Laos Border Crossing Guide

Which border crossing should I use to enter Laos?

This is a key question that is not easy to answer; indeed this entire guide revolves around it. You must decide which crossing fits the logistics of your trip and is less likely to be closed to motorcycle travelers when you get there. Our list of border crossings below and the resources for finding recent reports will help you weigh these considerations. Laos border crossing is inherently unpredictable. The best you can do is make an informed decision and be well prepared for all outcomes. Laos is an adventure!

How long can I stay in Laos?

Both e-Visas and Visas on Arrival give you 30 days, which can be extended to 60 days and sometimes 90 days. As of this writing, Thai-registered vehicles are allowed 15 days in Laos. This can be extended for another 7 days, but only at the same border crossing where the vehicle entered. Since the overstay fine for a bike is only 150 baht per day, simply pay the fine if you want to stay longer. Most riders are exhausted by Laos after a couple of weeks!

Can I ride a motorcycle/scooter with engine size less than 250cc?

The official rule is that Thai-registered motorcycles must have an engine size of 250cc or more to enter Laos. The reality is that smaller bikes are sometimes allowed to enter. Look for the latest reports if you want to try it. On the customs declaration form, select “custom vehicle.”

How should I resist demands for bribes?

Your first line of defense is firmly and politely shutting down any unusual requests. Demands for a bribe often start with an official asking a solo traveler to go to a police office away from the main immigration area. You should ignore this and try to continue with the immigration process. If an officer approaches and asks for a large sum because you don’t have a guide (usually 1000 to 2000 baht), simply refuse and turn away. Likewise if you are told you need to hire a company to handle the import of your motorcycle. This is a bluffing game on both sides. Say that you know the correct procedure and have done it before, even if you haven’t. If you show any sign of hesitation, the pressure intensifies. Your next line of defense is to play for time. Again, projecting quiet confidence is the key. Any sign you are in a hurry hurts your position. Smile and ask to be shown in writing the fee you are supposed to pay. Explain that you want to do everything properly, so you would need an official receipt. If they refuse and still make demands, you can play the language confusion card and draw out the battle further. Losing your temper is unlikely to lead to a good outcome. An officer who loses face in front of his colleagues may drop the demand for a bribe and simply refuse you entry. A last resort is to bargain down the price of the “fee” to a nominal amount.

Should I apply for an e-Visa or get a Visa on Arrival?

The e-Visa costs slightly more, about US$50 versus about US$45 for the visa on arrival. It also requires at least three working days to process, and you have to specify your intended entry point. Some smaller border crossings don’t accept the e-Visa. We like to use the e-Visa if everyone in the group agrees because it speeds up the process at the border.

If I have a DTV visa to stay in Thailand, can I re-enter Thailand on a motorcycle?

It is more challenging, for unknown reasons. As of this writing, DTV visa holders are being required to show the following documentation at land borders: proof of accommodation, a confirmed outbound flight ticket, proof of income and an employment confirmation letter. Do your research on the current situation. You might want to fly into Laos and rent a bike there instead.

Should I use an agent?

In general you don’t need an agent. The agents promise to speed up the process, but in our experience they actually slow things down. But if you are nervous because it is your first time crossing into Laos or there have been reports of problems at your planned crossing, an agent may provide you with peace of mind. Usually the service costs about 2,000 baht. At the agent’s office they will check and prepare your documents and then provide an employee to accompany you through immigration.

What about if I am crossing on a rented or borrowed motorcycle?

You will need to carry power of attorney documents from the owner allowing you to take the motorcycle into Laos. Rider’s Corner charges 750 baht for this document preparation. Renting a motorcycle to take into Laos usually costs more per day and requires a much larger security deposit than renting it for use in Thailand. This is because it is almost impossible to recover a motorcycle from Laos if a renter leaves it there for any reason.

How much time should I expect the border crossing to take?

Two hours is a good rule of thumb, if everything goes smoothly. Starting from Chiang Mai at 8 am sharp, we try to reach the Chiang Khong / Houayxay crossing by 1 pm, cross and find a hotel in Houayxay. Don’t pay for the hotel in advance, in case the crossing goes wrong. While the border is officially open until late at night, the offices you need to process your documents start to wind down after 4 pm. If you reach the border after 3 pm, find a hotel in Chiang Khong and cross the border in the morning. The crossing opens at 6 am.

Documents to bring:

• ✓Passport (with more than 6 months validity remaining)
• ✓Two passport photos if doing visa on arrival
• ✓Multiple printouts of the e-Visa approval if you completed it
• ✓Motorcycle license and International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement (if you have a Thai motorcycle license you don't need the IDP)
• ✓Green Book for your motorcycle
• ✓Thai road tax certificate for your motorcycle and Thai government compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor) (you are probably not going to need these, but bring them to be safe.)
• ✓Photocopies of the motorcycle green book and your passport. Often there is no facility to make copies at the border, so make plenty of copies just in case.

Bring Thai banknotes in all denominations, baht is preferred for the border fees. If you bring other currencies such as U.S. dollars expecting to use them at the border or exchange them in Laos, make sure the banknotes are of the latest design and in pristine condition. Any small tear, ink mark or general wear may make them virtually useless in Laos. Thai money is not held to such an exacting standard, but it should still be clean and in good condition.

