{"id":11213,"date":"2018-01-15T05:31:09","date_gmt":"2018-01-14T22:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asiasafari-laos.com\/laos-a-country-beyond-mainstream-tourism-overview-and-history\/preparing-your-trip-before-traveling-to-laos\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T14:44:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T07:44:41","slug":"preparing-your-trip-before-traveling-to-laos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.asiasafari-laos.com\/en\/laos-a-country-beyond-mainstream-tourism-overview-and-history\/preparing-your-trip-before-traveling-to-laos\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing Your Trip Before Traveling to Laos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing Your Trip to Laos \u2014 Practical Guide by Asia Safari<\/h1>\n

Traveling to Laos is not the same as traveling to Europe. Visa, vaccinations, currency, insurance, ideal period\u2026 There are a few essential points to anticipate in order to travel with peace of mind. The Asia Safari team, based in Vientiane since 2002, provides you with direct, unfiltered advice. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1 \/ When to Travel to Laos?<\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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When to go to Laos? The country’s tropical climate is characterized by monsoons that generate 2 main seasons, with variations depending on whether you are in the plains, in the north, south, or in the mountains.
\nFrom October to May<\/strong>, dry season with pleasant temperatures (20\/30\u00b0C on average) until February. In March, the temperature rises.
\nFrom April to September<\/strong>, green season with beautiful landscapes in August and September, particularly heavy rains in the south of the country accompanied by high heat especially in April and May (30 to 35\u00b0C).<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2 \/ How to Get to Laos?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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There are no direct international flights to Laos. The airports of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse receive flights from all over Asia. One of the most popular air routes from Europe is to fly to Bangkok then Luang Prabang or Vientiane, the main entry points to the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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3 \/ What Are the Visa Requirements for Laos?
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Your passport must be valid 6 months after the return date. A visa is mandatory<\/strong> (except for Swiss citizens traveling less than 15 days), it can be obtained from the Laos embassy in France. For a last-minute departure, it can be obtained at border entry points to Laos or at the airports of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse. No vaccination<\/strong> is mandatory except for yellow fever for travelers coming from infected areas (check requirements).<\/p>\n<\/div>

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4 \/ Laos with Family?
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Children are welcome and accepted with no age limit. Between 5 and 12 years old, they have access to reduced rates if they share their parents’ room. Certain activities will delight young explorers, with elephants (Luang Prabang, Pakbeng), by tuk-tuk, by pirogue, in the waterfalls and Kuang Si falls.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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5 \/ What to Do in Laos?
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Don’t limit yourself to a simple stay in Luang Prabang or a cruise on the upper Mekong. Northern Laos, land of ethnic minorities, offers a complete change of scenery in a region still unaccustomed to foreigners. You can travel on foot, by motorbike, by 4×4, sleep in the beautiful ecolodge of Muang La Lodge<\/a><\/strong> before returning to civilization at the end of a navigation on the Nam Ou, the most beautiful tributary of the Mekong. In season, the south reveals its treasures around Champassak, on the banks of the Mekong or aboard a cruise boat named after the famous temple, the Vat Phou.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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6 \/ Cost of Living in Laos?
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The cost of living in Laos is not very high except for heavily taxed imported products. The cost of accommodation in Laos depends on the climate. Prices are lower in the green season, a favorable season for discovering the mountains of the North (Muang La). The local currency in Laos is the kip<\/strong>, but you can also pay in US dollars. The euro can be easily exchanged in banks in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. International bank cards can be used to withdraw kips, baht, or US dollars at bank counters (very few ATMs).<\/p>\n<\/div>

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BOOKING YOUR TRIP IN 5 STEPS<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>
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1 \/<\/strong><\/span> Send us your request\/message via the contact form<\/a><\/strong> at your disposal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 \/<\/strong><\/span> To clarify your expectations, needs, and get to know you better, an advisor will send you a questionnaire to initiate the exchanges prior to creating your itinerary and quote.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3 \/<\/strong><\/span> Your decision is made, you’re going! A 30% deposit will be requested to confirm your booking. Cancellation terms will be sent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4 \/<\/strong><\/span> A booking update will be communicated to you regularly. At this stage, make sure to book your international flights, obtain a visa, and purchase cancellation\/repatriation insurance.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5 \/<\/strong><\/span> The balance of the trip will be requested 30 days<\/span> before your arrival in Asia. You will then receive your travel documents (vouchers, flight tickets, country information\u2026). Secure payment<\/strong> by bank transfer to our account in Laos.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Flights and Access to Laos<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

As a local inbound travel agency, we handle the booking of domestic and regional flights<\/span>
\nand private ground transportation included in your itinerary.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Air Access to Laos
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International Flights
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Three international airports: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse. Vientiane airport is 15 minutes from the city center, same for Luang Prabang. <\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From France<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Air France, Lao Airlines, Thai Airways International: Paris-Bangkok-Vientiane or Luang Prabang<\/p>\n

