Airports
The recently modernised Luang Prabang International Airport is
a convenient gateway for those coming from Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam.
Flights connect Luang Prabang with Bangkok and Chiang Mai in
Thailand; Siem Reap in Cambodia; and Hanoi in Vietnam. In
addition, three domestic routes are available to: Phongsaly, Vientiane and Xieng
Khuang.
Airlines operating at the airport include: Bangkok Airways, Siem Reap Airways,
Vietnam Airlines and Lao Airlines, the national airline of
Laos. Visitors should note that heavy cloud coverage in Luang Prabang and other
mountainous regions of Laos is common and flights are frequently
cancelled.
Lao Airlines questionable safety record has steadily improved in recent years,
with the airline now complying with international safety standards.
The single airport terminal has few facilities aside from
basics such as toilets, telephones and transportation into the city. From the
airport, it is a short jumbo (taxi) ride to the centre of Luang Prabang. Taxis
meet each flight arrival. Many hotels are happy to arrange an airport pick up
for guests.
Public Transport
 It is possible to reach Luang Prabang by bus from other towns in Laos, including from the capital Vientiane. Buses are probably the least comfortable way of travelling, with many vehicles being old and susceptible to breaking down. However, many visitors prefer travelling by bus than flying due to safety concerns about domestic flights. It is however a rollercoaster ride from the capital, taking all day.
Another popular way to arrive in Luang Prabang is by slow boat
from Huay Xai, a Laotian border town that sits on the opposite bank of the
Mekong to Chiang Khong in Thailand. The slow boat trip along the Mekong takes
two days and includes an overnight stop at Pakbeng. Speedboats are also
available, but are more prone to accidents. Consider bringing a pair of
earplugs and a rain coat along, if you choose to travel by speedboat.
Once you are in Luang Prabang, getting around is easy but transport can be slow
and unreliable. Boats can be chartered to popular sights along the Mekong, such
as the Pak Ou Caves. Boatmen tend to charge foreigners premium
rates, so it’s worth checking the going price to your destination with your
hotel before setting out.
Jumbos are the local form of taxi. These can be flagged down anywhere, but become tricky to find late at night when the streets become deserted. Agree on a price with the driver before hopping in and take a map with you if you are not sure where you are going. Cycle rickshaws are also available for short trips within the town, but are not suitable for reaching outlying destinations.
 If you prefer to drive yourself, motorbikes are available for rent in Luang Prabang. If you are not used to driving on the right, Luang Prabang may not be the best place to learn, with traffic slow but unpredictable. A better bet for the uninitiated is to rent a bicycle, which are cheap and environmentally friendly. For the most part however, you will find getting around on foot the best way to see Luang Prabang.
| 
