Laos Transportation

  Hot Bicycle tour around Vientiane
by Liatris1
 
  • Hot Bicycle tour around Vientiane
      Hot Bicycle tour around Vientiane
    by Liatris1
  • LONG DISTANCE BUS SERVICE TO VANG VIENG
      LONG DISTANCE BUS SERVICE TO VANG VIENG
    by DennyP
  • BUS STOPOVER FOR MEAL BREAK TO VANG VIENG
      BUS STOPOVER FOR MEAL BREAK TO VANG...
    by DennyP
  • BUS STATION DROP OFF.. LUANGPRABANG
      BUS STATION DROP OFF.. LUANGPRABANG
    by DennyP
  • THE MIGHTY MEKONG..LUANGPRABANG
      THE MIGHTY MEKONG..LUANGPRABANG
    by DennyP
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Luang Prabang to Vieng Vang

by LakeFever

Leaving LP. Buy you ticket from an agent. We paid $100000 kip each (10 usd) and went on our way in a taxi to the mini bus station and the on to VV via 6 people sorted in the van and a driver intent on both following the rules and pushing the time limits. There were 2 stops along the way for food, smoke, walk or washroom (note:always costs twenty cents or so.). All in all 3 hrs or so and youre in V V pretty much in the heart of guest houses, lodges, restaurants, and the river. Walking for a place to stay is quite easy but they can book up a bit. Cross your fingers during the high season. I figured there were even better places out of town, although I cant imagine a much better place to stay that the 3rd floor of the V V Orchid. 3 Nights turned into 4 and then 5 .....it was a way to widdle away the afternoons with amazing views, interesting coming and going and staying of people, and of...

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From Thailand to Luang Prabang, along the Mekong

by LakeFever

The slow boat from Thailand to Luang Prabang is an interesting one. We had heard different reviews on the 2 day journey in our previous weeks and while in Chaing Rai we booked the journey - via tour operator - for about 1100Baht ea.The journey involved a mini van from Rai to the border....customs, small boat across the river to Laos, taxi down river about 5 miuntes and then the upsell.Upon arrival, with prebooked tickets in hand, we were greeted by a gentleman who was in charge of departing on the river. Was a bit of a formality where they take your passport and run it, try and sell you pop and drinks (cheaper than on the boat) and the upgrade on a speed boat or private slowboat up river to save time. We were told the boat was packed and it was going to be uncomfortable. Long story short, we went with our prepaid ticket. Well the boat was packed and difficult to adjust to. There were...

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Vientiane-Siem Reap by land/boat

by zeke7

[Note: overly restrictive menu options means this tip is woefully miscategorized!]Since there is no train between the two points [Vientiane & Siem Reap) (except if crossing temporarily into Thailand), I'd have to guess the bus is a better option :-). Assuming time is not an issue for you? If busing all the way down to the Lao-Cambo border at Si Phan Don, I think there's now bus connections running from the Cambodia border all the way (as opposed to the former jetboat-only option from the border to Stung Treng, + other optional boats to Kampong Chnaang for the cutoff to Siem Reap). Get your Cambo visa while in Vientiane, and let us know how much they ask for it (supposed to be US$20, but many border stations and their Bangkok embassy itself ask for 1000 baht).Try reading the travel connections pages on travelfish.org and talesofasia.com for up-to-date details on these connections. The...

van or vip bus?

by boasnovas

When deciding whether to travel in between Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane by van (which are more expensive) or vip bus, choose the last one which is way more confortable than the van´s sardine cans.

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Slow Boat down the Mekong

by glasstech

June 26th '06 we transfered to Chiang Khong on the Thai/Laos border where we crossed over to Laos on a small shuttle boat. We met our guide Sham-poo who expedited our passport control then took us down to our own slow boat. We had no idea what to expect but were very surprised to see our boat. The lady owner with her daughter, her mother, the captain, boat boy and the three of us. Looking at the other slow boats that were moored along side, they were packed with local traffic, back packers galore and more. Our covered slow boat had comfy chairs;airline style; tables and chairs for meals, beer and water coolers, and a bathroom. Our hotel had provided us with a great picnic for the 1st day of smoked salmon, garlic breads, tempura, breads, juices, water and fresh chocolate brownies.To Pakbeng we glided down the Mekong through mountain scenery with several stops at local villages with...

