Your Essential Laos Travel Guide and Tips
Landlocked between Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia lies a hidden gem awaiting your discovery. It is often mistakenly overshadowed by its more well-known neighbors, but Laos is by far one of my favorite countries in Southeast Asia, offering rich culture, history, and natural beauty that is simply unmatched. From secret turquoise lagoons and massive limestone mountains to unexplored karsts and the majestic Mekong River, Laos offers an incredible landscape to take in.
For those planning a trip to Laos, keep reading for a detailed travel guide filled with all the tips and information you need for a successful journey.
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling please :)
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Laos Travel Guide & Tips
Visa:
Tourist visas are required in Laos. Tourist visas on arrival are available at some ports of entry and allow 30 days in Laos. You can extend the visa for up to an additional 60 days through the Department of Immigration in Vientiane. The VOA line can be quite long and is an additional line you have to stand in before heading to border control.
I suggest purchasing your eVisa here instead, which is available for entry into most ports of Laos. This way, you can skip the VOA line and head straight to border control. The eVisa costs $50 USD and permits a 30-day stay, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days through the Department of Immigration in Vientiane.
Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry and at least two blank visa pages. Make sure to receive an entry and exit stamp within your authorized period of stay to avoid penalties. See laoevisa.gov.la for more information.
Official Currency:
Laos Kip
Important Note: The Laos Kip has devalued over the past few years due to inflation and economic decline. Therefore, any travel posts dated before 2023 may be difficult to reference for accurate costs. All Laos posts on Girl Gone Coconuts reflect 2024 costs.
Official Language:
Lao (Many people know English well for communication with tourists.)
Best Time to Visit:
November - March
Rainy season: May - September
Dry season: November - April
Burning season: March - April
Best Places to Visit:
Vientiane
Vang Vieng
Luang Prabang
Pakse (I have never been myself but have heard amazing things)
How Many Days Do I Need:
This all depends on your travel type and speed. Below are my suggestions for the time to spend in each place, although you can always add more days for places you feel more drawn to:
Vientiane: 1-2 Days
Vang Vieng: 2-3 Days
Note: This was one of my favorite places in Asia, and I happily spent around 4 days here and was still sad to be leaving.
Luang Prabang: 2-3 Days
The Best Travel Itinerary:
Vientiane → Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang → Pakse (or reverse)
How to Get to Laos:
Flying: You can fly right into Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ), located around 4 km from the historical city center of Luang Prabang. Vientiane has Wattay International Airport (VTE), which is around 3 km from its city center, and Pakse has an international airport (PKZ) too.
Slow Boat: (Chiang Mai/Rai, Thailand to Luang Prabang) The slow boat trip takes around 3 days and docks in Luang Prabang. You travel by boat for 12+ hours each day and make two overnight stops in Huay Xai, Chiang Khong, or Pak Beng. I have not done this myself.
Bus / Shared Minivan: You can also book one of these options depending on where you are coming from (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam). This is, of course, a much longer form of travel but can be great for those on a backpacker budget. For more information on these, I recommend searching online based on your origin. 12GoAsia is always great to find specific companies running each or check with your hotel/hostel.
Getting in Between Places in Laos:
Train: Already in Laos? The Laos-China railway is an excellent option for simple travel throughout Laos and was my mode of transport between places. For more information on schedules and pricing click here!
Other Options: Taxi, Shared Van, or Bus. Check your hotel or hostel for more information on these.
Mode of Transport in Each Place:
Motorbike: Rentals available. Prices vary depending on location.
Taxi / Tuk-tuk: The more expensive form of transportation in Laos.
Bicycle: Rentals are available and some accommodations offer free bicycle usage with your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laos Safe?
Is it Safe?:
I would say yes, Laos is extremely safe, and I never felt hesitant or unsafe while I was there. I was with my boyfriend and was not traveling alone.
How to Stay Safe?:
Follow common-knowledge travel safety guidelines. Always check vaccination requirements and advisories, and practice food and water cleanliness/safety. Like all places, watch out for travel scams and know how much things should cost.
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Numbers: Fire: 190 | Police: 191 | Ambulance: 195
Note: There are large amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos left over from the Indochina War. UXO is found in some parts of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces. In particular, UXO is found along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Salavan). Never pick up unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths. Head here for more info.
Where to Stay?
Vientiane: I recommend staying in Watchan, Ban Haysoke, or Ban Anou. Each of these areas is centrally located, making it easy to access food, hotels, and all of the top places to explore.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Dream Home Hostel
Best Low-Budget: Sinakhone Vientiane Hotel
Best Mid-Budget: New Champa Boutique Hotel or Chanthapanya Hotel
Best Luxury: Lao Poet Hotel
Vang Vieng: The downtown area of Vang Vieng is quite small so staying anywhere on either side of the river is fine. I loved where I stayed: Downtown Vang Vieng Hotel.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Downtown Vang Vieng Hotel
Best Low-Budget: Confetti Garden Resort
Best Mid-Budget: Sansan Resort
Best Luxury: Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng
Luang Prabang: If you plan on walking everywhere I recommend staying in or near the historic district. There are some lovely options available along the Nam Khan River as well. Being short on time, the closer you are to the historical center, the better.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Chitlatda Bila House
Best Low-Budget: Luang Prabang Villa Sirikili River View
Best Mid-Budget: Chaluenxay Boutique Hotel
Best Luxury: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang - MGallery Hotel Collection
Top Things to See? Click each location below to find out!
Are there Vegan Food Options?
Yes, there are many vegan options throughout the country!
