Laos Transport

Laos has a very small air travel industry, but things are rapidly growing as more flights service an increasing number of towns across this country. The largest airport is outside of Vientiane, where a number of international flights arrive and depart to regional destinations around Indochina every day.

Laos Airlines is the country’s national carrier and it handles nearly all of domestic flights, as well as a few international flights. There are no direct flights into Laos from Europe or North America, so most Western travellers fly into Bangkok before making a connection to Laos.

There are small airports in Luang Prabang, Pakse, Luang Namtha and a few other tiny towns scattered around Laos. The growing domestic air scene has made travelling around the difficult and expansive terrain of mountainous Laos much easier. Luang Prabang has weekly international connections to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. None of the airports in Laos have anything more than the most basic facilities such as a currency exchange office and perhaps a refreshment stand.

Taxis offer the only way to get from any of the airports in Laos to your hotel, and they are generally reliable and easy to arrange. There is a 100,000 kip departure tax for all international flights which is not included in your ticket price, so be sure to put aside this tax before you depart.

There are only a few land crossings into Laos which are open to tourists. The main crossing is from Thailand into Vientiane, but there are smaller border points in most regions of the country. Border crossings open and close depending on the whims of the government, so check with local travel offices before you make your final plans. Buses and trains will get you to the border from Thailand, which is the most popular route into Laos. Once you cross the Friendship Bridge in Laos, you can then catch a local bus or taxi to your next destination.

There are no trains in Laos, but boats make a great way to get from Thailand to the north of the country. Slow boats run regularly from Chiang Khong in Thailand long the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. This two-day journey is a highlight for many travellers. Speed boats make the journey in half the time, but are noisy and have a questionable safety record.

Laos is not the easiest country to travel around, in part due to its mountainous terrain and lack of decent public transportation. Flying is by far the most convenient yet most expensive way to move between regions, but many travellers choose use the bus system which is incredibly cheap and covers nearly every town in the country.

There are several classes of bus, but don’t try and save a couple of dollars by taking a second class seat; you will regret it. Boats provide a fun means of transport between a few towns such as Luang Prabang and Chiang Khong, Thailand and between Champasak and Si Phan Don in the south of Laos. Things change quickly and often in Laos though, and it’s often best to work your route out along the way.

Once you get to a town, you’ll find that your feet or a bicycle will serve you best for getting around. Even the capital Vientiane is easily walkable, and Luang Prabang is one of the nicest walking and biking towns in Asia. Alternatively, tuk-tuks provides the main form of paid transport in the towns. These sputtering three-wheeled machines are noisy and rickety, but will get you across town in a jiffy. Regular taxis can only be found in the capital.

To explore the countryside in depth, it’s best to hire a car and driver for the day. Driving in Vientiane borders can be dangerous, while country roads are sometimes the site of accidents, landslides and bandits-attacks.