Six daily busses depart to Xieng Khouang from Vientiane Capital’s Northern Bus Terminal. The 10-hour, air-conditioned coach ride costs LAK110,000. You can also catch a ride in minivan at a Vientiane travel agent. Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway offer flights from Vientiane. Scheduled bus and van service is available from Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Pakxan in Bolikhamxay, and Sam Neua in Houaphanh.
You can book tuk tuks and sawng taews (Pickup trucks with benches) at the bus station for sightseeing around Phonsavanh and tackling Xieng Khouang’s one-day tour circuits. Prices are negotiable. Phonsavanh tour agents organize tours and rent bicycles or motorbikes. You can also hire a car, 4WD truck, and van with driver. Public busses and sawng taews travel between districts.
Most accommodation in Xieng Khouang is in Phonsavanh and nearby jar sites. District centres have rooms in varying categories, as do some attractions. The province offers more than 100 budget (LAK60,000-80,000), mid-range (LAK125,000-250,000), and high-end (LAK250,000-400,000) accommodation with a range of amenities.
Xieng Khouang offers more than 70 restaurants, with most serving local dishes including sticky rice, fish, buffalo and cow meat, pork, poultry and herbs and vegetables. Some Phonsavanh restaurants feature Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, and Chinese food. A few places serve vegetarian and western dishes. Many Lao dishes come with jaew, a spicy dip.
