Border Run Service
Chiang Mai <> Chiang Khong <> Huay Xai
(Join-In or Private)

from 6000 THB (PRIVATE)

THE SIMPLEST WAY TO GET TO THE BORDER FROM CHIANG MAI.

JOIN-IN TRIPS to Chiang Kong are suspended – We now travel to Mae Sai border, where border crossing fees are cheaper.
To book a join-in border run with us, please do it from this page:
> MAE SAI BORDER RUN SERVICE

👇BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TRIP TODAY.👇 6000 THB (Minibus + driver + gas included). - Travel by yourself (Maximum 4 people) - Pick up from a single location in Chiang Mai (or close proximity) - 2000THB Deposit required.

PRIVATE BORDER RUN TO CHIANG KHONG:
PRICE: 6000 THB
(MON, TUES, WED, THUR, FRI, SAT, SUN)

*All trips booked? Need to travel on a different date than those available below? Join our standby list by filling out this form.

*All dates are fully booked? Need to travel on a different date than those available above? Join our standby list by filling out this form.

FOR JOIN-IN TRIPS, PLEASE DECIDE ON YOUR PREFERRED PICK-UP LOCATION AND SELECT IT IN YOUR BOOKING FORM.

EXCELLENT Based on 49 reviews
ckfoxxer
ckfoxxer
2023-03-04
I booked with this group as a join-in to make a visa run from Chiang Mai, Thailand to the Laos border. I've never made a visa run before, and was so impressed with this company! They offered a special seat for 100 Baht extra, which I chose to be near the door, in case I felt claustrophobic! This company is top-notch! They sent emails keeping everyone apprised of the upcoming date, what to bring for the 5-hour drive to and from, how many stops they would do, when to pay the driver, when to be at your pick-up spot you had chosen early on. Every part of the way was detailed and laid out, so there were no surprises or unknowns! The driver, Mr. Nong, was so professional and helpful, guiding us where to go once at the Laos border. He was an excellent driver and I felt safe the entire trip, even during the winding curves. I actually dreaded the visa run, but this company made the trip quick and pleasant, and I was dropped off at my pick-up point at 5 pm...much earlier than I expected! I HIGHLY recommend Chiang Mai Visa Run company for your visa runs!!!
Joe D
Joe D
2023-02-26
Great driver and excellent service. They really have the process down. My driver was on time, safe and quick. I am one happy customer. Thank you
carta e Risparmia
carta e Risparmia
2023-01-29
everythink ok I m very very happy for that..i use that service for renew my visa thai...now I know about that and when I need go again i use this company...good office too and driver tanks for all
casa del materasso Viareggio online
casa del materasso Viareggio online
2023-01-29
good service and good trip too everything ok at border good organization
Aaron Timmer
Aaron Timmer
2023-01-14
Top level service. They were very kind to answer all the questions I had, what to expect at the border, and offered plans if things didn't go smoothly. Can recommend!
Anthony Robert
Anthony Robert
2022-12-28
Perfect service and excellent driver. I recommend
Frank Espinola
Frank Espinola
2022-12-14
Excellent service, zero problems. Longest time waiting was the bus to Laos and back because they were waiting for more people (20 min). 10 hours round trip with stops in chiang rai. Good option to reset visa exemption. A+++
Sagi Yardeny
Sagi Yardeny
2022-12-02
Max Odin
Max Odin
2022-11-26
Really nice and relaxing way of doing a visa run.
Vitalii Gorbunov
Vitalii Gorbunov
2022-11-25
Everything is ok

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR SERVICE:

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR

You have an expiring 30-day or 45-day visa exemption/visa waiver stamp in your passport,
OR, you have an expiring single entry 60-Day Tourist Visa
OR, you have an expiring Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.
AND, You have been in Thailand for less than a year.
AND You have done less than two border runs overland this year.
(You can take this trip even if you have extended your current visa for 30 days at the immigration office.)  


