Originally Posted by
Mabuk dan gila
You can fly to Chaing Rai on AirAsia. Take the morning or noon flight unless you want to spend the night in Chaing Rai. From Chaing Rai bus station there are very frequent buses to Chaing Kong. Like every hour, if not more frequently. I forget the price but it is practically free. I forget how long it took but IIRC it was an hour or two. At Chaing Kong take a tuk tuk to Thai immigration at the riverside for like 30 Baht, clear Thai exit immigration. Pay like 20 baht for a ride across the Mekong on a rickety looking motor boat that leaves "often" to Lao immigration at Ban Huay Xai. Visa on arrival is available. IIRC $30. Bring dollars because it is 1500 Baht if you pay in Baht. The border closes overnight at 6:00PM so keep that in mind time wise. It is all very inexpensive and relativity easy to navigate.
Thai Air also flies to Chiang Rai and prices are much cheaper if you purchase at an office or on the phone rather than online. Go figure.... Also as a US citizen I believe the visa fee is $35 for Laos. The price is dependent upon nationality. Otherwise spot on.
I haven't been over this border since the bridge was begun. Oh the days of getting in and out of boats with a pyramid of bags at the front.
