Chiang Khong to Huay Xai: How to Cross the Thailand-Laos Border (2024)

Wondering how to Cross the Border to Xuay Xai from Chiang Khong?

So, you’ve toured Thailand and are ready to head to Laos overland. Or maybe your Thai tourist visa extension has run out, and a swift border run to Laos for five minutes is all you need. Either way, here are all the overland trip details you need to know to navigate the Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, Thailand to Laos border crossing.

Although relatively straightforward, overland travel for the Thailand-Laos border crossing can be tricky only because there is limited reliable, up-to-date information available online. Nevertheless, I successfully crossed from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai in early 2023.

However, it’s important to remember that regulations and conditions might alter without notice!

Is Chiang Khong border open?

Yes, the Chiang Khong border crossing is open and available for travelers between Thailand and Laos. The checkpoint is located near Chiang Rai and provides an easy access point for those looking to travel into the northern regions of each country.

Summarized Process of the Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, Thailand – Laos Border Crossing

1. Transport yourself to the Thai border station of Chiang Khong
2. Exit Thailand
3. Pay a 20 baht fee to take a shuttle bus across Friendship Bridge #4
4. Fill out the Laos visa on arrival forms, and enter through customs
5. Go to the Visa payment kiosk to pay your fee, enter the country

(**For those returning to Thailand or going from Laos to Thailand)

1. Turn left and leave Laos with the departure card attached to your arrivals card
2. Pay a 25 baht fee to take a shuttle bus across Friendship Bridge #4
3. Fill out the TM6 Thai arrivals form
4. Enter through customs either with visa exception or a preprepared visa

Before You Go: Entry Requirements

Travel Documents

As for any official international country crossing, you will need travel documents, aka your passport. 

Laos Visa

Although a small number of countries have an automatic 15-day visa exemption, almost all other nationalities require a visa before entering Laos. Fortunately, visitors may obtain theirs upon arrival at many land and airport ports of entry into the country, so no prior preparation is required. 

Be sure to bring enough cash with you or there is an ATM and money exchange service at the border station. Below is the amount to be paid for each nationality.

Tip! The visa-on-arrival form will require a passport photo. Bring a picture if you have extras, but you can also pay a small fee to take a picture on-site.

Documents Laos Does NOT Check For

• COVID-19 Vaccination
• Proof of Funds
• Outward Bound Flight
• They didn’t ask or check anything really

Step 1: Get Yourself to The Chiang Khong Border Station

Transport Options

1. Book a transportation service to take you directly
2. Rely on public transportation
3. Drive yourself to the border if you are crossing for visa purposes (I did this from Chiang Mai)

Route Recommendation

I opted to drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong to get some sightseeing done in the Golden Triangle area and tour Chiang Rai. Here are some notable Thailand places to visit along the way that I have full guides to:

• Sticky Waterfalls, Chiang Mai
• White Temple, Chiang Rai
• Blue Temple, Chiang Rai
• Black House (Baan Dam Museum), Chiang Rai

 But, if I were to do it again, I would take public transportation. 

If you are okay with paying extra, a preplanned border crossing service provides convenience and greater flexibility in travel times.

1. Book a Transportation Service

You can book a service that will take you to Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai. You will have to change buses between the two countries, but a driver will be waiting on the other side for your arrival. 

Many people using border-run services are longer visitors to Thailand, running out of their visas. Many tour agencies offer transportation that costs 1800 baht (~53 USD) to bring you to the border, wait for you to return, and then return to Chiang Mai.

2. Rely on Public Transportation

Most people crossing the Chiang Khong to Huay Xai border crossing are traveling from the northern Thailand cities of Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, where public transportation connects directly. 

If you are in southern Thailand, there are more easily accessible border crossings to Laos and Malaysia, the latter of which does not have a visa fee at all. However, there is a direct bus from Bangkok to Chiang Khong if you so choose.

