Getting Here & Around

Getting Here & Around

By Air: Most of the country's mountainous terrain is impenetrable jungle; the only practical way to tour the country in less than a week is by plane. Bangkok Air has daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang; Thai Air flies to Vientiane; and Lao Airlines runs frequent (and cheap) flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, as well as provincial cities including Pakse and Savannakhet. Daily flights are also available to Vientiane and Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai.

By Boat: Running virtually the entire length of the country, the Mekong River is a natural highway. Because all main cities lie along the Mekong, boats offer an exotic but practical way to travel. The most popular water route is between Huay Xai (on the Thai border) and Luang Prabang. More adventurous travelers can board boats in Huay Xai or Pak Tha to travel up the Nam Tha River to Luang Nam Tha. Two luxury vessels ply the Mekong: the Wat Phu and the LuangSay.

By Bus: A network of bus services covers almost the entire country. Though cheap, bus travel is slow and not as comfortable as in Thailand. VIP buses, which connect Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse, are somewhat more comfortable—they have assigned seats and more legroom, and make fewer stops.

By Car: Although it's possible to enter Laos by car or motorbike and drive around on your own, it's not recommended, as driving conditions are difficult: nearly 90% of the country's 14,000 km (8,700 mi) of roads are unpaved; road signs are often indecipherable; and accidents will invariably be considered your fault. A better alternative is to hire a car and driver for about $50 per day.

By Songthaew and Tuk-Tuk: Tuk-tuks and songthaews cruise the streets and are easy to flag down in most towns. Lao tuk-tuk drivers can be unscrupulous about fares, especially in Luang Prabang. Never get into a tuk-tuk before you've agreed on a fare; don't negotiate in dollars (get a quote in kip or baht); and don't pay more than you would for a comparable ride in Thailand.