Udomxai

Air

Lao Airlines fly between Udomxai and Vientiane three times weekly. The flight from Vientiane to Udomxai goes on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:50 and Saturday at 12:50, and Udomxai to Vientiane flies on Tuesday and Thursday at 12:10 and Saturday at 14:10. It takes an hour and a half and costs $90. In Udomxai the Lao Airlines booking office is at the airfield (tel (081) 312 047), otherwise tickets can be bought at any travel agent.

The airport is extremely close to town and the Laos Airlines office is next door. The whole set up is quite 'sleepy' but it the staff are helpful and the flights seem to arrive and depart on time.

Bus

Udomxai is northern Laos' main transport hub -- everyone travelling in the north has to do so via here. Most people don't wish to stick around, preferring to transit straight through. The bus station has afternoon departures to most destinations to facilitate this.

Buses depart regularly, as scheduled, although if there are enough passengers, extra departures may possibly be added on some of the more regular and popular routes, such as to Luang Prabang. Tickets are bought at one of two windows – the left for southern destinations, the right for north. All major destinations are clearly signed in English on the windows, with ticket prices.

Vehicles leave from particular platforms, and while the bus or songthaew may not have its destination marked in English, signs on the pillars in front of each space will keep you informed.

Stalls with snacks line around the perimeter, as well as a woman on the platforms selling delicious Lao coffee.

Sample destinations include:
Luang Prabang: Takes 5 hours and costs 45,000 kip.
Muang Khua: Departs at 08:00, takes 4 hours and costs 28,000 kip.
Pakbeng: Departs at 08:00 and 10:00, takes 4 hours and costs 35,000 kip.
Phongsali: Departs at 08:00, takes 9 hours and costs 60,000 kip.
Vientiane: Departs at 11:00 and 14:00, takes 22 hours and costs 110,000 kip.

A small songthaew stand is also located in the small street between the monument to Kaysone and the bank. From here, there are regular departures between about 6am until 7pm along each of the main roads that lead out of Udomxai. These do not go as far as the public buses, but are handy if you want to get to Muang La or one of the other small local villages. Songthaews depart every few hours, depending on when they're full. You can also rent a tuk tuk from here for the day. Adventuring around Udomxai, including as far as Muang La and Buddha's footprint at Ban Longya, costs about 150,000 kip.