Getting to and from Laos

Getting There by Air
The national airline of Laos is Lao Airlines . There are no direct flights from the USA or Europe; flights are mainly via Bangkok, China, Vietnam or Cambodia.

Main Airports
Vientiane (VTE) (Wattay) is 3km (2 miles) from the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis are available. Facilities: Bank/bureaux de change, bars, post office, restaurants and car hire.

Departure Tax
Usually included in the ticket price.

Getting There by Water
It is possible to travel from the Thai border to Luang Prabang by speedboat, slow boat or by a deluxe one-day boat. The slow boat takes about two days and usually involves an overnight stay in Pak Beng. The speedboat goes from Houaixay on the Laos border to Luang Prabang in around six hours.

It may also possible to travel the Cambodian part of the Laos-Cambodia crossing by slow boat or speed boat, instead of by bus or taxi (see Getting There by Road). Visitors should be aware that accidents can and do happen when travelling at high speeds along the unpredictable Mekong River.

Getting There by Rail
There are no railways in Laos, but the Thai system stretches from Bangkok via Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai on the Laos/Thailand border. A bridge links the Lao side of the Mekong, 19km (12 miles) east of Vientiane, although a short stretch of railway is under construction across the Friendship Bridge from Nong Khai.

Getting There by Road
It is possible to enter Laos from Thailand at Nong Khai over the Friendship Bridge. Other border crossings include Chiang Kong (Thailand)-Houaixay (Laos) in the north; Mukdahan (Thailand)-Savannakhet (Laos); Chong Mek (between Pakse and Ubon Ratchathani) and Nakorn Phanom (Thailand)-Tha Kek (Laos).

It is possible to enter Laos by road from Vietnam at several places, though not all can arrange visa on arrival. The most popular route is from Lao Bao in Vietnam to Donsavanh in Laos.. Laos can also be entered from China, from Mengla in Yunnan province to Luang Namtha.

Overland travel to Myanmar is not feasible owing to security risks.

It is possible to enter Laos from Cambodia between Stung Treng (Cambodia) and Don Det (Laos) with some degree of hassle, although this crossing is by no means reliable and it is not possible to get a visa on arrival. Check for the latest information locally.

Vietnam | Laos | Cambodia

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