Laos Transportation

Laos Transportation mainly includes two parts, how to get in Laos and How to get around Laos. Laos is a landlocked country with relatively backward infrastructure, despite the increasing number of domestic flights and newly completed roads, it still takes time to get around the various regions. Roads are the main transportation system in Laos.

How to Get in Laos

When you plan to travel to Laos, you can get in mainly by air. But since December 03, 2021, China-Laos Railway had been put into traffic, taking a bullet train from China to Laos is also a good option.

By Air

There are four international airports in Laos, including Vientiane Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse Airport and Savannakhet Airport, serving a large number of flights in/out Laos. International routes include Vientiane - Kunming, Vientiane - Nanning, Vientiane - Guangzhou, Vientiane - Changzhou, Vientiane - Bangkok, Vientiane - Incheon, Vientiane - Hanoi, Vientiane - Ho Chi Minh City, Pakse - Siem Reap, Vientiane - Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane - Singapore, Luang Prabang - Bangkok, Luang Prabang - Jinghong, Luang Prabang - Chengdu, etc.

Main international airports in Laos

IATA ICAO Airport City Note
VTE VLVT Wattay International Airport Vientiane, Laos The largest airport of Laos
LPQ VLLB Luang Prabang International Airport Luang Prabang, Laos The second largest airport in Laos. Every year, the airport welcomes a large number of domestic and international flights.
PKZ VLPS Pakse Airport Champasak Province, Laos The airport is currently serving the main activities of Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway with domestic flights and destinations in Southeast Asia.
ZVK VLSK Savannakhet Airport Savannakhet Province, Laos From Savanakhet, there are some regional flights to Bangkok and Da Nang while it serves domestic flights to Vientiane and Pakse.

China-Laos by air

China Eastern Airlines: Every week, there are flights from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang, with a flight time of 50 minutes. Every day, there are flights from Kunming to Vientiane, about 1 hour and a half. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, there are flights from Naning to Vientiane, about 1.5 hours. Flights from other Chinese airports to Vientiane will need to transfer in Kunming or Nanning.

Laos Airlines: There are flights of Laos airlines from Guangzhou to Vientiane, from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang, and from Kunming to Vientiane every week.

Thailand-Laos by air

Thai International Airlines: there are 2 daily flights to and fro between Vientiane and Bangkok.

Bangkok Airlines: It has flights Bangkok to Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Pakse, also flights from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang.

Laos Airlines: It has flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, and flights from Bangkok to Savannakhet.

Vietnam-Laos by air

Laos Airlines: Flights from Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Vientiane, from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, and from Da Nang to Savannakhet are available. 

Vietnam Airlines: Flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Vientiane, and from Hanoi to Luang Prabang are available.

Cambodia-Laos by air

Laos Airlines has flight from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to Vientiane, and Siem Reap to Pakse.

By Train

On December 03, 2021, China-Laos Railway had been put into use, travelling to Laos by train from China has become reality since then.

More details about trains from China to Laos:

By Road

Travellers can also go to Laos from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia by long-distance bus. Here we mainly involve how to get into Laos from China by road.

Getting into Laos from China

  • Long-distance buses from Kunming: Kunming Railway Station, Coach Passenger Station and Kunming Nanyang Bus Passenger Station have daily buses to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, the whole journey is about 24 hours.
  • Long-distance buses from Xishuangbanna: There are long-distance buses from Xishuangbanna Passenger Transport South Station to Luang Namtha and Oudomxay to Mengla, which take 6 hours and 5 hours respectively.
  • Long-distance buses from Mohan port: Mohan Port is the only land port for China to enter Laos, and the port connecting to Laos is Boten Port. The entry procedures are simple. You can complete the entry procedures with a health certificate on the second floor of the customs with a passport with a visa.

Getting into Laos from Thailand

  • Thailand-Vientiane: Long-distance buses run regularly between Vientiane and Khon Kaen, Korat, Nong Khai and Udon Thani in Thailand via the Friendship Bridge.
  • Thailand-Luang Prabang: Chiang Rai - Houay Xai - Luang Prabang route by coach, which takes 24 hours.

Getting into Laos from Vietnam

There are 7 border crossings between Vietnam and Laos, where tourist visas can be issued for 15-30 days. There are long distance buses from Dien Bien Phu in Northwest Vietnam to Mengkwa in Laos, from Thanh Hoa in Vietnam to Son Nhut in Laos, from Vinh City in Vietnam to Phongsavan in Laos, from Kun Son in Vietnam to Pakse in Laos, etc. It is difficult to find a car to take you into Laos at the border between the two countries.

