# Laos to Thailand by Bus: All 5 Friendship Bridges & Vang Tao

> Bus tickets and border detail for all five Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges and Vang Tao: hours, fares, visas, and the 15 September 2026 rule change.

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

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## Quick answer

Five Thai–Lao Friendship Bridges plus the Vang Tao–Chong Mek land crossing. Bridges 1–4 ban walking and require a paid shuttle bus. The fifth bridge (Pakxan–Bueng Kan) opened 27 December 2025 and has a 100-baht cross-border bus running four times a day. Lao visa on arrival costs about US$40 or 1,500 THB. Thailand cut its visa exemption to 30 days on 15 September 2026, with land-border entries capped at twice per calendar year.

## 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 |
| 2nd Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | Savannakhet to Mukdahan, Thailand | 06:00–22:00 | Yes |
| 3rd Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | Thakhek, Khammouane to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand | 06:00–22:00 | Yes |
| 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | Huay Xai, Bokeo to Chiang Khong, Thailand | 06:00–22:00 | Yes |
| 5th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | Ban Kluai Udom, Pakxan district, Bolikhamxay to Ban Don Yom, Khai Si subdistrict, Mueang Bueng Kan, Thailand | 06:00–22:00 | Yes |
| Vang Tao – Chong Mek | Champasak to Chong Mek, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand | 06:00–20:00 | 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 |
| Vientiane to Udon Thani | 1st Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 3 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Khon Kaen | 1st Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 5 hrs | Yes |
| Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai | 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 20 hrs | Yes |
| Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai | 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 16 hrs | Yes |
| Huay Xai to Chiang Rai | 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 3 hrs | Yes |
| Pakse to Ubon Ratchathani | Vang Tao – Chong Mek | approx 3 hrs | Yes |
| Savannakhet to Mukdahan | 2nd Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 1 hr | Yes |
| Thakhek to Nakhon Phanom | 3rd Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 1 hr | Yes |
| Paksan to Bueng Kan | 5th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge | approx 3 hrs | No, not sold online |

## Common questions

### Can I walk across a Friendship Bridge?

Not on bridges 1 to 4. Walking and cycling are banned and you must take the paid shuttle between the two immigration posts. Bridge 5 is different: it was built with pedestrian walkways on both sides, but we have not been able to confirm whether foot crossing is actually permitted. Do not assume either way.

### What is the "overtime fee" at the bridge?

The bridge runs 06:00–22:00 but immigration often stops issuing new visas by mid-afternoon. Cross after the cutoff and you may be charged a small unofficial fee, real, usually a couple of dollars.

### How much is the Lao visa on arrival at the Thai border?

About US$40 for most nationalities, or roughly 1,500 THB if you pay in baht. Add US$1 at weekends and outside office hours. Bring cash and a passport photo, cards are not reliable.

### How do I get from Vientiane to Bangkok?

Via the 1st Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai, then bus or train. Crossing at Nong Khai and continuing separately is usually cheaper than a direct VIP coach.

### What is the new fifth bridge, and can I use it?

It links Pakxan in Bolikhamxay to Bueng Kan and opened to the public on 27 December 2025. A cross-border bus has run since 8 January 2026, 100 baht flat, four departures a day each way, about three hours including formalities. There is no bridge toll during the initial phase.

### Which crossing serves Pakse and southern Laos?

Vang Tao–Chong Mek, into Ubon Ratchathani province. It is the only major Laos–Thailand crossing that is a straight land border with no river bridge, so you walk between the posts.

### Do I need a visa to enter Thailand from Laos?

From 15 September 2026, 60 nationalities get 30 days visa-exempt, down from 60 days. Crucially, entries at land borders under the exemption are limited to twice per calendar year, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from that cap.

## 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
- [Thailand Immigration Bureau](https://www.immigration.go.th): Thai entry requirements

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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._