Most travelers to Laos arrive from Bangkok Airport and make their way up north into Laos through Vientiane, Houay Xai or in the South through the area of Pakse. All border crossings allow travelers to enter with visa on arrival. The fees do apply on nationality and cost between 30-45 USD which you need to bring in cash when traveling to Laos.
There are night buses, airplanes and train connections between major cities of South East Asia connecting with Laos, such as Chiang Mai (to Enter via Mekong to Laos – Houay Xai), Nong Khai (to enter via Vientiane) or Ubon Ratchanthani (to enter Laos at Pakse in the south of Laos). Bangkok connects via airplane to Laos into Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Pakse. Cheaper flights may be booked if you fly with low cost airlines into places near the border. Direct flights are normally available from Singapore, Hoh Chi Minh City, Hanoi and from China as well as Bangkok.
Flying…
Flying to Vientiane
International Airlines link up with Vientiane such as Vietnam Airlines, Bangkok Air, Thai Airways, Air Asia and others. Please check international connections with your Tour Operator or Agent at home to get the best flight connection to Laos or Vientiane. Some flights you may be able to book online, but please check recent travel information forums for further details as well.
Flying to Luang Prabang
- Luang Prabang is linked with major cities from neighboring countries. There are daily connections between several places and other flights from to Luang Prabang as well.
- Luang Prabang – Chiang Mai (Thailand)
- Luang Prabang – Bangkok (Thailand) and all further connections
- Luang Prabang – Vientiane (up to 4 times a day)
- Luang Prabang – Hanoi (daily)
- Luang Prabang – Siem Reap / Phnom Penh (few times per week)
Airlines serving in Lao airports
Tips: For cheap onward air travel from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Vientiane as well a a new connection to Kuala Lumpur from Vientiane see also www.airasia.com
Border crossing…
From Cambodia is possible at one entry point in the south Dong Crorlor in Cambodia. There are Buses connecting Phnom Penh and the border. The buses might be tough in rainy season though. Also there are Mekong boats going upstream in the direction of Stung Treng (from here go on with Bus or Pick Up).
From Vietnam is easy to arrange from major cities in Vietnam. Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and other cities provide good bus connections into Laos. You can buy the bus tickets in all agencies and also arrange visas there, or on arrival.
From Bangkok, Thailand can be easily done either by bus or train. The bus tickets are available widely in travel agencies. By train, you can travel with night trains from Bangkok to the small border town of Nhong Kai. Take a Tuk-Tuk to the border of Thailand and enter Laos. From the border of Laos, you will find many taxis and Tuk-Tuks who can transfer you into town for a few dollars.
From Chiang Mai, Thailand, you may catch buses from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and other cities to get to the border town of Chiang Khong (Thai side), from here then cross the Mekong River to Houay Xai. Here you find slow boats downstream to Pagbeng and further to Luang Prabang which takes 2 days (2 x 8 hrs.) Visas are available on the border! If you have not enough time and can stand some adventure and risk you can get fast boats – speed boats – which will make it in one day (7hrs)! They are supposed to be dangerous but actually it is good fun riding them. Please note that speed boats accidents occur every year!
Getting to Luang Prabang…
- From all northern Laos Cities, there are daily buses to Luang Prabang as well, such as from Luang Namtha, from Udom Xai and so on.
- From the south, you can find daily buses from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and even night buses which run overnight with aircon… saving a night in a guest house. The ride is scenic and takes about 8-9 hrs. or much more… Traveling from Pakse you can take super cozy nigh buses with sleeping areas for just about 20 USD up to Vientiane. The night bus Pakse to Vientiane takes also about 8-9 hours. Also from Vang Vieng you find daily mini buses going up north to Luang Prabang and Vientiane for a few Dollars. Buses need about 6 hrs.