Getting into Laos from Cambodia

Entering Laos from Cambodia, you can take a coach or mini-bus to and from Pakse and Stung Treng, Kratie and Phnom Penh. It is difficult to find a car to take you into Laos at the border between the two countries.

How to Get Around Laos

Transportation resources in Laos are scarce, and despite the increasing number of domestic flights and newly completed roads, it still takes time to get around the various regions. Roads are the main transportation system in Laos. Luang Prabang and Vientiane downtown, which have a high concentration of attractions, are small enough to be explored on foot, while those a little further away can only be explored by renting a bicycle or taking a Tuktuk. The Mekong River between Luang Prabang in the north and Savannakhet in the south is navigable all year round.

By Air

In Laos, Lao Airlines is the main airline and Vientiane is the main hub for domestic flights, with almost daily round-trip flights between Luang Namtha-Vientiane, Luang Prabang-Vientiane/Pakse, Oudomxay-Vientiane, Pakse-Vientiane/Savannakhet/Luang Prabang), Savannakhet-Vientiane/Pakse, and Xieng Khouang-Vientiane, with prices varying slightly, from USD 100-250 for a one-way ticket. Lao Central Airlines fly mainly between Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Bangkok. Lao Domestic Airlines fly to smaller cities such as Boun Neua Airport in Phongsaly.

Main domestic airports in Laos

IATA ICAO Airport City Note
LXG VLLN Luang Namtha Airport Luang Namtha, Laos Luang Namtha Airport only provides flights to the capital of Laos, Vientiane on Lao Airlines or Lao Skyway.
XKH VLXK Xieng Khouang Airport Phonsavan, Laos There are domestic flights only. Xieng Khouang Airport has non-stop flights scheduled to 2 major destinations of Laos, including Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
PCQ Phongsali Airport Phongsali, Laos Also known as Boun Neua Airport, this airport serves only flights to Vientiane. You can book the flights directly at their offices.
ODY VL0S Oudomxay Airport Muang Xay, Laos Also known as Muang Xay Airport and provides domestic flights to Vientiane only.
NEU VLSN Sam Neua Airport Sam Nuea, Houaphan Province, Laos Also called Nathong Airport, this domestic airport serves flights between Sam Neua and Vientiane.

By Long-distance Bus

Buses are the most convenient means of transportation in Laos. Ordinary buses that run long distances are generally air-conditioned, with seats that are not too narrow, and stop midway. VIP coaches are also operated on some popular routes, with more expensive fares and faster speeds, and can be booked through hotels or inns; there are night buses that save the most time and have comfortable seats, with more expensive fares than ordinary buses, and can be booked through travel agencies. Most of the main roads in Laos are currently improving, while the roads in the northwest are still not good. The main bus stations are Luang Prabang Long Distance Bus Station, Vientiane North Bus Station and Vientiane South Bus Station, etc.

By Song Theaw/Red Car

The Song Theaw/Red Car is also a common small long-distance public transport, the carriage is equipped with two long benches, mostly between the village and the provincial capital.

By Tuktuk

Tuktuks or three-wheeled motorized vehicles are a convenient means of transportation in Laos and even in Southeast Asia. Tuktuks can be seen everywhere outside the scenic spots.

By Ferry

The double-decker slow boat ride between Houayxay and Luang Prabang is the most heavily patronized water travel route in Laos, running daily and inexpensive. Yachts are also available on the Mekong waterway between Houayxay and Vientiane, which are faster and more expensive.

By Taxi

There are cabs in Vientiane, generally for foreign tourists, and the cost can be calculated according to the distance, hour, and can be negotiated. Cabs can be chartered for a day and cost between 35-45 USD. It is difficult to see cabs in other areas.

By Motor

Motorcycle riding is prevalent in Laos, and rental fees are high. There are Chinese made motorcycles and Nissan motorcycles available for rent, usually requiring passport collateral. The price of different types of motorcycles varies, usually ranging from 70,000-80,000 kip. Those without experience are advised not to try. It is best to wear a helmet. You should pay attention to safety while riding, and bear the consequences of any danger.

By Bike

Bicycles are one of the most popular means of transportation and are available for rent at many guest houses and hotels, about 10,000-20,000 kip per day. Mountain bikes with better performance cost twice as much. Mountain biking enthusiasts like to go to the mountainous areas in north Laos, while as a tourist who likes soothing sports, it is suitable to hang around the Mekong River by bike.

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