How to Reach Vientiane

GET IN

  • By Air: Wattay International Airport connects Vientiane with Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Seoul, Busan, Singapore etc. and other major cities in Laos. Most nationalities can avail the visa-on-arrival facility for around 40 USD and a passport size photo. You can purchase a taxi coupon inside the terminal building or take a jumbo. Tuk-tuks charge a fortune for the airport so it is best to avoid them. Local buses can be taken from the other end of the airport. Most hotels offer airport pickup.
  • By Rail: There are daily shuttles from Nong Khai railway station in Thailand to Thanaleng Railway station, 13 kilometres away from Vientiane. There are shuttles from this railway station to the morning market in Vientiane.
  • By Road: There are bus services to Vientiane from Nong Khai (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Hanoi (Vietnam). You can drive down the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge from Nong Khai to get to Vientiane.

GET AROUND

  • By Taxi/ Car: Taxis are easily available on the main roads of the city. Be sure to set the fare before the journey. There are many reliable car rental agencies in the city.
  • By Tuk-Tuk/Jumbo: Shared tuk-tuks are the best way to get around the city. Bargain the price beforehand. Most drivers carry a fare-card but these prices are heavily inflated. Reduce them as much as possible before taking the tuk-tuk.
  • By Bus: Blue-and-white buses and white minibuses travel from the suburbs to the centre of the town. there are buses plying from the Wattay International Airport too.
  • By Bicycle: Most hotels can arrange bikes for their guests. Traffic is slow-moving in Vientiane so a bicycle is one of the quickest ways to move around.