How to travel to Laos & Luang Prabang
How to get to Laos:
Most guests
arrive from Bangkok International Airport and make their way up north to Laos. There
are night buses, airplanes and trains connecting the major cities such as Chiang
Mai (to Enter via Mekong to Laos - Houay Xai), Nong Khai (to enter via Vientiane)
or Ubon Ratchanthani (to enter Laos at Paxe in the south) There are direct flights
from Bangkok. You can go to Laos from Bangkok over land within a day.
Entering Laos from Cambodia
is possible at one entry point in the south
Dong Crorlor in Cambodia. There are Buses connecting Phnom Penh and the border.
Might be hard in rainy season. Also there are Mekong boats going upstream in the
direction of Stung Treng (from here go on with Bus or Pick Up).
Entering Laos from Vietnam
is easy to arrange from major cities in
Vietnam. Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon... You can buy bus tickets in all agencies and
also arrange visas there or on arrival. There are links between Vientiane
and Sam Neua as well as further south at the town of Lak Sao
TO Luang Prabang - Air Travel:
Luang Prabang is linked with major cities from neighboring countries. There are daily connections between:
Luang Prabang - Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Luang Prabang - Bangkok (Thailand) and all further connections
Luang Prabang - Vientiane (up to 4 times a day)
All Airlines Serving Lao Airports:
China Southern
Thai Airways
For cheap onward air travel from Bangkok or Chiang Mai see also www.airasia.com
Over Land Travel to Luang Prabang - from the south You find daily buses from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and even night buses which run overnight with aircon...saving a night in a guesthouse. The ride is scenic and takes about 8-9 hrs.
Also from Vang Vieng you find daily minibuses going up north to Luang Prabang for a few Dollars. Buses need about 6 hrs.
On
the river - from the north of Laos coming from northern Thailand you may
catch buses from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and other cities to get to the border town
of Chiang Khong (Thai side). From here cross the Mekong river to Houay
Xai . Here you find slow boats down stream to Pagbeng and further to
Luang Prabang which takes 2 days (2 x 8 hrs.) Visas are available on the border!
If you have not enough time and can stand some adventure and risk you can get fast boats - speed boats - which will make it in one day! They are supposed to be dangerous but actually it is good fun riding them. Please note that speed boats accidents occur every year!
From all northern Laos Cities there are daily buses to Luang Prabang as well. For example from Luang Namtha , from Udom Xai and so on.
To Vientiane - Air Travel International Airlines link up with Vientiane such as Vietnam Airlines, Bangkok Air, Thai Airways and so on. Please check international connections with your Tour Operator or Agent.
by Train to Laos you can arrive with night trains from Bangkok to the small border town of Nhong Kai . Take a Tuk-Tuk to the border of Thailand and enter Laos. From the border of Laos you find many taxis and Tuk-Tuks who can transfer you into town for a few dollars.