Step 1: Get yourself to Chiang Khong

From Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong

Get your final Thai massage in and sip the last of that coffee before hopping aboard the one daily bus departing from Chiang Mai and head toward Chiang Khong town. You’ll likely need to spend the night upon arrival, as the coach departs in the morning and arrives at its destination around 4 pm during mid-afternoon.

From Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong

You have many more options from Chiang Rai, about 5 times per day. The bus tickets will only cost 70 baht and take around 2.5 hours.

From Bangkok to Chiang Khong

While I wouldn’t recommend it, one daily direct bus goes from Bangkok to Chiang Khong. Be aware though; this will be unbelievably lengthy and ticket prices are quite expensive. At this point, I would strongly suggest flying instead.

Step 2: Get to the Friendship Bridge #4 Border Immigration Office 10km Away

For a cost of 50 baht, grab the public songthaew from Chiang Khong bus station to the immigration office. You could also opt for more convenience and luxury by hiring a taxi or tuk-tuk to drop you off at the friendship bridge.

3. Drive Yourself to the Border (Visa Purposes Only)

If you are just doing a visa run, it might be nice to have your own transportation so that you may explore the area or just stay wherever and leave whenever. The downside is that it’s quite a journey from both Chiang Rai (2 hours) and Chiang Mai (5 hours).

Leaving your vehicle at the immigration office parking lot is free, even if you plan on overnighting in Laos.

You can rent a scooter for 200-250 baht daily or much less if you rent weekly or monthly. Or you can rent a car if you have a larger group of people.

Step 2: Leaving Thailand

Completing this process of leaving Thailand is remarkably straightforward. You only need to present your passport to immigration, and they will stamp you out.

Step 3: Cross Chiang Khong – Huay Xai Friendship Bridge #4 Toward Laos

To cross Friendship Bridge #4, pay 20 baht and take the Chiang Khong to Huay Xai shuttle bus on a 5-minute drive. Busses depart approximately every 10 minutes until 8 pm. Though the border closes at 10pm, so you may have to walk after hours if needed. I haven’t witnessed any pedestrians making the trip by foot.

Step 4: Laos Visa on Arrival Process

Pick up two forms:

1. Visa on Arrival Form
2. Arrival/Departure Card

Complete the standard visa form information and submit it directly at the VOA kiosk. They will ask for your passport photo if you have it. Though, if you don’t have one, just pay a small fee for them to take one right there.

Step 5: Info For Those Doing a Thai – Laos, Chiang Khong Border Run

1. Before filling out the visa form, an agent may propose you to pay extra for him to “expedite” the process. If you value your money, DO NOT do this. You will end up paying around 60 USD instead of 40 USD for the “convenience” and the terrible exchange rate since you can only pay this in baht. You will save 5 minutes of walking, so it’s not worth it.
   
2. Follow through step 4 of payment of the visa fee, then literally turn left to leave Laos. Show the officer the departure card you just filled out to get a Laos exit stamp.
   
3. Pay a 25 baht fee to take the shuttle bus across Friendship Bridge #4. The same one you just took. (Yes, it is 5 baht more for some reason.)
   
4. For all tourists, fill out the TM6 Thai arrivals form. For people with special visas, there is a prompt on the form indicating you to fill out what type of visa you hold. This will be “NA” for people just doing the regular visa exemption.
   
5. Exit quickly through customs with your brand new 30-45 day visa exempt pass or a preprepared visa.

Nice and easy, lemon squeezy.

Tip! You can only cross any Thai land border twice in one calendar year, or you will be turned away the third time. This should reset when January comes along. Here is a picture of the exact wording below, as I’m not sure this applies to flights.

Final Thoughts: Navigating the Chiang Khong to Huay Xai Border Crossing

This Chiang Khong to Huay Xai Border Crossing was fairly simple, especially since you have this handy-dandy article outlining exactly what you must do. 

Just bring your passport and USD if you want to pay the least in exchange rates. Be mindful of visa regulations as they vary depending on your nationality and change at any point.

Finally, a friendly reminder for those doing the Thai-Laos border runs, only two crossings per calendar year are allowed for Thailand, which resets when January comes around. Good luck!