How To Reach Laos
Reaching Laos by Air
Laos has one major international airport at Vientiane, Wattay International Airport. There are not direct flight to the country from USA and Europe. One can get here through direct flight from its neighbouring countries including Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Hanoi and Ho Chih Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok and Chiang Mai (Thailand), Yangon (Myanmar) and Kunming (China). Lao Airlines is the national airlines of Laos. It is important to confirm your reconfirm your flight booking a day before, especially during the festive season or you may just be bumped off. Other international airports in Laos are at Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savannakhet.
Reaching Laos by Rail
There are passenger services available that connects Bangkok and Vientiane. The train from Nong Kai in Thailand over across the Friendship Bridge to reach the international rail terminal at Thanaleng situated 15km from central Vientiane.
Reaching Laos by Road
There are over dozens ways of border crossing to enter Laos by road. Except from Myanmar, one can enter from China, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. At most, of the land crossing, 30-day visas are accessible but make sure to have up-to-date information before travelling. Once reached at border, changing transportation is compulsory. If driving your own vehicle, then there are many formalities, fees and forms to fill out. One can also import the vehicle for the period of their visa.
Reaching Laos by Water
One can reach Laos by water from Thai border via many means. There are speedboat, slow boat or by a deluxe one-day boat that will connect you to Luang Prabang. If travelling at slow boat, the journey takes two days usually with an overnight stay in Pak Beng. Otherwise, there are •luxuryê cruises that also take two days but offer facilities much better than slow boat with higher charges of course. The speedboat starts from Houaixay on the Laos border and reach at Luang Prabang in around six hours.
