Laos travel guide

Overview

Most first trips follow the Laos-China Railway north from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, about an hour apart on each leg. Give the capital a day for Pha That Luang and Buddha Park, Vang Vieng a day or two for caves and the Nam Song, and Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town, three days for dawn alms, temples and the Kuang Si falls.

The rainy season runs from about May to October and can bring floods and landslides. November to February is drier and can feel cool, especially in the north, and March to May turns hot before the rains return.

When to go

BestGo with a plan

janBestfebBestmarHotaprHotmayRainyjunRainyjulRainyaugRainysepRainyoctRainynovBestdecBest

Lao New Year (Pi Mai) runs from 14 to 16 April with water blessings in every town. Boun Pha That Luang fills Vientiane for several days around the November full moon.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Luang Prabang]

Luang Prabang in 3 daysMorning alms, Wat Xieng Thong, National Museum, Mount Phousi, Night market, Kuang Si Waterfall, Pak Ou Caves, Wat Xieng MenBalanced pace

[Photo: Laos]

Laos in 7 daysPha That Luang, COPE, Buddha Park, Tham Chang, Blue Lagoon, Kaeng Nyui, Wat Xieng Thong, Kuang Si Waterfall, Pak Ou CavesBalanced pace

Where to stay

Luang PrabangThe old town peninsula for first-timers on foot; the Nam Khan side for quieter lanes; around Phousi and TAEC for a central base near the market streets.Best areas to stay in Luang Prabang Hotels in Luang Prabang

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Vang ViengThe town center for restaurants and tuk-tuks; the Nam Song riverbank for cliff views; the countryside west of the river for quiet near the Blue Lagoon.Best areas to stay in Vang Vieng Hotels in Vang Vieng

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VientianeThe riverside old center for first-timers on foot; around Patuxay and Talat Sao for the main avenue and shopping; near Pha That Luang for a quieter base.Best areas to stay in Vientiane Hotels in Vientiane

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Getting around

Trains: The Laos-China Railway links Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang in about an hour per leg; check times in the official LCR Ticket app.
Flights: Lao Airlines flies daily between Luang Prabang and Vientiane in about 45 min, and Luang Prabang airport is 4 km from the old town.
In Luang Prabang: The old town is walkable; shared vans and tuk-tuks reach Kuang Si in 40 to 60 min, and boats go upriver to Pak Ou in about 1.5 hours.
Taxis and tuk-tuks: LOCA is the main ride-hailing app in Laos; for tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis, agree the fare and route before you set off.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Make sure it covers motorbike riding and river activities such as tubing and kayaking.

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Phone dataMobile data keeps the LCR Ticket app, ride-hailing and maps working between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.How a travel eSIM works

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