Getting Around Laos
Some say, “Getting there is half the fun.” Laos proves it! Enjoy the experience hopping from place to place.
Getting To Lao Provinces
Traveling between provinces and exploring them requires knowing how to get around. And it’s quite easy to get to your destination. Domestic flights, VIP coaches, and cruise boats provide comfort. You can rent a car with a driver or take the bus.
Northern Laos
Phongsaly: Access keeps getting easier to Laos’ northernmost frontier. Lao Skyway offers four flights a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at 13:00 from Vientiane to Phongsaly Province (Boun Neua District Airport). The trip takes 1-hour, 40-minutes. Phongsaly can be reached by bus from the Northern…Read more.
Luang Namtha: Travel to Nature’s Playground by plane, bus, and even riverboat. Lao Airlines offers daily flights from Vientiane to Luang Namtha at 14:30 for the 1-hour flight, and Lao Skyway offers daily flights at 14:50. A bus departs daily from Vientiane Capital’s Northern Bus Terminal for Luang Namtha in the morning…Read more.
Luang Prabang: You can easily reach Luang Prabang by air, road, or boat from several domestic and regional cities. A growing number of airlines have direct flights to Luang Prabang from Southeast Asian hubs including Bangkok, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. North Asia also launches direct flights from Seoul…Read more.
Houaphanh: You’re just an hour-long flight away from the Birthplace of Lao PDR.Lao Skyway offers six flights a week (Monday-Saturday) to Xam Neua, departing between 09:00 and 09:30, and arrives about an hour later. Check their latest timetable. Three local busses leave from Vientiane Capital’s Northern Bus Terminal at 07:00…Read more.
Oudomxay: Jump right in to the Heart of Northern Laos by air, short bus rides, or Mekong riverboat. Lao Skyway offers flights from Vientiane every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12:00 for the hour-long flight to Muang Xay. Lao Airlines has daily flights departing Vientiane at 11:40 for a 50-minute flight…Read more.
Xieng Khouang: Fly or drive to the Plain of Jars. Three daily busses depart to Phonsavanh from Vientiane Capital’s Northern Bus Terminal from 07:00-10:30. Three late busses leave between 04:30- 20:00. The 400-km, air-conditioned coach ride takes about 10 hours and costs LAK110,000. You can also book a minivan…Read more.
Xaysomboun: If getting there is half the fun, you’ll have a blast. There are no flights or public transportation directly to Xaysomboun. However, roads enter the province from Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng, Xieng Khouang, and Bolikhamxay, and a series of rides in sawng taews (Pickup trucks with benches) can get you there…Read more.
Bokeo: It keeps getting easier to access Bokeo’s capital, Houay Xay. Lao Skyway operates six weekly flights from Vientiane. The new 60-seat turboprops depart Vientiane at 08:30 every day for the 1-hour scenic flight. Lao Airlines occasionally operates the route, depending on demand. Be sure to book early and be…Read more.
Sayabouly: You can catch overland transportation to the province from several Lao destinations as well as Thailand. Mekong riverboats also cruise to a few Sayabouly landings. Local busses depart Vientiane for Sayabouly Town via Paklay at 08:00 and 09:00 (LAK90,000-110,000), and VIP sleeper busses leave the capital…Read more.
Central Laos
Vientiane Province: Busses and vans are your best bet for getting to Vang Vieng and the Nam Ngum area. Public and VIP busses to towns in the province depart from the capital’s Central Bus Station behind the Morning Market. Busses leave on the hour for Vang Vieng (LAK40,000) and Thalat/Nam Ngum (LAK15,000). A daily bus departs for Kasi at 08:30 for LAK50,000…Read more.
Vientiane Capital: Vientiane is the main gateway to the country, with most travellers entering and exiting the country through the capital. The number of flights and airlines landing at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport continues to increase, and they are arriving from more destinations including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore…Read more.
Bolikhamxay: Taking a bus or sawng taew (Pickup trucks with benches) is the only way to get to Bolikhamxay, whether from neighbouring Vientiane or other provincial centres. Local, VIP, and express busses, as well as sawng taews depart from Vientiane Capital’s Southern Bus Terminal, for Pakxan…Read more.
Khammouane: From Vientiane to Southern Laos, you’ll find a bus to Khammouane. And Thakaek is just a bridge away from Thailand. From Vientiane Capital’s Southern Bus Terminal, VIP (LAK80,000) and Express (LAK 70,000) coaches depart for Thakaek at 04: 00, 05:00, 06:00, 12:00, 13:00, and…Read more.
Savannakhet: You can fly or bus from Vientiane, Pakse, and even Thailand. Transportation to Savannakhet is easy to find in Central and Southern Lao Provinces. Lao Airlines offers 5 weekly flights – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – to Savannakhet International Airport departing…Read more.
Southern Laos
Salavan: As Salavan has no active airport, most visitors arrive via Pakse, about 115 km away. Lao Airlines offers 14 direct weekly flights to Pakse International Airport departing Vientiane at 07:10, 7:50, 8:10, and 10:30, depending on the day, for the 75-minute trip. The carrier also offers a daily direct flight from Luang Prabang departing at 10:40 and arriving at 12:20…Read more.
Sekong: Though rather remote and without an airport, Sekong can be reached by bus from Vientiane and Central Laos. You can find more options in Southern Laos. Pakse, about 140 km away, is the most popular gateway to Sekong, as its airport welcomes domestic and international flights. The regional hub can also be reached by bus from Thailand’s Ubon…Read more.
Champasak: You’ll find plenty of ways to reach this growing Southern Lao travel hub. Lao Skyway offers direct daily flights departing from Vientiane at 14:50 and arriving at 16:20. Lao Airlines offers 14 direct weekly flights to Pakse International Airport departing Vientiane at 07:10, 7:50, 8:10, and 10:30, depending on the day, for the 75-minute trip. The carrier offers a daily direct flight from Luang Prabang…Read more.
Attapeu: Getting to Attapeu becomes easier every year, and a new airport aims to welcome flights. Until the Attapeu Airport kicks in, you’ll have to fly to Pakse and head overland. Lao Airlines offers 14 direct weekly flights to Pakse International Airport departing Vientiane at 07:10, 7:50, 8:10, and 10:30, depending on the day, for the 75-minute trip. The carrier also…Read more.
