Wonder how is the transportation in Laos? Getting to find out information about Laos as well as transportation types between destinations in Laos will help you have a complete and meaningful trip!
Traveling to Laos
1. By airplane
Wattay International Airport is the largest airport in Laos, located in the capital Vientiane. There are direct flights from Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon and Vinh. From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Vientiane by air every day, there is only one flight of Vietnam Airlines, transit at Pochentong Airport, Cambodia. Exclusive flight, expensive fare, about $420 per roundtrip ticket. Wattay International Airport is about 4 km from the city center. Choosing the mean of traveling to Laos by plane will save time for travelers.
(Source: The Internet)
2. By bus
If you want to get to Laos overland, you may have another selection by bus. Bus services are available from adjacent countries. These countries are Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, other places, …); China (Kunming); Thailand; Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City).
From Vietnam (Hanoi) to Laos, the fare is from 600.000 VND to 1.000.000 VND.
3. By train
Laos has no railway but there is a railway station in Thanaleng, 4 km north of Thailand border and 20 km east of Vientiane. The station has trains running from Bangkok under the Thai Railway, but no direct route from Bangkok to Vientiane.
Thai railway has plans to expand its service to Vientiane and from the Lao capital to the Chinese border – part of the route from Kunming to Singapore.
Going around Laos
Laos is a developing country with incomplete public transportation and there are not various options. In addition to the mid-range cars of South Korea such as Kia or Hyundai, the streets of Laos are crowed with motorcycles, homemade cars and old passenger cars.
1. By Tuk Tuk
As in Vietnam, travelers rarely see people sitting in a truck or pickup trucks on the road, but in the capital Vientiane, Laos, tourists will often see this scene. When traveling to Laos, visitors will also be impressed with the images of the Tuk Tuk and pickup trucks are very popular on the street. Tuk Tuk is a three-wheel or four wheeled vehicle with cabin. It can carry up to 12 people and this is also the main means of transportation from Vientiane, Luang Prabang to the suburbs.
Visitors can go to the bus station or travel agencies in Vientiane and Luang Prabang to rent a Tuk Tuk for 200.000 kip/a vehicle. Then, you can comfortably visit and experience the suburbs of Laos, about 30-40 km from the city center.
2. By bus
If you want reduce travel expenses, you can take a bus with a ticket price of 50.000 kip per person. Buses in Laos are quite modern, car drivers are extremely friendly, so you will be completely comfortable using this service.
(Source: The Internet)
3. By flight
From the national airport, there are domestic flights to Sayabouti; Pakse; Savanakhet; Houayxai; Luang Prabang; Oudomxai; and Sam Neua. In the peak tourist season, it is relatively difficult to book tickets, so you can book tickets through the travel agencies in Laos.
4. By boat
The Mekong is the most valuable as well as the longest route from Luang Prabang to Savannakhet. While there is a wide range of transportation in Laos, it is a pity if you miss an amazing cruise.
You will have several options to enjoy the exciting experience in Laos. There are several categories of boat, such as: Héua sáh (double-deck slowboats); Héua dooan (express boat); Héua wái (speedboat); Héua hăhng nyáo (longtail boat) and Héua pái (row boat).
From Huay Xai to Luang Prabang; slowboat is the most suitable transportation. The ticket is comparably economical, at about 250.000 Kip or US $30 per person for adventure lasting two days.
Between Huay Xai and Vientiane; héua wái (speedboats) is typical, at the minimum cost is about US $30 per hour.
5. By river taxi
About shorter trip; for instance from Luang Prabang to the Pak Ou Caves, it will be much reasonable to hire a river taxi. The most popular mode of transportation is héua hăhng nyáo (longtail boats). The cost is around US $10 an hour.
Explore more attractions: Golden Buddha (Phu Salao); Li Phi falls; Si Phan Don (4000 Islands); Wat Luang; Champasak Historical Heritage museum; Bolaven Plateau; Wat Phou; Things to do in Pakse
