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

from 1890 THB (Join-In)

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

2 types of trips available:

>>> JOIN-IN TRIPS:
1890 THB (Per person.)
(TRIPS ON: TUES, WED, FRI AND SAT.)
—————————
>>> PRIVATE TRIPS:
6000 THB (Hire the whole bus.) 
(TRIPS EVERYDAY)

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

JOIN-IN TRIPS:
PRICE: 1890 THB (Per person.)
(TRIPS ON: TUES, WED, FRI, SAT.)

PRIVATE TRIPS:
PRICE: 6000 THB
(MON, TUES, WED, THUR, FRI, SAT, SUN)

BOOK YOUR JOIN-IN TRIP TODAY - 1890 THB PER PERSON.
Travel with a group of other people also doing a border run.
All trips fully booked on your preferred date? You can ask us to open a new trip here. If enough people do so, we will add an extra bus on the date.

👇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.

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

Excellent
Based on 62 reviews
Laetitia LEPOIX
Laetitia LEPOIX
2023-09-10
Their attention to detail was evident throughout the trip. The journey was well-executed, with a punctual pickup and a convenient return time. Their informative website simplified border crossing and provided crucial information for a smooth experience.
alice bobin
alice bobin
2023-09-09
If you're in need of a visa run from Chiang Mai, I wholeheartedly recommend this company. They excel in communication and provide a fantastic driver in a comfortable van. Although it does make for a long day with pit stops at gas stations on the way there and back, this company is the one to choose.
bobin claudie
bobin claudie
2023-09-07
Certainly the best visa run service there is here, and I have tried everything. The journey went smoothly, with a particularly good driver, M BO, and reasonable return time. Their website simplified the border-crossing process, providing all necessary information for a trouble- free trip. Really recommended, Thank you to the team
Nono Moleskine
Nono Moleskine
2023-08-18
Extremely attentive to details. The service on the day was flawless, with a pickup in the morning and a convenient return time. The border crossing was seamless and accurate, owing to their regularly updated website that offered additional information. Their website was informative and helpful, clarifying essential details for the journey Arno
robert dusasse
robert dusasse
2023-08-18
Remarkably thorough. On the day of the trip, the service was impeccable. Pickup and return were timely, and the border crossing was smooth, thanks to their up-to-date website. Their website was a valuable resource, clarifying essential details for the journey.
Meg Moolman
Meg Moolman
2023-08-10
I used this Visa Run company twice already and I booked it again just recently. The staff on the phones are very helpful and not to mention the friendly driver who drives very safe for the journey. It is also an affordable price as you would oay a lot more if you took a taxi. I would highly recommend this company!!
Orit Attias
Orit Attias
2023-08-04
Comfortable, easy and safe visa run. Recommend!
Fenry Blenk
Fenry Blenk
2023-07-29
Great service. Very easy to arrange. The minibus is really nice and comfortable. Definitely recommend

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 or Indian on VOA, please contact us before making a reservation.

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 9 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 62 reviews
Laetitia LEPOIX
Laetitia LEPOIX
2023-09-10
Their attention to detail was evident throughout the trip. The journey was well-executed, with a punctual pickup and a convenient return time. Their informative website simplified border crossing and provided crucial information for a smooth experience.
alice bobin
alice bobin
2023-09-09
If you're in need of a visa run from Chiang Mai, I wholeheartedly recommend this company. They excel in communication and provide a fantastic driver in a comfortable van. Although it does make for a long day with pit stops at gas stations on the way there and back, this company is the one to choose.
bobin claudie
bobin claudie
2023-09-07
Certainly the best visa run service there is here, and I have tried everything. The journey went smoothly, with a particularly good driver, M BO, and reasonable return time. Their website simplified the border-crossing process, providing all necessary information for a trouble- free trip. Really recommended, Thank you to the team
Nono Moleskine
Nono Moleskine
2023-08-18
Extremely attentive to details. The service on the day was flawless, with a pickup in the morning and a convenient return time. The border crossing was seamless and accurate, owing to their regularly updated website that offered additional information. Their website was informative and helpful, clarifying essential details for the journey Arno
robert dusasse
robert dusasse
2023-08-18
Remarkably thorough. On the day of the trip, the service was impeccable. Pickup and return were timely, and the border crossing was smooth, thanks to their up-to-date website. Their website was a valuable resource, clarifying essential details for the journey.
Meg Moolman
Meg Moolman
2023-08-10
I used this Visa Run company twice already and I booked it again just recently. The staff on the phones are very helpful and not to mention the friendly driver who drives very safe for the journey. It is also an affordable price as you would oay a lot more if you took a taxi. I would highly recommend this company!!
Orit Attias
Orit Attias
2023-08-04
Comfortable, easy and safe visa run. Recommend!
Fenry Blenk
Fenry Blenk
2023-07-29
Great service. Very easy to arrange. The minibus is really nice and comfortable. Definitely recommend

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