No crossing of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge would be complete without a stop at the Thanaleng Train Station. In fact, it’s mandatory. Here you will encounter fine socialist bureaucracy, a waiting room that has been closed for years, and a toilet. Bring a black or blue pen, and US dollars. Maybe toilet paper and soap, depending on your plans and how long you wish to stay. Make sure the money is crisp and new. Bills with tears or ink marks are summarily rejected. (The Lao money looks like it has lived under a bridge for a year, but yours must be new.) Thai Bhat are also accepted, but the exchange rate for USD is much better. (Thai money generally looks like it has been under a bridge and slept on by incontinent feral cats for a year. Good luck with that.) Passport photos are no longer needed. No need to rush for position in line. Locals use window 2. Foreigners use window 1. All passports and non-crumpled currency are collected and batch processed. Just get to know your fellow travelers and have fun with it. You will get a gorgeous full page visa in your passport, then are left to your own arrangements. Hopefully you did this ahead. There are goats. See more..
