Chiang Khong To Huay Xai: Border Crossing Tips (2025)

Come learn everything you need to know about the Chiang Khong border crossing from Thailand to Laos, including how to cross from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, what to bring, staying the night, forms of transport, and more!

Now, as with any good backpacking trip, you’ll need to cross the overland border, cause let’s be honest, we are on a budget and a flight is way too expenny!

Well, this is exactly the case when traveling from Thailand to Laos. Luckily, it’s a super popular route from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai. Especially so with the slow boat to Laung Prabang departing from this border town.

However, no doubt, with every border crossing comes a ton of questions.

You want to make sure you are prepared and don’t get turned away. What about the visa process? And how do you even get from Thailand to Laos?

Well, lucky, I am the perfect person to ask since I’ve done this crossing multiple times. Also, I’ve stayed overnight at both Chiang Khong and Huay Xai and explored some of the best things to do in these towns.

So let’s actually get into these details and find out everything you know for a super easy journey.

How To Get Between Chiang Mai & Chiang Khong

It’s pretty likely you will be traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong, since this is the largest nearby city and a major stop on many Thailand itineraries.

You can easily book a minivan at one of the travel agencies or your guesthouse.

Alternatively, you can take the bus. This is a lot roomier than the minivan, though the journey itself will be a bit longer.

The minivan will also likely stop at the White Temple in Chiang Rai, so if this amazing spot is on your bucket list, you should choose this option.

If you want to book a bus, you can do so over on 12Go.Asia.

What To Do In Chiang Khong

Chiang Khong isn’t the largest town to start with. Though, there is enough to keep you entertained for a night or two.

This is especially true if you are just looking for somewhere to relax for a couple of days.

We found a great restaurant called PadThai Baan Yim Restaurant. Everything in the photo below, including the drinks, costs $5.20!

Apart from a casual morning stroll along the riverbank, we basically spent our time enjoying the pool at the literal cheapest resort I have ever stayed at.

Where To Stay In Chiang Khong

We stayed at Namkhong Guesthouse and Resort for two nights. A twin room was only $7.00 per night, which is a crazy $3.50 per person!

There’s a pool to use, it was a bit chilly but it was hot enough we took the plunge.

Honestly, you couldn’t want more with it being surrounded by tropical gardens, and a 7/11 is a 2 minute walk away. I get there is no air conditioning, but for the price, it is such good value for money!

Namkhong Guesthouse and Resort The perfect budget stay, and my #1 choice. Rooms here start from $7.00 per night. BOOK NOW

Fortune Riverview Hotel Chiang Khong A great option for more of a luxe stay. Rooms here start from $45.00 per night. BOOK NOW

Preparing For Chiang Khong Border Crossing

You will need certain things for immigration at the Thai-Laos border crossing for a straightforward experience with no hassles.

Apart from bringing yourself and your baggage, the most important thing is obviously your passport.

Check what type of visa you will need in advance. Many countries allow 30-day visas on arrival.

If you are entering Laos with a visa on arrival, you will need to bring:

• A Passport-Sized Photo
• Your Passport
• USD For The Fee
• A Pen To Fill In The Paperwork.

The amount you will need to pay depends on the country of your passport, and it is cheaper to pay in USD rather than Thai baht or Lao LAK.

Chiang Khong To The Thai Border

No doubt, the easiest way to travel from Chiang Khong to the border is definitely by tuk-tuk.

You don’t need to organize this in advance, as there will be plenty available along the streets.

The cost should be approximately $4.70 / 150 THB. This is what I paid in Thailand and what other travelers generally pay. Yay for not getting absolutely ripped off.

The ride itself to the border is pretty uneventful. You will be taken slightly away from the touristy part where the hotels are, past the local areas with the early morning markets, and eventually up a road that ends at the Thai Immigration building.

The drive itself takes around 20 minutes to arrive at the border.

Getting Through Thai Passport Control

It is a pretty straightforward passing through Thai Passport control.

In my experience, immigration here is pretty quiet, and only a couple of lines are usually open.

I passed through once in the early morning and another within the last hour of the border closing, and both times were quiet, with things being processed super fast.

Crossing The Thai Laos Friendship Bridge

After you’ve passed through Thai Immigration, you will come out to a booth selling bus tickets to cross the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. Because, of course, it can never be easy.

The ticket costs $0.60 / 20 THB, though it can increase if it is a weekend or a public holiday.

Nevertheless, it is still extremely cheap and just has to be budgeted in as an extra cost of crossing the border.

Now, it’s worth knowing the bus only leaves when enough people are waiting around. That means if you plan to arrive early so you have time to catch a slow boat, you will likely be stuck here for a while.

I did this on my first trip from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, and we had to wait an extra 30 minutes.

When there are enough people, the driver will start getting everyone to load their bags underneath the bus, and then you will be allowed to get on board.

