Getting there and away

Most visitors entering Laos via four international airports in Laos: Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Pakse Airport in Champassak, Luang Prabang International Airport and Savannakhet. Wattay in Vientiane has regular service from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kunming, and Kula Lumpur. Direct flights are available to Luang Prabang from Bangkok, Hanoi and Chiang Mai. Lao Airlines has regular service to all domestic destinations and a number of regional capitals. Major international carriers with flights to Laos are Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways International, Vietnam Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Air Asia.  

• Bangkok Airways – www.bangkokair.com; hub in Bangkok, Thailand; Code PG.
• China Eastern Airlines – www.chinaeastern.com; hub Kunming, China; Code MU.
• Lao Airlines - www.laoairlines.com; hub Vientiane; Code QV.
• Thai Airways International – www.thaiair.com; hub Bangkok, Thailand; Code TG.
• Vietnam Airlines – www.vietnamairlines.com; hub Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Code VN

Laos has land and/or river borders with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Myanmar. Land borders are sometimes remote and the travelling can be tough either side, but the actual crossing itself is usually pretty simple. Generally Laos issues 30-day tourist visas at crossings that are open to foreigners, however there are some border crossings which don’t issue visas on arrival and you will need to have a visa already. 

• Chiang Khong - Huay Xai, Chiang Rai to Bokeo Province.
• Nakaxeng - Kaenthao, Loei to Sayabouly Province.
• Nong Khai - Vientiane (Friendship Bridge), Nong Khai - Vientiane Capital.
• Nakorn Phanom - Thakhaek, Nakorn Phanom - Khammouane Province.
• Mukdahan - Savannakhet, crossing the Mekong River by boat.
• Chong Mek - Vang Tao, Ubon Ratchathani to Champasack Province

Dong Calor - Veun Kham, Cambodia to Champasak Province 

• Nameo - Banleui, Thanh Hoa to Huaphanh Province.
• Namkan - Namkan, Nge An to Xieng Khouang Province.
• Keoneua - Nampao (Lak Sao), Ha tinh to Bolikhamxay Province.
• Laobao - Dansavanh, Quang Tri to Savannakhet Province.
• Phoukeua - Vietnam - Attapeu Province. 

Mohan - Boten, Yunnan to Luang Namtha Province  

Foreigners cannot legally cross the Laos / Myanmar border.