We are in the stages of planning a 2 month tour of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia

What is the time to travel by road from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and what would be the best route from Luang Prabang to Phonsvan, and then on into Cambodia., would Voen Kham be the better crossing?

You can use the Google Maps calculator to map out most routes and distances throughout the world which also gives you driving directions. Here's the first one you mentioned: http://goo.gl/maps/khqRK

If you switch to view to Satellite, you can also see what the terrain looks like.

To change the route, either drag the purple track, or amend the destinations and then click "Get Directions".

Oops! I used the wrong link giving you directions from Luang Prabang instead of the other way around. You need this link instead: http://goo.gl/maps/rkv4m

Sorry about that.

Oh, and if you want to save a route, click the button which looks like a chain link and then checkmark the top option to give you a short URL. Then copy that.

The reliability of google map estimates for drive times in developing countries is not so good. So use the google estimate as how long it would take if the road was in great condition, there are no slow vehicles, etc. Your actual time may be half again as long as what google says or even more.

You don't want to drive yourself in Laos and Cambodia, indeed, I'm not sure it is legal. In any case you will want to hire a car and driver from a local agency in Laos. I doubt you can be driven across the border into Cambodia. You would need one car and driver to the Cambodia border, then another from the border to your destination.

Check some other websites, like www.talesofasia.com for info on transport in Cambodia and the issues re: border crossings, www.travelfish.org for ground travel in SE Asia and the Lonely Planet's Thorntree.

Note that Malaysia is a developed country, and you will find good roads, but also luxury buses that an easy, comfortable and inexpensive way to travel.

Thanks all, i had alook a google maps, getting used to it, its a bit funny at times.


As for dont want to drive in Laos and Cambodia, that's the all point of the trip, Driving in a Land Rover, we are bringing it over from Australia and doing some touring.

Juddy, you might want to check on whether you will be allowed to bring your own vehicle into the country and drive it while there for each of the countries you plan to visit. I expect it won't be a problem in Thailand or Malaysia, I expect it will be a problem in Cambodia and Laos.

Laos and cambodia are all fine to drive a foreign vehicle, in fact many people do this on a regular basis. I friend of mine recently did the same thing.

Of course you have to have the proper paper work etc, but thats something I am well aware of, and will be fine with.

In fact the country that cause the most problems is Singapore, you need a Carnet there, but the rest you dont, well you do Malaysia if you import your car by boat, if you drive over the boarder from Thailand then you dont.

Good, it sounds like you know all about this.

Have a wonderful trip!

I know some of it but not all of it, just trying to gather info from people on the ground etc, its always helpfull. Are you in Laos Kathie.

Kathie is from the US but loves travelling to S.E. Asia.

Just replied to you other post about accessories. For Land Rover parts and accessories your best bet will be Bangkok - http://www.landroverthailand.com

FYI, there's been an outbreak of diphtheria in Laos which has caused a number of deaths. The disease has also spread to northern Thailand where it was once thought to have been eradicated according to news reports.

Recommended jabs before you arrive in the country are:

DTP which is a combination vaccine providing immunity for 10 years against diphtheria which is a respiratory disease, tetanus and polio.

Twinrix, which provides lifelong immunity against hepatitus 'A' & 'B'.

Both vaccines are given as a course with a one month interval after the first shot followed by a six month interval before the third one.

I've had both myself and there were no side effects other than a stiffness in my upper arm for a couple of weeks.

Here's the news report concerning the diphtheria outbreak: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/asean_ne...s_aec_concerns

This is a Wikipedia article describing diphtheria: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diptheria

Are you driving all the way up from Oz? - e.g. - Are you driving through indonesia?
I'd me most interested in hearing your experiences as I propose to drive the opposite direction.
have driven in Laos a lot - no problems (in terms of bureaucracy etc.), but have yet to get into Cambodia - I hear there is a regulation preventing drivers from taking their cars out of the province of entry?

The road from Vientiane to LP is "variable" - depending on the extent of damage by previous wet season.
I usually stop overnight at Vang Vieng. THe distances aren't that great (about 160 and 230 respectively) but the road surfaces can be anything from asphalt to rubble especially in the second part. I've also had to wait whilst they cleared a landslip a couple of times. Scenery on the second part is great.

Some points:
You can of course bring foreign vehicles into Lao.
Using Google as a guide in Lao is an absolute waste of time. Get a hold of Hobo maps.
You might want to consider driving from Vientiane to Phonsavahn. There is a new road you can take.
I just drove back to Vientiane from Vang Vieng today. The road has been resurfaced and is fine now for 90% of the way.

My google phone app worked well in most places along the route - the the point I could watch myself moving along the route on the map. NOT advisable on a laos road!
For towns and their environs, the Hobo maps are great.

Tho it's only 380km from Vientiane to Luang Prabang you have to be prepared for a 13-15 hour bus trip or there is another way - rent a car. It will get you there in more-less 9 hours, but I don't think it's more safe way. The road is in a horrible condition so the slower you go the better you will handle it

It is not a 13-15 hour bus trip. More like 10. The road is not in horrible condition at all as it has been repaired between Vientiane and Vang Vieng. From Kasi onwards it does get very windy. I don't like driving it myself.

I drove the road from VT to LP about 3 weeks ago and was surprised to find it had asphalt all the way. I've driven this road many times now and this was the best it has ever been. I doubt if it will stay like this though.

Laos has a wider range of imported vehicles than Thailand. I presume this is because they have less protective import duties. For Land rover, try Mega Management, Vientiane who appear to be LR importers. There are several garages/mechanics specialising in LR and other 4x4 in Vientiane