Travel to Laos
Flying to Laos
Most international visitors arrive in Laos by air, with the main gateway being Wattay International Airport (VTE), located about 6km from central Vientiane. The airport handles regular flights from Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and several regional hubs.
Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) also receives direct international flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Siem Reap, making it a convenient entry point for travellers focusing on northern Laos.
Laos' national carrier, Lao Airlines, operates the majority of regional routes, often in cooperation with Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and other regional partners. Both airports are small but efficient, and visas on arrival are available for most nationalities. Domestic connections are straightforward, linking Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and other key destinations.
Flight times:
From London to Vientiane – around 18 hours (including layovers).
Airport guides
Airport Code: VTE. Location: Vientiane International Airport is located 3km (1.8 miles) from Vientiane city, Laos. Money: Currency exchange counters and ATMs can be found at Vientiane International Airport. Read more
Travel by rail
Rail travel to Laos is limited but expanding. The main international connection is the high-speed rail line linking Vientiane with Boten on the Chinese border, part of the larger Laos–China Railway. This route also connects to cities such as Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, significantly reducing travel times and providing a scenic and comfortable alternative to long road journeys.
From Thailand, a short cross-border train from Nong Khai runs to Thanaleng Station, 20km outside Vientiane, where travellers can connect to the domestic network.
Driving to Laos
Laos shares land borders with Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Myanmar, making overland entry straightforward for travellers in Southeast Asia. The most popular crossings are with Thailand, where several bridges span the Mekong River. The First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge near Nong Khai connects directly to Vientiane, while other major entry points include Chiang Khong to Huay Xai in the north and Mukdahan to Savannakhet in the south.
Border formalities are generally efficient, and visas on arrival are issued at most major crossings. Travellers entering from Vietnam will find multiple checkpoints linking to Luang Prabang, Phonsavan and the central provinces, though roads can be winding and travel times long. Entry from Cambodia is possible via the Veun Kham–Dom Kralor crossing, leading into the 4,000 Islands region (Si Phan Don). Travellers should carry sufficient cash, passport photos and visa fees in US dollars when crossing by land.
Getting to Laos by boat
The Mekong River forms much of Laos' western border, and river crossings are possible from Thailand at several points, including Huay Xai, Pakse and Savannakhet. Slow boats and speedboats operate between northern Thailand and Luang Prabang, offering one of the most scenic routes into the country. The two-day slow boat journey from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is especially popular with travellers, passing through tranquil river landscapes and small riverside villages.
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