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Border Land Laos Cambodia

by aisafatima

I like to share some conclusions about the borderland to Cambodia in Laos. The possibility to get a Visa on arrival is much spoken in forums. All guide books have very old or not accurate information about this.I have collected a lot of information to do a diagram about the adventurous crossing to Cambodia. For me it was important to understand how and where things are in this place. Sorry some notes are in spanish. Please let me know any mistake I have.I can confirm is possible to cross the border and is the best way to visit Cambodia from the 4.000 islands, Siphandon.

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book seats on boat luang prabang to thai border

by mel54

We have recently come back from Laos and took the 2 day ferry trip from Luang Prabang to the Thai border, stopping overnight in Pak Beng. The first day we got to the boat on time but alas found ourselves stuck for a whole day on really hard, uncomfortable, small chairs. Some smarter folk and a tour group had prebooked the much more comfortable airline type seats which were limited in number. Needless to say, that evening in Pak Beng we asked at the booking office near the landing if we could book the comfortable seats for the next day and no problem at all. The next day we arrived with our names on 2 really comfortable seats and it made all the difference to our comfort and enjoyment. The boat trip is long but really worth the experience, especially if you get those comfy seats...so pre book them if possible or arrive super early!

The Friendship Bridge back to Thailand

by calcaf38

Whereas I entered Laos at a casual crossing point, I exited through the main gate: the Friendship Bridge near Vientiane.On the drive from Vientiane to the bridge, I saw rather miserable slums for the first time in my trip through Laos.Pedestrians cross the bridge on buses. It's all a bit bureaucratic. Be sure to have some money for the exit fees, and everything else in good order.On the Thai side, it is a ratyer bland drive to the nearest airport, Udon Thani. You might as well be in a suburb of Raleigh-Durham.

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Vientiane -Vang Vieng-Vientiane

by ytanay

I joined Green Discovery for their Nam Lik Kayaking trip. For this trip, you can opt to start from Vientiane or Vang Vieng and you can choose to be dropped of at either places. I started from Vientiane and was dropped off at Vang Vieng. From Vientiane, we were transported by tuk tuk to the river. The ride was about 1.5hours and from the river to Vang Vieng, it was another 2 hours.From Vang Vieng, i took a minivan back to Vientiane. Ticket bought from Green Discovery too. Price was USD7. Journey took about 3 hours, with one short stop for toilet. It cost USD6 if you take a VIP bus and the ride time is the same but i guess it's more comfortable in the minivan.

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From Huay Xai

by ytanay

Most people cross over from Thailand to Huay Xai and then take a slow boat down to Luang Prabang. The journey takes 2 days with an overnight stop in Pak Beng. They now have flights from Huay Xai to Pak Beng.It's also possible to take a bus from Huay Xai to Luang prabang (130,000 Kip), Oudomxay (100,000Kip), Luang Namtha (60,000Kip) and Vientiane (170,000Kip).

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Top 3 Hotels in Laos

La Residence Phou Vao  Luang Prabang

 4 Reviews and 281 Opinions  TOUGH MANAGEMENT While this facility may be nice, I know the management is tough and does not have... 

 Hotels in Luang Prabang

Settha Palace Hotel  Vientiane

 5 Reviews and 132 Opinions  Settha Palace is a small luxury family owned hotel.It has its importance as a historical example of... 

 Hotels in Vientiane

Questions and Answers

trusmibatik profile photo

Q:  do any VT have any experience with the VIP overnight sleeper bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang??? is it reasonably... 

singnomore profile photo

A: I took the VIP bus from Luang Prabang to Vientienne in 2010. There is a toilet on the bus. I was on the upper deck and the airconditioner was very weak. So it was a VHB... 

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