\u2013 Vietnam Airlines: Paris-Hanoi-Vientiane or Luang Prabang<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Vietnam<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Hanoi<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Lao Airlines: Hanoi-Vientiane (3 flights per week), Hanoi-Luang Prabang<\/p>\n

\u2013 Vietnam Airlines: Hanoi-Vientiane (7 flights per week)<\/p>\n

Ho Chi Minh<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Vietnam airlines: Ho Chi Minh City-Phnom Penh-Vientiane (daily flights)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Cambodia<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Phnom Penh<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Vietnam Airlines: Phnom Penh-Vientiane (daily flights)<\/p>\n

\u2013 Lao Airlines: Phnom Penh-Pakse-Vientiane (2 flights per week)<\/p>\n

Siem Reap<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Lao Airlines: Siem Reap-Pakse-Vientiane (5 flights per week)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From China<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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\u2013 Lao Airlines and China Eastern Airlines: Kunming-Vientiane (3 flights per week)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Domestic and Regional Flights in Laos
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Airlines: Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, China Eastern Airlines, Lao Airlines, Thai Airways International & Thai Smile, Vietnam Airlines.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Vientiane<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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\u2013 Luang Prabang (3 flights per day)
\n\u2013 Houay Xai (3 flights per week)
\n\u2013 Phonsavan (5 flights per week)
\n\u2013 Sam Neua (3 flights per week)
\n\u2013 Oudomxai (3 flights per week)
\n\u2013 Luang Nam Tha
\n\u2013 Pakse (1 daily flight)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Luang Prabang<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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\u2013 Vientiane (3 flights per day)
\n\u2013 Phonsavan (3 flights per week)
\n\u2013 Luang Nam Tha
\n\u2013 Pakse (2 flights per week)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"Lao<\/span><\/div>
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Land Access and Entry to Laos
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Border Crossings \u2013 Land Access to Laos<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Thailand<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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By river (Mekong):<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Houay Xai border post (Bokeo province)<\/p>\n

Chiang Khong (Thailand, main pier at Tha Bak) \/ Houay Xai
\nTake a long tail boat (on foot) or a car-ferry.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Thakhaek border post (Khammuan province)<\/p>\n

Nakhon Phanom (Thailand) \/ Thakhaek
\nOpening hours: 8am-6pm
\nTake a ferry at the pier<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Savannakhet Laos border post (Savannakhet province)<\/p>\n

Moukdahane (Thailand) \/ Savannakhet
\nTake a ferry at the pier<\/p>\n

By land:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge: Nong Khai (Thailand) \/ Tha Na Leng (20km southeast of Vientiane)
\nOpening hours: 6am-10pm
\nThai-Lao international bus from Nong Khai bus station to Talat Sao in Vientiane.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 2: Moukdahane \/ Savannakhet<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Vang Tao border post (Champasak province)
\nChong Mek (Thailand) \/ Vang Tao
\nOpening hours: 5am-6pm
\nThai-Lao international bus between Ubon Ratchatani and Pakse<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Vietnam<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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\u00b7 Nam Xoi border post (Hua Phan province)
\nNa Maeo (Vietnam) \/ Nam Xoi
\nOpening hours: 7:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-4:30pm
\nMoto taxi between Thran Hoa and Na Maeo then Sawngthaew between Nam Xoi and Sam Neua<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nam Khan border post (Xieng Khuang province)
\nNam Can (Vietnam) \/ Nam Khan
\nBus between Vinh (Vietnam) and Phonsavanh (Laos)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nam Phao border post
\nCau Treo (Vietnam) \/ Nam Phao
\nOpening hours: 7am-6pm
\nBus between Vinh and Lak Sao or Vientiane<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Na Phao border post (Khammuan province)
\nCha Lo (Vietnam) \/ Na Phao
\nOpening hours: 7am-5pm
\nBus between Dong Hoi (Vietnam) and Thakhaek (Laos)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Dansavanh border post (Savannakhet province) > recommended
\nLao Bao (Vietnam) \/ Dansavanh
\nOpening hours: 7am-11am and 1pm-6pm
\nBus between Dong Ha (Vietnam) and Savannakhet<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Bo Y border post (Attapeu province) > to avoid
\nBus between Pleiku (Vietnam) and Attapeu<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Tay Trang border post (Phongsali province) > recently opened<\/p>\n

Bus between Dien Bien Phu (Vietnam) and Muang Khua<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From Cambodia<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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\u00b7 Voen Kham border post (Champasak province)
\nDom Kralor (Cambodia) \/ Voen Kham
\nMinibus or boat between Stung Treng and Voen Kham, or the 4,000 islands<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>From China<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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\u00b7 Boten border post (Luang Nam Tha province)
\nMohan (China) \/ Boten<\/p>\n

Opening hours: 8am-4pm (Lao post), 8am-5pm (Chinese post)<\/p>\n

Bus between Mengla (China) and Luang Nam Tha<\/p>\n

Air access to Laos \u2013 land access to Laos<\/p>\n

International flights to access Laos<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Envie de partir \u00e0 la d\u00e9couverte du Laos<\/a>?<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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