Specifying which border crossing you plan to exit from.

At Lao customs you’ll be asked your planned exit border. From our recent experience at Chiang Khong, you can choose “undecided” and exit anywhere. Always confirm with the officer on the day. If you choose one exit crossing and use another, you may be forced to pay a fee of several thousand baht.

What about the process of leaving Laos and re-entering Thailand?

This is usually easier. Hold on to all the documents generated at entry, you will need them when you exit. Bring a waterproof folder to protect them. The Laos officials will guide you through the process, collecting the documents at each stage. As you enter Thailand, officials will collect your temporary export permit and check your bike. Thai immigration is simple, unless you are on a DTV visa.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Fill up with fuel on the Thai side before you cross. Fuel is more expensive and lower quality in Laos.

Buying a Laos mobile phone sim card at the border is easier than trying to find a shop that sells them elsewhere. Ask the people selling the compulsory insurance where to find the telecom shop.

Remember to bring spare parts for your motorcycle. For a Honda CRF we always carry spare inner tubes and the tools needed to change a tube on the side of the road. If you’re not good at this, download some videos and practice before your trip. Always carry a reserve of water mixed with electrolytes. Heat exhaustion is a real danger when you start sweating over a wheel change.

Other essentials to carry: spare air filter, oil filter and gasket, brake/clutch levers, wheel bearings, fork seals, clutch cable. An inner tube patch kit is a good idea, as it is quite possible you will run out of fresh inner tubes. Some parts for a CRF are available in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Make sure your motorcycle is fully serviced before you start the trip. It’s about to ingest lousy fuel, breathe in abrasive dust and take a terrible pounding on Lao roads, give it the best possible chance of survival. Having it repaired in Laos could be a major ordeal.

Fees paid in May 2026 at Chiang Khong / Houayxay crossing

Resources for recent reports of motorcycle travelers crossing into Laos:

• Foreign Motorcycle Riders in Thailand Facebook forum:

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/801382103232850

• Traveling in Laos Facebook forum:

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/690757271489316

• Horizons Unlimited Facebook forum:

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/653585104738096

List of common border crossings:

Chiang Khong / Houayxay (Friendship Bridge 4)

Entry and exit possible

This is the best crossing overall in terms of ease of crossing and predictability. It is also the best entry point for trips from Chiang Mai into northern Laos. That doesn’t mean you won’t run into problems, just that we’ve had good experiences here recently.

Nong Kai / Vientiane (Friendship Bridge 1)

Entry and exit possible

This is a huge crossing that should be the most reliable. However, problems were reported in late 2025, with the Laos authorities demanding that motorcycle travelers hire an expensive agent and wait three days to cross.

Nakhon Phanom / Khammouan (Friendship Bridge 3)

Entry and exit possible

This is a quiet crossing that is perfectly located for riding the Thakhek Loop in central Laos. The worry is whether it is currently open for motorcycle travelers. Try to find recent reports of successful crossings before risking it. The alternative is to go to Nong Kai, but that adds a lot of distance. Another possibility is the new crossing at Bueng Kan, see below.

Bueng Kan / Paksan (Friendship Bridge 5)

Entry and exit possible

This is a new crossing, with the bridge opened in 2025, and the location is intriguing. It is between Nong Kai and Nakhon Phanom, and feeds directly into Highway 13. Whether it will offer a viable alternative to those crossings is still not clear.

Mukdahan / Savannakhet (Friendship Bridge 2)

Entry and exit possible

This is a big crossing often used for for trips into southern Laos such as the Pakse / Bolaven Plateau loop.

Huai Kon (Nan province) / Muang Ngeun

Motorcycle travelers can only exit Laos here, not enter, unless you are a Japanese or Swiss citizen. But it is useful for returning to Chiang Mai from Luang Prabang. Using this sleepy crossing, you can make the whole trip in one day, or you can stop for the night in Nan city and enjoy some of Nan province’s spectacular roads. Construction work suggests this crossing may be upgraded in future.

Phu Doo (Uttaradit province) / Ban Pha Keo

Motorcycle travelers can only exit Laos here, not enter, unless you are a Japanese or Swiss citizen. This is a useful option if you’re exploring from Hongsa through Pak Lay to the Sayaboury area. Have a backup plan in case it is closed, but we have used it recently.

Tha Li (Loei province) / Kaen Thao

Exit only

This crossing could be useful for exiting Laos after exploring even further south in Sayaboury. But it is definitely in the “adventurous” category. Staff may simply tell you they are not equipped to handle foreigners on motorcycles.

Ban Huak (Phayao province) / Pang Mon

Exit only

This crossing is suitable only for trailblazers, not newbies. As with Tha Li, you may be turned away. On the Thai side, it is just 90 minutes drive south of the Chiang Khong / Houayxay crossing. Riding to Houayxay on Lao roads will take about 10 hours. Yikes.

Chong Mek (Ubon Ratchathani province) / Vang Tao

Entry and exit possible

This small crossing is ideally located for doing the Pakse / Bolaven Plateau loop. It is also notable because some travelers report it is easier to enter Laos on a 125cc bike. But other reports say it is often closed to motorcycle travelers. A possible plan is to try this crossing, and if it is closed continue on to the Mukdahan crossing.