Laos travel guide

Find out what to see and do when travelling or backpacking around Laos.

Laos highlights

	Destination	Make a reservation
	Luang Prabang With its brew of gleaming temple roofs, crumbling French provincial architecture and multiethnic inhabitants, Luang Prabang is a must-see for any visit to Laos.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Vientiane Laos' capital city certainly doesn't feel like any other in Asia, rather like a large town. This is the place to see Laos' most important national symbol Pha Tat Luan.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Vang Vieng Vang Vieng is a great place to visit for a few days. The scenery is absolutely stunning and there are plenty of activities on offer such as tubing, kayaking and rock climbing.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars Phonsovan and the nearby Plain of Jars is well worth a look during your time in Laos. The 2000 year old jars set amongst the rice paddies are wonderfully mysterious, while the town of Phonsovan is surrounded by beautiful scenery and emanates a bucolic charm.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Luang Namtha Luang Nam Tha itself is a quiet, ordered town filled with quietly humming businesses and residences. You can easily take a trek into the Nam Ha NPA to explore a patchwork of rich rice paddies and ethnically diverse villages.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Boloven plateau The Boloven Plateau is famous for its cool climate, dramatic waterfalls, fertile soil and minority villages.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Sipandone (4000 islands) One of the best rural destinations in the south. During the dry season, when water-levels have slowly dropped, many of the islands emerge from the river and approximately 4000 islands are created.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Sam Neua A bit of a frontier town, you'll probably stay in Sam Neaua if you're planning to travel to or from Vietnam. You can also visit the nearby caves at Viengxai.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours

Main travellers routes

• As there are no direct flights from the UK to Laos most travellers enter Laos overland at one of the borders with Thailand.
• Many prefer to start in Vientiane of Luang Prabang before heading south and onto Cambodia or east and into Vietnam.
• Transport across Laos is not particularly well developed. There are no trains so the large distances must be covered by internal flights or buses. Shorter routes are almost always covered by bus and the roads are very windy, meaning that a route that doesn't look too far on a map may take a full day.
• Rural areas can be more difficult to get to, and take a lot of time, so most travellers prefer to stay around the northern towns of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vang Vieng. However, if you're feeling adventurous your explorations will be well rewarded.
• Laos has land borders with Thailand, China, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Capital and main cities

• Vientiane
• Other main populated areas: Luang Prabang

Languages

• Laotian
• Some English
• Some French

Currency

• Kip
• US Dollars are also accepted in the cities.
• Currency converter

Visas (always check with your embassy)

• Visa required for UK Tourists.
• Can be obtained at the borders with Thailand or at the airport on arrival.
• Valid for 30 days or 90 days.
• Visas are around US$30 and you must have at least one passport photo to obtain your visa. Your passport must be valid for an additional 6 months after return date.

Foreign Office Advice

• Laos foreign office advice

Flights and accommodation

• Flight prices to Laos
• Hotel and hostel prices

Tours and day trips in Laos

• Laos Travel Plan - Design your own Laos Trip
• Responsible Travel in Laos - Trips and accommodation from the main backpacking routes to off-the-beaten track places.

This guide to travelling in Laos was contributed by Laos Travel Plan

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