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Region: Vientiane And Surrounds> Province: Vientiane> Location: Vientiane

Getting There and Away

Air

Vientiane's Wattay International Airport is three and a half kilometres west of town. There is a US$10 departure tax for international flights and a 5,000 kip departure tax for domestic flights.

There are at least five mainline carriers serving Wattay International Airport, including the national carrier Lao Airlines, AirAsia, THAI, China Eastern and Vietnam Airlines.

International destinations include:
Bangkok (THAI, Lao Airlines)
Chiang Mai (Lao Airlines)
Hanoi (Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines)
Ho Chi Minh City (Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines)
Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia)
Phnom Penh (Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines)
Siem Reap (Lao Airlines)
Kunming (Lao Airlines, China Eastern)

Domestic destinations include Luang Prabang, Pakse, Huay Xai, Udomxai, Luang Nam Tha, and Sayabouri. Flights to smaller places are cancelled if there are not enough passengers.

Lao Airlines Head Office
02 Pangkham Rd, Vientiane
T:(021) 212 050-054;(021) 212 727
F:(021) 212 065
Website: http://www.laoairlines.com

Bus

Three major bus stations serve Vientiane. The Central bus station behind Talat Sao caters to local provincial towns and is the main bus station for all government run services to other destinations in Laos. Tourists are often told to go to the other main bus stations out of town for long distance services, which is definitely the best option, but, if you want to get on a bus here, you can, but be aware that these are the worst buses for long distance journeys. Many services also stop at the other bus stations anyway to pick up. Buses to Nong Khai and Udon Thani in Thailand also leave from here.

The Northern bus station, 2km northwest of the centre (sometimes called the Luang Prabang bus station) is the main departure point for Luang Prabang and buses into China.

VIP services to southern destinations in Laos also depart from the northern bus station, but they also stop at the new Southern bus station, 8km north on Route 13 leading up from the Patuxai monument, and this is now the main departure point for all destinations south of Vientiane. The Southern bus station has regular services to Tha Khaek, Savannakhet, Pakse, Salavan, Sekong and Attapeu, as well as all towns in between.

In addition to the standard non air-con buses there are also much better VIP and Express services which provide more comfort, many running overnight. The southern bus station is also the main departure point for buses into Vietnam, with daily services to Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Hue, Danang, Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. The tables below provide current information on schedules and fares but be aware that these are often changed.

The Sabaidee Bus
The Sabaidee bus is a Thai-style VIP bus running between Vientiane and Bangkok with air-con, toilet, reclining seats and movies screened during the journey. Tickets are available at most guesthouses and travel agents around town. Leaves daily at 17:30 and arrives at Khao San Road at around 05:30.

Bus to Udon Thani
If you're flying out from Thailand's Udon Thani airport, a shuttle bus leaves from the Morning Market (Talaat Sao) that costs 80B for the entire trip. There are at least six departures a day between 07:30 and 16:30.

Private service to Vang Viang
There is also another service that goes to Vang Vieng from the promenade on Fa Ngum Road opposite Joe's guesthouse. It leaves at 10:00 and 14:00 each day, and costs 60,000 kip. Again, most of the guesthouses can provide information on the service.

Friendship Bridge and the crossing into Thailand
Arriving into Laos from Thailand, visas on arrival are issued at the Lao border crossing and are valid for 30 days. The cost is US$30 (or 1,500B so use dollars). One passport photo is required. There are direct bus services between Nong Khai and Vientiane which provide all necessary transportation between the border posts and the town centres, but you can do it yourself if you want. The shuttle bus between the immigration posts is 15B and from the Lao side tuk-tuks into Vientiane cost 25B. There are also taxis and minibus services for 300 and 350B respectively. The bridge is just a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Nong Khai train station, or a quick tuk-tuk ride if you don't fancy carrying your bags.