Travelling in Laos

Introduction

Laos, with it's mountainous landscape, poor road infrastructure and isolated towns often involves the longest travel times in the region.

For many, the capital of Vientiane is but a hub before striking north to the stunningly beautiful yet well over touristed Vang Vieng and the romantic northern capita of Luang Prabang -- the town that should be visited without fail.

Further afield, the northern towns of Luang Nam Tha and Muang Sing attract a steady trekking crowd, with the former developing a well-regarded reputation for eco-tourism projects. To the far south of Laos, by the Cambodian frontier lies Si Phan Don (4,000 islands) with Don Dhet and Don Khon being the two most popular spots in this bucolic getaway of islands in the midst of the Mekong River, but bear in mind travelling overland from Luang Prabang to Si Phan Don will take over two days -- illustrating that this is a small, yet slow-to-travel country.

How long a holiday in Laos?

As with Thailand, Laos really requires a minimum of seven days, which would allow a fleeting visit to Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Add another week for Luang Nam Tha and Muang Sing and another week to ten days for the far south of the country. A common route in Laos in to enter at Huay Xai on the northern Thai border and travel by slow boat down to Luang Prabang, from where you then travel south to Vang Vieng and then Vientiane before exiting to Thailand. A bare minimum for a holiday like this would be seven to eight days allowing a couple of days in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.

A few ways to see more in less

Fly, fly, fly
In Laos the flight network is less developed than Thailand, flights less frequent and budget airlines are yet to make an appearance, so speeding up your trip will increase your budget, but if you're short or time and plan to see a lot, then look into flying at least some of the legs.

North or South
Pick the north or the south, leaving the other region for another trip. Some of the best parts of Laos are at the far north and far south -- to see both in a short trip (without flying) makes for a lot of time spent on a bus, when you could be spending more time in the one region. Overall, for first time visitors, the north is more appealing while the far south tends to appeal more with repeat visitors who feel northern Laos has become over-touristed.

Suggested itineraries for Laos

LAOS: Northern explorer -- head for the hills:
This takes you through the popular tourist towns of Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, but also gives you ample time to see some of lesser-visited Laos. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Snapshot -- one week explorer:
The trip that just about anyone who has been to Laos has done at one time or another. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Southern explorer -- experience laid back southern Laos:
Southern Laos sees far few backpackers and independent travellers than the north of the country, so if you're looking for less touristed destinations and a more "authentic" experience, then this trip could be for you. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THE REGION: Southern Laos, Southern Vietnam and Cambodia:
For those set on getting an experience in Laos, Vietnam and Laos, but with only limited time, a trip like this is a good choice, as while you miss the north of both Laos and Vietnam, you save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent getting from A to B ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THE REGION: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam explorer:
This is the big one! Travelling throughout the region, you'll touch on the highlights of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. ... detailed trip plan itinerary