It is an easy 5 minute drive across the bridge. There are barely any other vehicles around, so at least you don’t have to worry about traffic!

I have read of travelers refusing to pay this charge and deciding to walk the bridge. Please don’t be this person!

The Thai Laos Friendship Bridge is a no-man’s land between the two countries.

There is no real footpath to follow, and it is actually quite a fair distance to walk under the hot sun. Just pay to take the bus.

Withdrawing Laos LAK

If you require LAK (the local currency in Laos), there is an ATM as soon as you get off the bus at Laos immigration.

The rates here won’t be as good as those in the center of Huay Xai or Luang Prabang, though sometimes you have no other option.

This is especially true if you plan to head straight down to the slow boat pier. There is only one ATM at the pier. But remember, you will need money to pay for the ride there.

Also, it is quite common to be able to pay with Thai Baht in Huay Xai, so if you have a bit extra, you can use it here.

If you don’t have any USD or THB on you, then you will need to get some LAK. This is so you can pay the visa on arrival fee when you’re at the Laos border.

The amount depends on your home country, though it is generally between $30.00 and $45.00. You will need to ask the immigration officers on the day for the exact LAK conversion.

Laos Immigration & Getting A Laos Visa On Arrival

Once you have jumped off the bus and crossed the Friendship Bridge, you’ve made it to Laos immigration. Here is where you can get your visa on arrival.

The visa application forms and the arrival/departure cards are on the tables. Make sure you have your own pen, otherwise, you’ll be stuck being that annoying person asking to borrow one.

Be sure you know your ‘intended address in Laos,’ which you can simply put down as the address of your hostel or guesthouse in Huay Xai, Pakbeng, or even Luang Prabang.

Ideally, it is the next place you will spend the night, though that’s not an official rule.

Once you have filled out your forms, you will need to head over to the big window under the visa on arrival sign. Here you pass the officers your filled-out visa on arrival form, a passport, a passport photo, and the visa fee.

Again, you are best to pay this fee in USD. Though, THB and LAK are accepted.

If you do not have a passport photo, they can take one of you for $1.00.

Once your visa has been processed, you will collect it at the window to the left. If you have successfully received your Laos visa on arrival, you can then head to the immigration officer.

He will inspect the visa, confirm the details are correct, and stamp you into your next country of Laos!

How To Get From The Border To The Town Center Of Huay Xai

Now the border is actually about a 15 minute drive out of the main town center of Huay Xai.

After passing through passport control, you will be greeted with the typical Laos tuk-tuks.

The drivers will approach you, and that is when you can start haggling for a fare. Try for a rate of approximately $1.20 / 25,000 LAK per person.

Be aware that if you arrive early in Laos and are one of the first people to cross the border, there might be quite a wait until the driver finds enough people to fill up the tuk-tuk.

This happened on our first time, and we rushed to catch the slow boat. We ended up finding a driver who would take just us to the slow boat pier for $4.80 / 100,000 LAK.

Things To Do In Huay Xai

Huay Xai is a relatively sleepy town, and it certainly won’t be the main stopping point on your Laos itinerary.

Though if you want to get away from the crowds, just relax, and catch up on sleep for a couple of days, there is no better option.

The Gibbon Experience

The most popular thing to do in Huay Xai is the famous Gibbon Experience. Seriously, it’s a bucketlist activity where you’ll be sleeping in the treetops, ziplining around, and being surrounded by jungle.

Well, that is exactly the Gibbon Experience. It’s pricey, but I have heard nothing but great things about this experience.

Slow Boat To Luang Prabang

The main reason people stay overnight is to catch the 2-day slow boat to Luang Prabang the following morning.

Huay Xai seems to cater to these travelers on this long journey. The guesthouses here are simple and no-frills.

Just an FYI: If you are going on the slow boat, be sure to organize a packed lunch. This needs to be done the previous night because it is IMPOSSIBLE to do it that morning. The restaurants will be too busy preparing food for other travelers.

Wat Chomkao Manylath

For a chill evening, I highly recommend climbing up the 100+ steps to the impressive Wat Chomkao Manylath.

There is a great view from here of the sunset over the Mekong River. Be sure to cover your shoulders and knees so you can walk around the temple as well.

Where To Stay In Huay Xai

The township of Huay Xai is relatively small, so you should have no issues finding a place on the main street.

There are some great guesthouses here that will be able to give you your first taste of Laotian hospitality.

You can even find some hostels that are perfect for budget travelers or those traveling solo. No doubt, you will make some friends who also want to take the slow boat to Luang Prabang.

Crossing The Chiang Khong Huay Xai Border: Wrap Up

For sure, it is pretty damn easy to cross the border from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai. Just keep in mind delays with the bus, and waiting for others to join if you want to take shared transport into town.

Now you should know exactly what to expect, what you need to bring, visa info, and the cash situation, ultimately making it a smooth experience.

Just make sure to read up on common scams in Laos, so you can’t be taken advantage of.