I’ve discussed what a visa run is before (so if you don’t know, click the link), and thanks to my indefinite travel plans I seem to be constantly bordering hopping! Last week I had to get an extra couple of weeks stamped into my passport so off I was to Cambodia again.
This time I went with a company, I wanted it to be stress free, fast and with no complications. I went with Thai Visa Service. They charged be 1900 baht which included all transport, visa fees, paperwork, everything!
Benefits:
1) They take you to a different border crossing than Poi Pet – much less hassle and fewer people
2) They are faster
3) Hassle Free
They leave from On Nut BTS station at 7am, and arrive back in Bangkok at 5pm. It really is the easiest way to do your visa run.
TOTAL COST: Around 1900 Baht ($60 USD)
Alternatively:
In the past, I’ve gone on my visa runs via public transport from Bangkok to Cambodia and back again, and here’s how it breaks down, complete with how much it costs:
STEP BY STEP:
STEP 1) Taxi from your condo/hostel to the bus/train station: 40 mins, 150 baht
STEP 2) Either:
A) Train from Hua Lampong Train Station to Aranyaprathet (Poi Pet).
Train number:275 Departs Hualamphong at 5:55 am and arrives Aranyaprathet at 11:35 and costs 48 Baht for lowest class. Note – it’s often delayed!
B) BUS: every 30/40 mins from the Mo Chit station, also stops at old Don Muang and Rangsit, it takes 4 hrs, cost 150 baht
STEP 3) From Aranyaprathet, take a tuk-tuk or motorbike to the border (around 80 baht)
STEP 4) Stamp out of Thailand, line up and get your Cambodian visa ($20 USD or 700 Thai baht, +$1 extra if you have no passport photo). Cross the border, stamp back out of Cambodia, stamp back into Thailand with your new 14 day visa.
STEP 5) Take the tuk-tuk back to the train station (80 baht)
STEP 6) Take the train (or bus) back to Bangkok. The train leaves at 1.55pm and arrives in at 7.55pm, expect delays! (48 baht)
TOTAL COST: Around 1200 Baht ($40)
Ok guys there’s the rundown. Doing it yourself is definitely cheaper, but if you’re worried about missing trains or budget isn’t an issue then going through a company is certainly a lot more relaxing! Happy travels!
As you know, blogging changed my life. I left Ireland broke, with no plan, with just a one-way ticket to Thailand and no money. Since then, I started a blog, then a digital media company, I’ve made more than $1,500,000 USD, bought 4 properties and visited (almost) every country in the world. And I did it all from my laptop as I travel the world and live my dream.
Yes, the Cambodia boarder is a challenge in itself! We had some troubles with it as well but all in all it was actually worth it 🙂 http://wanderlust.annagaudia.uk/2015/04/08/travelling-in-se-asia-or-how-we-got-from-koh-tao-to-siem-reap/ You can check our Hugely Subjective Flashpacker Guide to Cambodia here: http://wanderlust.annagaudia.uk/2016/03/17/hugely-subjective-flashpacker-guide-cambodia/
Thanks man, this was incredibly helpful, I just called them up and hope to use this service this weekend. I’ll tell you how it went, great article.
thanks stephen, loving your site mate! everyone should check it out!
Wow this is so cool! It’s like your getting so much out of 1900 baht.! I hope that there is offerings like this in my country. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this.. Good job!
yeah, it’s good value and so much less stress but if you’re strapped for cash, public transport is the way to go!
So have you spent one day and 1900 Baht for just 14 days more? I wonder if there are companies that offer the service to do a visa run and organise you a 60 day visa to reenter Thailand?
Cheers, Charles
Nok air has a daily morning flight from BKK to Udon and free shuttle service to Vientiane Laos round trip for 3000 bhat give or take. It’s a 2 – 3 day process with the Thai embassy in Laos, but there’s visa services from locals outside the gate that’s very convenient and a big time safer so you can tour Laos while you wait for your Visa. I think it’s one of the cheapest and easiest way to get a single or dual entry Thai Visa in the world. Have fun and enjoy the sun.
I definitely have to try a visa run to Laos one day. Thanks Nerd Traveler and thanks Johnny for bringing the post.
Cheers, Charles
don’t do it unless you have to Charles, it’s really not that much fun! :S
wow, great info! thanks for this 🙂
you’d have to go and spend at least one night in Vientienne for that Charles, not just a 12 hour trip :S You could take the night train from Bangkok to Laos (one night), apply and wait (one night) take the night bus/train back (one night) – a lot more work!