Do not overstay and if possible avoid going to the border on the last day of your visa.

If you have a student visa, you must have it cancelled at immigration before going on this trip to the border.

If you have been living in Thailand on a volunteer visa, we do not recommend this trip to you.

If you are Chinese, Burmese, or Indian, we do not recommend crossing the border in Chiang Khong to extend your Thai visa at this time.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

    • A valid passport with at least two completely blank pages. (You should exit and re-enter using the same passport.)
    • Two passport-size photos, 2 x 2 inches (if possible, can also be done at the border).
    • Enough money to pay the Lao visa (+/- 1800 THB or 40 USD – NEW USD BILLS ONLY If payment in USD. Fresh bills of the ATM if paid in THB). Lao immigration seems to prefer payments in THB at this time.
    • Enough money to pay the minibus driver for the trip.
    • You may be asked for documents on the Thai side of the border upon re-entry. Be ready to show any of the following if requested:
      • Onward flight reservation within the period of your allowed extended stay in Thailand.
      • Hotel reservations or proof of address in Thailand ( a TM30 is fine). 
      • Proof of funds: 10000 THB for a single traveller or 20000 THB for a family (in cash – RARELY REQUESTED).

SERVICE DESCRIPTION

    • Same-day roundtrip border run service. We do not go to an embassy. We take our passengers to the border and back in a day.
    • Departure from Chiang Mai.
    • Destination: Huay Xai (Laos) via Chiang Khong border checkpoint.
    • Maximum 8 passengers for Join-In trips.
    • Maximum 4 passengers for private trips.

ADDITIONAL COSTS AND EXCLUSIONS

    • The Lao visa fees and the bus fee to cross the Thai – Lao Friendship Bridge are not included in the price of the ticket. 
      – Lao Visa fees: 40 USD but variable based on nationality. (Can be paid in THB equivalent as well.).
      (If you are a passport holder from Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, or Vietnam, then you do not need to pay a visa-on-arrival fee to enter Laos.)
      – Bus across the bridge: 25 THB.
    • Food and drinks are not included.

YOUR BORDER RUN ITINERARY

Your trip to Huay Xai (Laos) will start early in the morning. 

For Join-in trips, We will pick you up between 6:30 am, and 7:30 am. The minivan will pick you up at the location you choose in the list of available locations in the booking form and on the map above. We only pick up passengers from these 11 locations above. This way, everyone spends less time in the minibus, and the whole trip is faster.

For private trips, the minivan will pick you up at the location of your choice in Chiang Mai (or in close proximity) at 6:30 am.

The trip to and from the border takes on average 5 hours each way for a total of 12hrs, including stops on the way and time at the border.

Your driver will take a short break along the way so all passengers can use the toilets and buy refreshments.

All passengers will pay the driver for their trip at the last quick stop we do at a PTT gas station before arriving at the border.

The minibus will arrive at the Chiang Khong border around noon, where passengers will complete the steps below:
    1. All passengers will exit the minibus in Chiang Khong on the Thai side of the border, and your driver will set a time and place for you to meet him again after you have completed your ‘border run’ for the ride back to Chiang Mai
    2. Passengers buy tickets (25 THB) and board the big bus to cross the bridge and reach the Lao side of the border (Huay Xai).
    3. Passengers obtain a visa on arrival at the Lao border. The visa fees can be paid in THB or USD. Only new bills, no markings, no discolouration. 
      (If possible, bring 2 passport-size photos, to avoid being charged for the service at the border).
    4. Passengers enter Laos, turn around immediately, and return directly to Thailand.
    5. Passengers board the big bus again (25 THB) to return to the Thai side and cross the border back into Thailand.
    6. Passengers cross the Thai border and re-enter Thailand (There is currently nothing to pay upon re-entry)
    7. Passengers board the minibus again for the return trip back to Chiang Mai.
    8. Passengers arrive in Chiang Mai around 7 pm and 8 pm, depending on traffic and weather and are dropped off at the same location where they were picked up in the morning.

