagree
The official Lao register lists the Lao eVisa as valid here. Travelfish and multiple traveller reports say it is not accepted and that visa on arrival is the only thing that works. Both can be true: an entitlement on paper that booth staff do not honour is a recurring pattern at this post. Our advice: carry USD cash for visa on arrival and treat an eVisa as a bonus if it works.
Routes across this border
PaksePhnom Penh
Direct servicePakseStung Treng
Direct service4000 IslandsSiem Reap
4000 IslandsStung Treng
Direct service4000 IslandsPhnom Penh
Book a through-ticket for the full journey before you go. It costs little more and it removes the classic problem at this border: being told your onward bus "already left" once you are across and have no leverage.
Common questions
Where exactly is the crossing?
Nongnokkhene in Khong District, Champasak Province, facing Trapeang Kriel in Stung Treng. Still called Veun Kham or Dom Kralor by many operators. That is the old post.
What time does it close?
18:00. The Lao register gives 06:00–18:00, earlier than the 20:00 quoted elsewhere. Build in a buffer.
Do I need a visa in advance?
No. Both countries issue visa on arrival. Cambodia is US$30; Laos is typically around US$40.
Can I use a Cambodian e-visa here?
Risky, fewer than half of Cambodia's land borders accept it. Cash on arrival is safer.
Will I be asked for unofficial fees?
Probably. Around US$2 for an exit stamp, up to US$5 on the Lao side, and a "+US$5" on the Cambodian visa. Bring small notes.
Is there an ATM at the border?
No. Nearest are Stung Treng or Pakse. Bring cash.
How long does the crossing take?
The paperwork is quick, the post is small and rarely busy. Delays are almost never the border itself, they are how infrequently onward transport runs.
Laos Bus Tickets
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.
Sources for this page
- Lao Department of Immigration: checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- Cambodia e-Visa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cambodian visa fees
- Travelfish: field reports on visa on arrival in practice