The minibus will wait at the border for passengers to return for around 120 minutes which is usually more than enough.

We try to keep the process as short as possible for everyone in order not to delay the return to Chiang Mai. 

Bring some snacks, It’s a long trip, and there are very few food options at the border.

If you are tall or likely to get road sick, consider securing a specific seat on the minibus (+100 THB only on request).

Don’t forget your passport (and departure card if you have one).

We cannot transport large bags and backpacks. The minivan is not equipped to store them. Contact us before booking if you carry a bag larger than 45cm x 30cm x 20cm which would not fit on your lap or below your seat.

No alcohol is allowed on the minibus.

AVOID ISSUES AT THE BORDER

It is your responsibility to make sure your visa/passport and travel documents are compliant with Thai and Lao immigration regulations.

Book early to ensure that you do not risk overstaying passed the expiration date of your current visa (Overstay is fined 500 THB per day by Thai Immigration Police).

We do not offer any warranty regarding the outcome of your border run to Huay Xai. We can offer advice regarding your visa situation in Thailand, but we only provide transportation services from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong. 

EXCELLENT Based on 49 reviews
ckfoxxer
ckfoxxer
2023-03-04
I booked with this group as a join-in to make a visa run from Chiang Mai, Thailand to the Laos border. I've never made a visa run before, and was so impressed with this company! They offered a special seat for 100 Baht extra, which I chose to be near the door, in case I felt claustrophobic! This company is top-notch! They sent emails keeping everyone apprised of the upcoming date, what to bring for the 5-hour drive to and from, how many stops they would do, when to pay the driver, when to be at your pick-up spot you had chosen early on. Every part of the way was detailed and laid out, so there were no surprises or unknowns! The driver, Mr. Nong, was so professional and helpful, guiding us where to go once at the Laos border. He was an excellent driver and I felt safe the entire trip, even during the winding curves. I actually dreaded the visa run, but this company made the trip quick and pleasant, and I was dropped off at my pick-up point at 5 pm...much earlier than I expected! I HIGHLY recommend Chiang Mai Visa Run company for your visa runs!!!
Joe D
Joe D
2023-02-26
Great driver and excellent service. They really have the process down. My driver was on time, safe and quick. I am one happy customer. Thank you
carta e Risparmia
carta e Risparmia
2023-01-29
everythink ok I m very very happy for that..i use that service for renew my visa thai...now I know about that and when I need go again i use this company...good office too and driver tanks for all
casa del materasso Viareggio online
casa del materasso Viareggio online
2023-01-29
good service and good trip too everything ok at border good organization
Aaron Timmer
Aaron Timmer
2023-01-14
Top level service. They were very kind to answer all the questions I had, what to expect at the border, and offered plans if things didn't go smoothly. Can recommend!
Anthony Robert
Anthony Robert
2022-12-28
Perfect service and excellent driver. I recommend
Frank Espinola
Frank Espinola
2022-12-14
Excellent service, zero problems. Longest time waiting was the bus to Laos and back because they were waiting for more people (20 min). 10 hours round trip with stops in chiang rai. Good option to reset visa exemption. A+++
Sagi Yardeny
Sagi Yardeny
2022-12-02
Max Odin
Max Odin
2022-11-26
Really nice and relaxing way of doing a visa run.
Vitalii Gorbunov
Vitalii Gorbunov
2022-11-25
Everything is ok

Join-in trip already fully booked or you would like to travel on a different day than Friday?

Only possible when requested at least 2 days before your planned date. (No Join-trips on Sundays and Mondays.)

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Chiang Mai Visa Run 
682/54 Floor 1, Chang Phueak, 
Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai,
Chiang Mai 50300
Find us on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/cP8EhC4fXniDZGbSA
Call us: +66 93 264 27 26 | Email us: info@chiangmaivisarun.com